UFC Shanghai Recap: Gastelum KOs Bisping
Michael Bisping shocked the world a couple of weeks ago — not long after losing the UFC Middleweight Title to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217 — when he agreed to step in Anderson Silva’s place to take on Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of the UFC’s first-ever event in mainland China, taking place at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai.
Unfortunately for Bisping, his situation in Shanghai would be worse than his loss to GSP earlier this month. Gastelum knocked out Bisping in the first round for the biggest win of his UFC career.
Gastelum came out of his corner firing, Bisping forced him back and the two briefly exchanged in the center of the cage. Gastelum tried to force Bisping up against the cage, but the two get back to exchanging quickly. Gastelum noticeably landed some kicks to the body, while Bisping hit the American fighter with a number of counter-punches.
The end came when Bisping missed a punch combination, and Gastelum nailed the former champion on the button with a left hook, sending him to the ground out cold at the 2:30 mark.
Following the win, Gastelum used the post-match interview and conference time to call out interim middleweight champion Robert Whittaker for a bout in Australia — especially now that Gastelum beat the man who was champion three weeks ago.
“You guys say I beat up all the elderly, and Robert Whittaker is definitely not an elderly, he’s probably my age, so I’m up for the challenge,” Whittaker said.
“Anything can happen in the sport of MMA, you know. I feel like Robert Whittaker and I should be next. We’re two young guys who haven’t even hit our prime yet, and I just beat the guy who was the guy so I think I should be next.”
UFC Shanghai Main Card Results:
Kelvin Gastelum def. Michael Bisping via KO (Rd. 1, 2:30)
Li Jingliang def. Zak Ottow via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:57)
Wang Guan def. Alex Caceres via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Alex Garcia def. Muslim Salikhov via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 2, 3:22)
UFC Shanghai Preliminary Card Results:
Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Sheymon Moraes via submission (anaconda choke) (Rd. 3, 4:30)
Kenan Song def. Bobby Nash via TKO (Rd. 1, 0:15)
Yan Ziaonan def. Kailian Curran via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Yadong Song def. Bharat Khandare via submission (front choke) (Rd. 1, 4:16)
Shamil Abdurakhimov def. Chase Shermon via KO (Rd. 1, 1:24)
Gina Mazany def. Yanan Wu via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Rolando Dy def. Wu Lijiburen via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Cyril Asker def. Yaozong Hu via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 2, 2:33)