“The Northern Tiger” Jian Long Yun submitted former WBA Super Featherweight champ Yodsanan Sityodtong in his promotional debut at ONE FC 3: War of the Lions, surprising the MMA circuit and of course, the crowd in attendance at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
But the China native’s toughest challenge only came in his next outing, when he was scheduled to take on the country’s unbeaten rising prospect, and former Legend FC Bantamweight champ, Jumabieke Tuerxun.
Asian MMA Throwback – RUFF 5: Jumabieke Tuerxun vs Jiang Long Yun
Tuerxun (14-0) vs. Yun (5-2-1) took place at RUFF 5, on September 8, 2012 at the People’s stadium in Hohhot, China.
Stakes were certainly high for both fighters heading into the bout. On one side of the RUFF cage, you had Jian Long Yun, a fighter competing on the heels of perhaps the biggest win of his career. And on the opposite corner, stood Jumabieke Tuerxun, labelled as one of the hottest commodities in China with a then unblemished record of 13-0.
Sure enough, on paper, the bout looked appealing. And in reality, the bout delivered one of the best knockouts in the organization’s history.
However, it wasn’t a back-and-forth encounter or a brawl as you’d might expect.
In the opening stages, the pace between both fighters was slow, and it was more of a feeling out process for both combatants, as they figured out their range and such. Yun had his hands down for prolonged periods of the 135-lbs tilt, but kept his distance and made it difficult for Tuerxun to land a shot. At about the 30 second mark, Yun shot for a takedown which was easily stuffed by his opponent. Needless to say, Tuerxun probably anticipated that prior to the start of the bout.
As the round progressed, a powerful leg kick was landed by Tuerxun around the 3:31 mark and it was fairly evident that both fighters were utilizing their jabs/leading left hand more than anything else up to that point.
The finish came at 3:20, when Tuerxun delivered a vicious left hand that caught his opponent clean on the chin. It was poetry in motion to say the very least, and Tuerxun deservedly took the plaudits for executing a well-timed knockout.
Jumabieke Tuerxun is now a member of the UFC roster, having announced a deal with the promotion back in March. He is just the second fighter from China to have inked a deal with the organization, as he looks to follow in the footsteps of fellow countryman, Zhang Tie Quan.
Jian Long Yun, in the meantime, was last seen at RUFF 7, where he picked up his first victory under the promotion’s banner with a Unanimous Decision win over Han Jie.
Check out the full fight video for Tuerxun-Yun below:
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