Sport News
September 9, 2024 9:20 pm ET
LAS VEGAS – Chris Padilla beat Rong Zhu with a second-round TKO Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 242 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Padilla, who got the win thanks to a big hematoma on Zhu’s orbital bone caused from one of his elbows.
Chris Padilla def. Rong Zhu
Chris Padilla
Result: Chris Padilla def. Rong Zhu via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 4:14
Updated records: Padilla (15-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Zhu (25-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Key stats: Padilla has been a moderate underdog in both his UFC fights – both stoppage wins. He has 13 of his 15 wins by finish.
Padilla on the fight’s key moment
Chris Padilla
“The game plan was to be smart. I feel like every fighter has holes all over their game, but it’s, can you stay dialed in? Can you settle yourself down enough to see those holes? The first round, I was being a little too macho where I was like, ‘Oh, you think you’re better than me? OK, let’s get it then.’ But then when I went back to the corner, chilled out, my coach just talked to me like, ‘Hey, man – it’s going to be there. Just do your thing. Do what you’re good at.’
“I think I’m worth $50K, man. I know the first (UFC win) was like, ‘Maybe (that was bonus-worthy).’ But who’s doing it like that, man? Who? Who? Splitting somebody with an elbow, swelling their eye up? I think I really smashed his eye, personally. I felt that – excuse my language – b*tch mush.”
Padilla on being an underdog again
“Hey I don’t need (to be the favorite). They can keep their opinion. They can have whatever they want. My people back in the city just made so much money, and I love it. Please don’t put me (as the favorite) – I need the underdog spot. I need the disrespect. I love it.”
Padilla on what he wants next
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Maheshate of China punches Gabriel Benitez of Mexico in a lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on April 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“I’ll take whatever is given to me. It’s all blessings. (Hayisaer Maheshate) beat Gabriel Benitez last time. I thought he lost.”
To hear more from Padilla, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 242.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
