Shi Ming’s Road to UFC win won’t soon be forgotten.
Following two rounds in which she struggled to out-strike the taller Feng Xiaocan, Shi landed an unbelievable knockout in the third round to become the first Road to UFC strawweight tournament winner. Shi earns a contract with the victory at Saturday’s UFC Macau show.
Watch video of the KO below.
MASSIVE HEADKICK K.O. FROM SHI MING #UFCMacau pic.twitter.com/Mi4ufMJ7Kh
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 23, 2024
Following the knockout, Feng remained on the canvas for several minutes. She was eventually carried out of the octagon on a stretcher.
Out of precaution, Feng Xiaocan will be transported to a nearby hospital after her defeat at #UFCMacau pic.twitter.com/SUJTenwwOg
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 23, 2024
Later in the broadcast, commentator John Gooden provided an update on Feng’s status. Feng was later responsive in the ambulance as she was taken to the hospital for a precautionary CT scan. She was able to move her limbs, though she was unaware what happened. The plan is for Feng to return home if she is cleared at the hospital, otherwise a member of the UFC medical staff will stay with her until she her situation improves.
Heading into this matchup, Shi was giving up five inches of height and six inches of reach to Feng and that disparity played out in real time. Though Feng didn’t have Shi in major danger through the first 10 minutes, she appeared to be on her way to a decision win if Shi didn’t turn the action around in the third.
And turn it around Shi did, ramping up the aggression and firing off the fateful head kick that instantly floored Feng. The official time of the stoppage was 0:46 into Round 3.
Shi improved to 17-5 as a pro and has now won 11 of her past 12 fights. In her post-fight interview, she said she was worried about Feng and hopes she’s OK.
