Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Rong Zhu See More
The sharpest MMA bets, top DFS picks across multiple sites, and predictions for this weekend's UFC Vegas 97 card are live on RotoWire before Saturday's event.
The top MMA betting and DFS plays for this weekend's UFC Vegas 97 card are up, with full fight breakdowns feat betting and lineup strategy, as well as predictions for the entire event.
The top MMA betting picks are live on RotoWire. Check out UFC Vegas 97 predictions for a favorite, an underdog, a prop & a parlay for bettors to consider Saturday.
UFC Vegas 97 takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
More Fantasy News
Loses after massive weight miss
Rong lost to Ignacio Bahamondes via submission (Brabo choke) at 1:40 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Rong is one of the youngest fighters on the UFC roster and won't turn 22 years of age until early next month, but this was his second straight weight miss, and the company brass typically has little patience for that type of stuff. Rong checked in at 160 pounds -- four pounds over the lightweight limit -- on Friday morning and then handed over 40 percent of his purse to Bahamondes in order for the fight to proceed. If that's not bad enough, he was dominated for the duration of the bout before being choked out early in Round 3. You can dream on Rong's potential because of his age, but nothing else matters until he gets his weight cutting issues under control. Perhaps the UFC will force him to move up to welterweight for his next fight.
Rong is one of the youngest fighters on the UFC roster and won't turn 22 years of age until early next month, but this was his second straight weight miss, and the company brass typically has little patience for that type of stuff. Rong checked in at 160 pounds -- four pounds over the lightweight limit -- on Friday morning and then handed over 40 percent of his purse to Bahamondes in order for the fight to proceed. If that's not bad enough, he was dominated for the duration of the bout before being choked out early in Round 3. You can dream on Rong's potential because of his age, but nothing else matters until he gets his weight cutting issues under control. Perhaps the UFC will force him to move up to welterweight for his next fight.
Fight going on minus some money
Zhu will forfeit 40 percent of his purse for Saturday's bout versus Ignacio Bahamondes but the fight will go on as scheduled, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Zhu missed weight by four pounds even with the one-pound buffer for non-title fights, so this was a pretty big miss. He'll forfeit a large chunk of his purse as a result and it certainly won't help his chances of staying in the promotion considering it's his second time missing weight in just three UFC bouts.
Zhu missed weight by four pounds even with the one-pound buffer for non-title fights, so this was a pretty big miss. He'll forfeit a large chunk of his purse as a result and it certainly won't help his chances of staying in the promotion considering it's his second time missing weight in just three UFC bouts.
Misses weight again
Rong missed weight Friday ahead of his upcoming fight against Ignacio Bahamondes, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rong tipped the scales at 160 pounds, four pounds above the limit for a non-title lightweight bout. That marks the second time he's come in overweight in his last three fights. If the fight proceeds as scheduled, he'll likely be forced to surrender a portion of his purse.
Rong tipped the scales at 160 pounds, four pounds above the limit for a non-title lightweight bout. That marks the second time he's come in overweight in his last three fights. If the fight proceeds as scheduled, he'll likely be forced to surrender a portion of his purse.
Booked again in February
Rong (thumb) is scheduled to take on Ignacio Bahamondes in a lightweight matchup at the UFC event scheduled for Feb. 26, CC Legaspi of ESPN Deportes reports.
ANALYSIS
Rong evened out his UFC record at 1-1 back in September, but there's a bit of an asterisk here, as he missed weight for the fight. He was also dealt a lengthy medical suspension afterwards due to a thumb injury, but it appears he's gained the proper clearance. He'll now take on an opponent in Bahamondes with massive height and reach advantages, who also sports a 1-1 mark in the UFC. Zhu will have to rely heavily on his wrestling to close the distance and bring this fight to a more advantageous position.
Rong evened out his UFC record at 1-1 back in September, but there's a bit of an asterisk here, as he missed weight for the fight. He was also dealt a lengthy medical suspension afterwards due to a thumb injury, but it appears he's gained the proper clearance. He'll now take on an opponent in Bahamondes with massive height and reach advantages, who also sports a 1-1 mark in the UFC. Zhu will have to rely heavily on his wrestling to close the distance and bring this fight to a more advantageous position.
Dealt six-month medical ban
Rong has been suspended for 180 days or until his left thumb is cleared by a doctor, Farah Hannoun of MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rong emerged victorious via TKO (punches) gains Brandon Jenkins on Saturday but picked up a thumb injury along the way. He'll be sidelined until late March unless cleared by a doctor before then.
Rong emerged victorious via TKO (punches) gains Brandon Jenkins on Saturday but picked up a thumb injury along the way. He'll be sidelined until late March unless cleared by a doctor before then.