Hong vs Zhu, Kamikubo vs Jieleyisi, Maruyama vs Kim Fight Picks – Road to UFC – Shanghai Quarterfinals 3 – May 28, 2023

Zhu Rong vs Sung Chan Hong

• Zhu Rong
• Age: 23
• Pro Record: 22-5
• UFC Record: 1-2
• Key Wins: Knocked out a well rounded 6-1 fighter, a well rounded 7-2 fighter, and a well rounded 15-5 fighter. Submitted a 19-4 grappler.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: above average (60)

• Sung Chan Hong
• Age: NA
• Pro Record: 9-1
• Key Wins: Knocked out an 8-1 grappler.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: fringe average (45)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

Zhu has a big advantage coming into this fight being that he’s had 3 UFC fights already. I like Zhu here because he’s going to have a lot more power and could get some take downs.

Chris’ Pick: Zhu by 1st round knockout.

What I think the odds should be: Zhu -175

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Shuya Kamikubo vs Jieleyisi Baergeng

• Shuya Kamikubo
• Age: 30
• Pro Record: 12-1-1
• Key Wins: Submitted a 7-2 grappler and a 7-2 striker. Knocked out a well rounded 9-3 fighter. Beat a 5-2 wrestler and a well rounded 14-3 fighter.
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: fringe average (45)
• Wrestling: a little above average (55)

• Jieleyisi Baergeng
• Age: NA
• Pro Record: 12-3
• Striking: average (50)
• Power: average (50)
• Grappling: average (50)

I watched Kamikubo take on a 7-2 wrestler and I was expecting more from Kamikubo. They decided to wrestle the whole fight and it really went back and forth the whole time. But, I will say the one thing he did that impressed me was his cardio, the fact that he wrestled the entire fight and didn’t gas out. I think he uses that pace to tire Jieleyisi out to win here.

Chris’ Pick: Kamikubo by decision.

What I think the odds should be: Kamikubo -150

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Kazuma Maruyama vs Sang Wook Kim

• Kazuma Maruyama
• Age: 30
• Pro Record: 11-6
• Key Losses: Knocked out by a 15-16 striker. Lost to a 14-6 wrestler. Split decision loss to a 6-6 wrestler.
• Striking: average (50)
• Power: average (50)
• Wrestling: fringe average (45)

• Sang Wook Kim
• Age: NA
• Pro Record: 8-2
• Striking: average (50)
• Power: average (50)
• Wrestling: average (50)
• Grappling: fringe average (45)

I wasn’t that impressed when I watched Maruyama. Could be a close fight, but I think Kim will get enough take downs to win.

Chris’ Pick: Kim by decision.

What I think the odds should be: Kim -150

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Long Xiao vs Shohei Nose

• Long Xiao
• Age: 25
• Pro Record: 24-7
• UFC Record: 0-1
• Key Wins: Submitted a 5-0 striker. Beat a well rounded 5-1 fighter and a 5-1 grappler.
• Striking: above average (60)
• Power: average (50)
• Wrestling: above average (60)
• Grappling: average (50)

• Shohei Nose
• Age: 25
• Pro Record: 10-3-2
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Grappling: above average (60)

The fight didn’t last long, but I got to give credit for how he did in his fight with a potential title contender in Rinya Nakamura. Striking was close to equal and he even looked okay in the brief grappling exchange they had. Long really outpeformed the market when he fought on the Contender. His opponent Cristian Quinonez came into the fight as a -575, but the wrestling and striking was close to equal. Close fight, I think Long lands more and wins but he has to watch out for Nose’s power.

Chris’ Pick: Long by decision.

What I think the odds should be: Long -135

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Chris Hofmann vs Sang Hoon Yoo

• Chris Hofmann
• Age: 33
• Pro Record: 8-1
• Striking: a little above average (55)
• Power: a little above average (55)
• Wrestling: average (50)

• Sang Hoon Yoo
• Age: 33
• Pro Record: 7-2
• UFC Record: 0-1
• Key Wins: Beat a well rounded 15-6 fighter.
• Striking: average (50)
• Power: average (50)
• Wrestling: average (50)

Yoo has already fought UFC quality competition. Lost to Peter Barrett on the Contender. And then was knocked out by Andre Fialho. Hofmann should have the better striking here.

Chris’ Pick: Hofmann by 2nd round knockout.

What I think the odds should be: Hofmann -200