Following UFC Fight Night 225, the promotion turned its focus to spotlighting rising Asian MMA talent with Road to UFC. The tournament semifinals took place Sunday morning at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore, featuring four weight classes of UFC hopefuls.
The winners of the semifinal bouts advance to the finals which will take place later in 2023 on a date yet to be determined. A UFC contract will be awarded to the winners of the tournament.
The Road to UFC event was split into two fight cards featuring eight tournament bouts and one non-tournament contest.
Road to UFC Episode 5 results include:
- Kaiwen Li def. Kouya Kanda via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – featherweight semifinal bout
- Jiniushiyue def. Seung Guk Choi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 20-27) – flyweight semifinal bout
- Yi Zha def. Sang Won Kim via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – featherweight semifinal bout
- Rei Tsuruya def. Mark Climaco via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-27) – flyweight semifinal bout
- Nyamjargal Tumendemberel def. Peter Danesoe via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:02
Road to UFC Episode 6 results include:
- Shin Haraguchi def. Jae Hyun Park via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – lightweight semifinal bout
- Chang Ho Lee def. Daermisi Zhawupasi via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:35 – bantamweight semifinal bout
- Rong Zhu def. Sang Uk Kim via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28) – lightweight semifinal bout
- Long Xiao def. Shuya Kamikubo via majority decision (29-28, 29-27, 28-28) – bantamweight semifinal bout
The tournament final matchups are now set, with each winner awarded a UFC contract:
- Flyweight: Jiniushiyue vs. Rei Tsuruya
- Bantamweight: Chang Ho Lee vs. Long Xiao
- Featherweight: Kaiwen Li vs. Yi Zha
- Lightweight: Shin Haraguchi vs. Rong Zhu
Check out more details about each fight below.
Nyamjargal Tumendemberel vs. Peter Danesoe
Result: Nyamjargal Tumendemberel def. Peter Danesoe via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:02
Records: Nyamjargal Tumendemberel (8-0), Peter Danesoe (6-3)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Thomas Fann
NO LET UP FROM NYAMJARGAL TUMENDEMBEREL TO END IT 💥😳
Now THAT'S how you kick off the #RoadToUFC semifinals!!! pic.twitter.com/2jwJtLzkUo
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
Rei Tsuruya vs. Mark Climaco
Result: Rei Tsuruya def. Mark Climaco via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-27) – flyweight semifinal bout
Records: Rei Tsuruya (8-0), Mark Climaco (9-2)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Kevin Sataki
Judging: Howie Booth (29-27), Luke Hill (30-27), David Lethaby (29-28)
Rei Tsuruya earns the nod from all three judges to secure his spot in the finals 🙌🇯🇵
Tune in LIVE to watch #RoadToUFC on @UFCFightPass! pic.twitter.com/4CMA584ppx
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
Yi Zha vs. Sang Won Kim
Result: Yi Zha def. Sang Won Kim via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – featherweight semifinal bout
Records: Yi Zha (24-4), Sang Won Kim (10-6-1)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: Mark Collett (29-28), Vito Paolillo (29-28), Clemens Werner (29-28)
These guys are just letting it fly ✈️ #RoadToUFC pic.twitter.com/uSN10Il4zs
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
A clean sweep from the judges 🧹🧹🧹
🇨🇳 Yi Zha is officially advancing to the #RoadToUFC finals! pic.twitter.com/5YJXQnBaQl
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
Jiniushiyue vs. Seung Guk Choi
Result: Jiniushiyue def. Seung Guk Choi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 20-27) – flyweight semifinal bout
Records: Jiniushiyue (13-2), Seung Guk Choi (7-3)
Division: Flyweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Mark Craig
Judging: Ben Cartlidge (30-27), Luke Hil (30-27), David Lethaby (30-27)
3️⃣0️⃣-2️⃣7️⃣ across the board for Jiniushiyue 🇨🇳 #RoadToUFC pic.twitter.com/VbdRzXCzjk
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
Kaiwen Li vs. Kouya Kanda
Result: Kaiwen Li def. Kouya Kanda via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – featherweight semifinal bout
Records: Kaiwen Li (12-5), Kouya Kanda (12-5)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Kevin Sataki
Judging: Howie Booth (29-28), Vito Paolillo (30-27), Clemens Werner (29-28)
Went the full 15 minutes to earn his spot 💪
🇨🇳 Kaiwen is locked in for the Season 2 #RoadToUFC finals!
Keep up with the action LIVE on @UFCFightPass! pic.twitter.com/75kj5deJhU
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
Long Xiao vs. Shuya Kamikubo
Result: Long Xiao def. Shuya Kamikubo via majority decision (29-28, 29-27, 28-28) – bantamweight semifinal bout
Records: Long Xiao (26-7), Shuya Kamikubo (13-2-1)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Marc Goddard
Judging: Howie Booth (29-28), Ben Cartlidge (28-28), Clemens Werner (29-27)
🇨🇳 Xiao Long is victorious!
He has officially secured his spot in the #RoadToUFC finals 💢
Tune in for more action LIVE on @UFCFightPass! pic.twitter.com/zXmGd9KMI1
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
Rong Zhu vs. Sang Uk Kim
Result: Rong Zhu def. Sang Uk Kim via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28) – lightweight semifinal bout
Records: Rong Zhu (24-5), Sang Uk Kim (9-3)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Thomas Fan
Judging: Mark Collett (29-28), David Lethaby (29-28), Vito Paolillo (30-26)
Victory is sweet for Zhu Rong here in Singapore 🙌
That UD is taking him to the #RoadToUFC finals! pic.twitter.com/HWSozVvFAU
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
Chang Ho Lee vs. Daermisi Zhawupasi
Result: Chang Ho Lee def. Daermisi Zhawupasi via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:35 – bantamweight semifinal bout
Records: Chang Ho Lee (9-1), Daermisi Zhawupasi (7-1)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Kevin Sataki
🇰🇷 ChangHo Lee turning the tables late in R3!!! 🔄🔄🔄 #RoadToUFC pic.twitter.com/r9LOV0r8wK
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
Korea fans, stand up!! 🇰🇷
🔒 ChangHo Lee locks in his spot in the finals for #RoadToUFC!
Tune in to watch the final bout of the #RoadToUFC semifinals NEXT on @UFCFightPass 📺 pic.twitter.com/KFBgIymqFd
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
Shin Haraguchi vs. Jae Hyun Park
Result: Shin Haraguchi def. Jae Hyun Park via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – lightweight semifinal bout
Records: Shin Haraguchi (7-0), Jae Hyun Park (6-2)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Referee: Mark Craig
Judging: Mark Collett (29-28), Vito Paolillo (29-28), Clemens Werner (30-27)
Going home with the W to close things out in Singapore! 💪
🇯🇵 Japan's @HaraguchiShin is heading to the finals in the lightweight division for #RoadToUFC! pic.twitter.com/1XIQakuKd8
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
