The Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation (RUFF) returns to Hongkou Indoor Stadium in Shanghai, China later this month on March 29th for its 12th installment.
RUFF 12 will play host to fighters all over the globe, including Russia, Philippines, Mongolia, as well as local Chinese fighters. This of course comes as part of the promotion’s efforts to improve the RUFF brand itself and Chinese Mixed Martial Arts in general, as it continues to expand its roster and develop fighters.
Former UFC vet Azamat Gashimov to headline RUFF 12 opposite Lu Zhenhong
Officials confirmed the fight card with MMASucka.com on Wednesday.
Headlining the RUFF 12 fight card is Lu Zhenhong (7-2), who will be facing off against promotional RUFF newcomer, and former UFC vet, Azamat Gashimov (11-3). Lu Zhenhong, known for his illusive and technical game, is coming off of a remarkable five-fight win streak, three of which ending in finishes. Gashimov, meanwhile, is coming off two consecutive set-backs against Ivan Menjivar and John Lineker under the UFC banner. This will be his first fight, post-Zuffa.
In the co-main event, the Chinese MMA star Wang Guan (12-1-1) looks to get back in the win column when he locks horns with an experienced Muay Thai turned MMA fighter, Jerson Estoro (5-2). Guan, 27, is regarded as one of China’s best Featherweights. The Xian Sports University native suffered the first setback of his career at RUFF 11, and saw a ten-fight win streak snapped. Estoro, meanwhile, makes his promotional debut on the heels of a 3-2 run in his past five outings.
Also on the main card, and coming off of an impressive win over 2012 125-lbs champ Zhang Meixuan, is the always exciting Amu RiJiRiGaLa(10-3), another of China’s top MMA prospects. The China Top Team staple will put his three-fight submission win streak on the line against Mongolian RUFF newcomer, Danaa Batgerel (4-1).
Song Yadong (2-0) vs. Baasankhuu Damlanpurev (7-0) at Bantamweight, and Wu Haotian (17-5-1) vs. Kuat Khamitov (6-3) at 155-lbs make up the rest of the main card.
The prelims, meanwhile, will showcase six intriguing match-ups to start off the night. A Bantamweight battle ensues between Zhao Yafei and Galindez Ereneo, while the event will begin with Flyweights Yang Jianbing vs. Yuanye. WulaliBieke Baheibieke vs. Otgontulga Rentsen, Shang Zhifa vs. Shamil Magomedov, He Nannan vs. WuLiJiBuren, and Alateng Heili vs. Tom Ni completes the RUFF 12 line-up.
Be sure to keep it locked to MMASucks.com for more updates leading up to fight night later this month.
Here’s recap of the line-up:
MAIN CARD
- Azamat Gashimov vs. Lu Zhenhong
- Jerson P Estoro vs. Wang Guan
- Danaa Batgerel vs. Amu Rijirigala
- Baasankhuu Damlanpurev vs. Song Yadong
- Kuat Khamitov vs. Wu Haotian
PRELIMS
- Galindez Ereneo vs. Zhao Yafei
- Otgontulga Rentsen vs. WulaliBieke Baheibieke
- Shamil Magomedov vs. Shang Zhifa
- WuLiJiBuren vs. He Nannan
- Alateng Heili vs. Tom Ni
- Yang Jianbing vs. Yuanye
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