China has become a breeding ground for elite MMA fighters in recent decades. These athletes are honed through systematic training, resulting in well-rounded competitors who combine agility, strength, and technical skill. Today, we’ll explore some of the standout fighters who hail from China.
1) “Magnum” Weili Zhang
Weili “Magnum” Zhang is a Chinese mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s strawweight division. Born on August 13, 1989, in Handan, Hebei, China, Zhang began her martial arts training in Sanda, a Chinese combat sport, at a young age.
Zhang made her professional MMA debut in 2013 and quickly rose through the ranks, competing in various regional promotions in China. Her impressive performances caught the attention of the UFC, and she signed with the promotion in 2018.
In the UFC, Zhang has compiled an impressive record of 21 wins and 3 losses. She is known for her powerful striking, excellent grappling skills, and relentless pace. Zhang has earned 8 wins by knockout, 5 by submission, and 8 by decision.
Zhang’s most notable achievement in the UFC was winning the women’s strawweight championship in 2019 by defeating Jessica Andrade. She held the title for 679 days, the longest reign in UFC women’s strawweight history, before losing it to Rose Namajunas in 2021.
2) Yadong “Kung Fu Kid” Song
Song Yadong, known as “The Kung Fu Kid,” is a Chinese mixed martial artist competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight division. Born on December 2, 1997, in Hulan District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, Song was raised by a single mother and began training in Sanda martial arts at the age of nine. He transitioned to mixed martial arts at 13 and made his professional debut before his 16th birthday in 2012.
Song’s UFC debut came in 2017 against Bharat Khandare, which he won via submission in the first round. He has since accumulated a professional record of 21 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw, with 9 knockout victories and 3 submissions.
Song is currently affiliated with Team Alpha Male and fights out of Sacramento, California. He has won three of his last five fights, including a main-event victory against Ricky Simon by TKO in the fifth round at UFC Fight Night.
As of August 2023, Song is ranked #7 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
3) “The Leech” Jingliang Li
Jingliang Li, nicknamed “The Leech”, is a Chinese professional mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Li has been competing in the UFC since 2014 and has established himself as a fan-favorite due to his exciting fighting style and relentless pressure.
Li was born in Heilongjiang, China, and began training in wrestling at a young age. He later transitioned to mixed martial arts and made his professional debut in 2010. After amassing an impressive record on the Asian MMA circuit, Li signed with the UFC in 2014.
Since joining the UFC, Li has faced some of the top welterweights in the promotion, including Neil Magny, Jake Matthews, and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. Despite facing tough competition, Li has consistently delivered exciting performances and has earned several post-fight bonuses for his efforts.
In addition to his success in the UFC, Li has also been involved in various charitable initiatives, including supporting underprivileged children in China and promoting the growth of MMA in his home country.
4) “Nine” Xiaonan Yan
Xiaonan Yan, nicknamed “Nine”, is a Chinese mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s strawweight division.
Born in Shenyang, Liaoning, China in 1989, Yan began training in Taekwondo from a young age before transitioning to Sanda, a Chinese martial art. She made her professional MMA debut in 2010 and competed in various regional promotions in China, including Kunlun Fight, before signing with the UFC in 2017.
In the UFC, Yan has compiled a 14-3 record with 1 no contest, including notable wins over Viviane Pereira, Claudia Gadelha, and Jessica Andrade. She has earned 8 wins by knockout and 8 first-round finishes. Yan’s aggressive striking style and well-rounded skillset have made her one of the top contenders in the women’s strawweight division.
Outside of fighting, Yan holds a bachelor’s degree from the Xi’an Physical Education Institute. She trains out of Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California.
5) “The Tibetan Eagle” Sumudaerji
Sumudaerji, nicknamed “The Tibetan Eagle,” is a Chinese mixed martial artist competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight division. Born on January 20, 1996, in Tibet, she began her martial arts training in Sanda, a Chinese martial art. Sumudaerji made her professional MMA debut in 2016 and has since compiled a 13-4 record with 10 knockouts and 3 losses.
She is known for her striking skills, particularly her powerful left hand, which earned her the nickname “laser beam.” Sumudaerji has trained under UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber and Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California, where she has honed her skills in ground fighting and jabbing.
Sumudaerji has faced notable opponents such as Tim Elliott, Matt Schnell, and Malcolm Gordon, and has won several fights by knockout. She is currently on a two-fight losing streak, having lost to Tim Elliott and Matt Schnell in her last two matches.
Sumudaerji’s career has been marked by her aggressive fighting style and her ability to finish fights quickly. She is considered one of the top prospects in the bantamweight division and continues to train and improve her skills to compete at the highest level.
6) “The Mongolian Knight” Alatengheili Alateng
Alatengheili, nicknamed “The Mongolian Knight,” is a Chinese mixed martial artist of Mongol ethnicity who competes in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Born on December 14, 1991, in Alxa, Inner Mongolia, China, Alatengheili started wrestling in school, following in his father’s footsteps. He was later spotted by a talent scout and invited to join a team in Beijing, where he developed an interest in MMA.
Alatengheili made his professional MMA debut in 2013 and compiled a 12-7-1 record in various Asian organizations, including Road FC, before signing with the UFC in 2019.
In the UFC, Alatengheili has faced notable opponents such as Danaa Batgerel, Ryan Benoit, Casey Kenney, Gustavo Lopez, Kevin Croom, Chad Anheliger, and Chris Gutiérrez. He has earned 5 wins by knockout, 3 by submission, and 8 by decision, while suffering 3 KO losses, 1 submission loss, and 5 decision losses.
Alatengheili trains out of Fight Ready MMA in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. He stands at 5’6″ (168 cm) with a reach of 66.5″ (169 cm). His notable accomplishments include a Fight of the Night award for his debut fight against Danaa Batgerel.
7) Rongzhu
Rongzhu is a Chinese mixed martial artist competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight division.
Born in China, Rongzhu began his martial arts training in Sanda, a Chinese combat sport. He made his professional MMA debut in 2013 and has since compiled an impressive record of 25 wins and 5 losses.
In the UFC, Rongzhu has faced several notable opponents, including Dakota Bush. He is known for his well-rounded skillset and has earned wins by knockout, submission, and decision.
Rongzhu trains out of a gym in China and represents his country in the UFC. He is considered one of the top Chinese prospects in the bantamweight division and continues to work on improving his skills to compete at the highest level.
8) Kenan “The Assassin” Song
Kenan Song, nicknamed “The Assassin,” is a Chinese mixed martial artist competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight division.
Born on March 10, 1990, in Tangshan, Hebei, China, Song began his martial arts training at a young age. He holds a degree from Xi’an Physical Education University and represents Kill Cliff FC.
With a professional MMA record of 21 wins and 8 losses, Song is known for his well-rounded skillset and aggressive fighting style. He has earned 9 wins by knockout, 9 by submission, and 3 by decision.
In the UFC, Song has faced notable opponents such as Max Griffin. He stands at 6’0″ (182 cm) with a reach of 71.5″ (182 cm) and last competed at 170.5 lbs (77 kg).
9) “The Mongolian Murderer” Aoriqileng
Aori Qileng, known as “The Mongolian Murderer,” is a Chinese mixed martial artist competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight division. Born on June 25, 1993, in Xilingol, Inner Mongolia, China, Aori grew up in a nomadic lifestyle as a herder. He began his martial arts training in Sanda under the guidance of coach Zhao Xuejun at Xi’an Sports Institut
Aori’s early career was marked by success in various regional championships, including the 2012 Inner Mongolia National Games, the 2013 Inner Mongolia Sanshou Tournament, and the 2014 Fight King Tournament. He won the gold belt in the Sino-French King of Fighters Match 61 kg four-way tournament in December 2016.
In the UFC, Aori has compiled a record of 25 wins and 10 losses, with notable victories over Cameron Else and Johnny Muñoz Jr. He has earned 7 wins by knockout, 2 by submission, and 16 by decision. Aori trains out of Xin-Du Martial Arts Club and Fight Ready MMA.
Aori’s aggressive fighting style and impressive record have earned him a reputation as a formidable opponent in the bantamweight division. He continues to train and improve his skills to compete at the highest level in the UFC.
10) Shayilan “Wolverine” Nuerdanbieke
Shayilan Nuerdanbieke, known as “Wolverine,” is a professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer from Mongolia. Born on May 4, 1994, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Shayilan’s early childhood was marked by economic struggles and a need to help his family make ends meet. His parents immigrated to the United States when he was four years old, and he grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, where he discovered his passion for martial arts at the age of 11 through Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Shayilan’s determination and hard work led him to win his first amateur Muay Thai championship belt in 2017, which opened doors for him in the fight world. He signed with Glory Kickboxing World Series (GKWS) and later transitioned to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). In 2019, he made his UFC debut against Tumenulzei Battur at UFC Fight Night 143: Cejudo vs Dillashaw, earning a unanimous decision victory.
Shayilan has since faced notable opponents like Miguel Baeza, Jun Yong Park, Curtis Blaydes, and Donald Cerrone. He has compiled a professional record of 39 wins and 11 losses, with notable victories by knockout, submission, and decision. Outside the octagon, Shayilan is known for his humility and confidence, often preaching about personal growth and development, as well as mindful living practices.
Shayilan continues to train and improve his skills, currently competing in the featherweight division of the UFC. His next fight is highly anticipated, as he faces Roman Dolidze in a matchup that promises to be an exciting display of skill and athleticism.
