UFC bantamweight (61.2 kg) fighter “Mr. Perfect” Kang Kyung Ho (35) predicted Lee Chang Ho (29)’s entry into the UFC. “I think Lee will win ROAD TO UFC with his sticky grappling,” he predicted.
Lee faces Daelmis Jaufas (23, China) in the bantamweight semifinals of ROAD TO UFC Season 2 on Aug. 27 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
ROAD TO UFC is a quarterfinal tournament featuring Asia’s top prospects competing for a UFC contract. The semifinals will culminate fight week with “UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Korean Zombie” on Aug. 26 at the same venue.
Lee’s long game is ground-and-pound, where he relentlessly takes his opponents to the ground and lands punches from top position. He has been nicknamed “Ant Hell” because once caught, there is no escaping.
In the opening round at UFC Performance Institute Shanghai in China on May 28, he takedowned Rana Rudra Pratap Singh (26, India) shortly after the bout began and finished with ground-and-pound at 3:52.
That’s why 11-year UFC veteran Kyung Ho Kang is predicting a win for Lee. Speaking about the semifinals, he said, “I’m really excited because both Lee Chang-ho and Daelmis Jaufas showed great ground games in the quarterfinals. I think it’s going to come down to a ground fight, but I think Lee has the stronger ground game and I think he’s going to win.”
Lee is a well-rounded fighter who also specializes in striking. Former UFC bantamweight fighter Takeya Mizugaki (39, Japan), who is now a UFC commentator in Japan, appreciates this. “Lee Chang-ho is a well-rounded fighter, and he can take advantage of his striking against Daelmis Zaupas,” he said, predicting that “Lee Chang-ho will make it to the final.”
However, Mizugaki analyzed that the fight could be decided on the ground, saying, “If Lee doesn’t have a striking advantage, the fight will be interesting.” “Personally, I’d like to see how Darmis Zoufas counters Lee’s ground and pound from the bottom position and how Lee deals with Darmis Zoufas’ submission attempts and scrambles,” he said.
Meanwhile, predictions for Lee’s final opponent were mixed. While Kang predicted Xiaolong (25, China) to make the final, Mizugaki favored Shuya Kamikubo (30, Japan).
Since its inception last year, ROAD TO UFC has produced seven UFC signees, including Park Hyun Sung (27) and Lee Jung Young (27), making it a clear pathway to the UFC for MMA talent in Asia. The two senior fighters who previewed the semifinals welcomed the change.
South Korean bantamweight fighter Kang Kyung-ho said, “The path to the UFC used to be unclear. But now that there are regular tournaments, it’s a great motivator for the fighters and a lot of entertainment for the Asian fans.” 온라인바카라
“I think the UFC has created a fantastic format,” said Mizugaki, who has enjoyed a successful career ranked in the top five of the UFC’s bantamweight division. “I hope ROAD TO UFC will continue to be held on a regular basis, raising the level and popularity of MMA across Asia.”