Press Release: January 5th 2013
In August 2011, RUFF (Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation) promoted its debut event RUFF: Genesis, ushering in a new era of MMA in China. While the promotion’s initial roster included a handful of Chinese MMA veterans, RUFF built its foundation on a commitment to help foster the next generation of China MMA.
With seven events now under its belt, RUFF has already seen returns on its efforts to nurture China’s future MMA stars, as a new crop of athletes have ascended up the promotional ranks. Flyweight Liu PingYuan, 19, is currently preparing to compete in the upcoming RMB 1,000,000 Super Fight on February 2, 2013, while bantamweight Lü ZhenHong, also 19, is riding a two-fight win streak, solidifying himself as a contender in years to come.
“I started [fighting] when I was only 16 years old,” stated Liu PingYuan. “I quit school because sitting in class was boring and I loved MMA.”
Having qualified for the Super Fight after his RUFF 6 win over Shang ZhiFa, Liu PingYuan looks back fondly of his decision to pursue professional MMA fulltime. But prior to the four-fight win streak that put him one victory away from becoming China’s first flyweight national champion, he faced familial pressures after dropping his first two bouts in the RUFF cage.
“My parents did not understand MMA,” added Liu. “They did not want me to train or fight, they were distressed with my decision.”
Defying his family’s request for him to hang up his four-ounce MMA gloves for good, Liu PingYuan continued to fight. In spite of the derision he, and his family, faced from ignoring the deep-rooted Chinese cultural virtue of respecting the wishes of his elders, Liu forged his way inside the RUFF cage, going on a remarkable tear, winning four consecutive contests, earning a ‘Submission of the Night’ for his armbar victory overYang Liang at RUFF 4, and his second ‘Fight of the Night’ for his split decision over Shang ZhiFa.
Lü ZhenHong’s climb up the RUFF bantamweight ladder has mirrored Liu’s in many respects. After dropping his first contest inside the RUFF cage, a split decision, ‘Fight of the Night’ loss at RUFF 5, Lü scored a win in his next matchup, defeating Bao YinNa at RUFF 6 via first round armbar, earning ‘Submission of the Night’ in the process.
“I only started to fight [in competition] this year,” stated Lü. “Once I heard about [MMA] I really thought I have the ability to fight . . . so I started training with a club.”
A former prospect and cornerman with the Ao HaiLin MMA Club in Beijing, Lü ZhenHong switched camps in 2012, moving to the TianJin K-1 MMA Club. With the help of K-1’s imported coaching staff from Thailand and Brazil, Lü ZhenHong quickly took his game to the next level, drastically improving his Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu skills.
Faced with the identical family pressures and criticism as Liu PingYuan, Lü ZhenHong continued to train and fight, finally earning acceptance from his relatives.
“When my parents first heard about me fighting they said ‘no way,’ they were scared that I would get hurt, they thought the sport was too rough,” offered Lü. “Now they’re used to it; they watch [my fights] online.”
Following his RUFF 6 victory, Lü ZhenHong returned to the RUFF cage to take on a more experienced foe, in ankle-lock specialist Cui LiuCai at RUFF 7. Out-boxing and out-striking Cui through two rounds, Lü ZhenHong was unable to finish his opponent, and ended up on the wrong side of one of the most vicious ground and pound assaults in RUFF history.
Absorbing a barrage of heavy elbows in the third round that would have made even the most experienced veteran tapout, Lü remained poised beyond his years, finding the ability to defend himself while Cui rained down blows. Withstanding the brutal attack, Lü completed the round and the fight, ultimately walking away with the unanimous decision win.
“One of the great things about doing this was the younger fighters . . . to see the kids, the younger guys, really come up,” commented RUFF CEO Joel Resnick at the RUFF 6 post-fight press conference. “We were right, we knew it was going to happen . . . so we’re really thrilled about it. When we can give a ‘Submission of the Night’ award to an 18 or 19 year old kid . . . that really shows the level is just coming up.”
For RUFF, Liu PingYuan’s success inside the cage served as a clear indication that the promotion’s efforts to develop young Chinese MMA talent are working, and with the recent rise of Lü ZhenHong from cornerman to feared contender, RUFF is confident that the next generation of Chinese MMA stars has arrived.
