UFC Macau delivered an electrifying night of action, headlined by a high-stakes bantamweight clash between former champions Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo.
In the co-main event, China’s own Yan Xiaonan thrilled the home crowd in a pivotal strawweight bout against rising Brazilian star Tabatha Ricci, as both fighters aimed to solidify their places among the division’s elite.
Below we'll run through the biggest winners and losers from the event.
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UFC Macau full results & highlights
HIGHLIGHTS YOU MISSED From UFC Macau! 👊
Biggest winners of UFC Macau
Petr Yan is back to his best after UFC Macau win
Over the course of his career,
Petr Yan
has delivered some of the most memorable performances in UFC bantamweight history, from systematically dismantling all-time great Jose Aldo to putting on a striking clinic against Cory Sandhagen.
However, 2022 and 2023 marked a difficult chapter for Yan, as he endured the first losing streak of his career with setbacks against Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley, and Merab Dvalishvili. Even in his rebound win over Song Yadong in early 2024, Yan appeared tentative, a possible lingering effect of his lopsided loss to Dvalishvili, the current 135lb champion.
Against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau, Yan looked revitalized, delivering a performance reminiscent of his prime. From the opening bell, he was ruthlessly efficient, dominating in the clinch, executing his signature trip takedowns, and unleashing relentless pressure over the 25-minute bout.
Unsurprisingly, the judges awarded Yan a unanimous decision victory. With his confidence seemingly restored, the next step for 'No Mercy' appears clear, with
Merab Dvalishvili
already calling for a rematch on March 8 at UFC 313.
Yan Xiaonan shines in front of home crowd
Yan Xiaonan
has long been a standout in the UFC women’s strawweight division, renowned for her clean striking and relentless pace.
Fighting in front of her home crowd at UFC Macau, Xiaonan delivered one of the most complete performances of her career against rising contender Tabatha Ricci. From the opening bell, Xiaonan dictated the pace, repeatedly landing sharp combinations while expertly avoiding Ricci’s attempts to bring the fight to the mat. The Brazilian struggled to impose her game plan, making it a one-sided affair that clearly favored Xiaonan over three dominant rounds.
Following her victory, Xiaonan took the mic to call for a rematch with fellow countrywoman Weili Zhang. While the callout might seem ambitious, given Zhang’s comprehensive win over Xiaonan less than a year ago, the prospect of a title fight between the two in their home country is undeniably compelling.
Carlos Ulberg cements top contender status
Carlos Ulberg extended his UFC winning streak to seven with a composed and polished performance against light heavyweight veteran Volkan Oezdemir. Since falling short in his UFC debut against Kennedy Nzechukwu, Ulberg has shown remarkable growth, looking more impressive with each outing.
Facing his toughest test to date in Oezdemir, Ulberg showcased his striking precision and improved overall game, leaving no doubt about the outcome by the end of the fight.
Following his victory, Ulberg called for a matchup with former title challenger Khalil Rountree. The potential bout promises to be an all-action affair, with a spot in the 205lb division’s top 5 on the line.
Biggest losers of UFC Macau
Deiveson Figueiredo's dreams of a title run are quashed
While Deiveson Figueiredo certainly didn’t perform poorly against Petr Yan, it was clear by the end of the fight that the former flyweight champion would not emerge victorious.
Figueiredo’s transition to bantamweight had been nothing short of impressive, with wins over Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Marlon Vera showcasing his elite skill set. However, at 36 years old and competing in one of the UFC’s deepest divisions, the odds were always stacked against 'Deus da Guerra.'
As Figueiredo enters the latter stages of his career, he may find himself better suited for “legends” fights against his fellow former champions. With both José Aldo and Dominick Cruz still active, either could provide an intriguing matchup for the former flyweight king.
Petr Yan Octagon Interview | UFC Macau
Tabatha Ricci's flaws exposed
UFC Macau will not be an event Tabatha Ricci looks back on with pride.
The Brazilian strawweight entered the fight against Yan Xiaonan with high expectations, but from the opening bell, it was clear she was outclassed. Ricci struggled to find any success against Xiaonan’s relentless striking, and despite her best efforts to bring the fight to the ground, she couldn’t impose her game plan.
While this defeat undoubtedly stings, it will not define Ricci’s career. The 29-year-old has shown plenty of promise in the past, and her grappling and tenacity still make her a dangerous competitor in the division. A bounce-back matchup against Luana Pinheiro or a rematch with Lupita Godinez may well be Ricci’s next step in re-establishing herself in the women’s strawweight division.
Wang Cong's hype train is derailed
Wang Cong entered the UFC with a target on her back, bolstered by her rare achievement of defeating reigning women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in the kickboxing world. The expectation surrounding her was high, but her second UFC outing would not go as planned.
After starting strong against Gabriella Fernandes, Cong’s momentum was abruptly halted by a shocking head kick from her Brazilian opponent. Fernandes quickly capitalized, taking Cong's back and securing a rear-naked choke to seal the victory.
With her record now at 6-1, Cong’s UFC journey has hit a setback, but her potential remains undeniable. A matchup with fighters like Ivana Petrović or Dione Barbosa could serve as a solid test for the Chinese knockout artist as she looks to bounce back and establish herself in the flyweight division.
HIGHLIGHTS YOU MISSED From UFC Macau! 👊
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