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Who is Wang Cong?

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Who is Wang Cong?

As a seasoned gamer who’s witnessed the rise and fall of countless MMA fighters, I can confidently say that Wang Cong is one to keep an eye on. Having already knocked down a future UFC star like Valentina Shevchenko back in 2015, this undefeated Chinese mixed martial artist is ready to prove herself on the ultimate stage.

5-0 fighter Wang Cong, hailing from China, competes in the flyweight division of mixed martial arts. She secured a contract with UFC following her first-round victory over Paula Luna (5-3), achieved via guillotine choke during an extra tournament match on “Road to UFC”: Season three. Cong will make her official promotional debut against the experienced Victoria Leonardo (9-6) at UFC Vegas 96, taking place live from the APEX on August 24th.

32-year-old fighter Cong boasts an unbeaten record in mixed martial arts and is also a recognized kickboxer. In 2015, she defeated former flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (23-4-1) during their kickboxing match for the powerful Chinese promotion, Kunlun Fight. This victory earned Cong the Kunlun Fight Women’s lightweight title as Shevchenko went on to become a UFC star.

Defeating Shevchenko marked the beginning of Cong’s thriving martial arts journey, and now she gets her long-awaited opportunity in the ultimate test of skill. Cong stands at 5 feet 7 inches tall with a reach of 66 inches, and her fighting style is significantly impacted by Sanda and boxing. Despite being an exceptional striker, Cong showcases a versatile game within the Octagon with two submission victories under her belt. Three out of her five wins are finishes, so expect her to be aggressive in her upcoming fights.

Growing up as a kid born in Liaoning, China in ’92, I always had a passion for fighting. Fast forward to 2022, I turned that passion into a professional MMA career, battling it out across various Chinese regional promotions and even Kunlun. I’ve had the honor of defeating UFC veterans like Wu Yanan (13-7), and in 2023, I stepped into the octagon for UAE Warriors. My victories have marked me as a top Chinese prospect, earning me a spot on RTU. Now, I’m seizing this opportunity, demonstrating my finishing skills, and standing before a formidable challenge in the seasoned Leonardo.

Wang Cong will fight Victoria Leonardo for her debut at UFC Vegas 96

34-year-old Leonardo has had a varied career in the UFC since joining the organization following his impressive victory against Chelsea Hackett (4-3-1) at Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020. However, he currently stands at 1-3 with the promotion, having been TKO’d by Natalia Silva during UFC Vegas 73. Now, Leonardo is faced with a critical juncture as he takes on Cong; he needs to demonstrate that he can counteract the formidable newcomer.

Luckily, Leonardo is proficient in submission techniques, having secured four throughout her career. Beyond the UFC, she’s also gained extensive experience in MMA by competing for notable promotions such as LFA and Invicta. However, being careless on the ground and relinquishing positions in the hope that Cong is weak there might turn out to be a disadvantage, as it did with Luna during RTU. Cong has adapted well to MMA and has managed to secure submissions herself, so it will be intriguing to see how she performs against top-tier ground fighters in the UFC.

Fortunately for Cong, she appears to have an edge over Leonardo in MMA’s striking department, which might be a vulnerability that skilled kickboxer Leonardo could capitalize on. Keep an eye out for Cong to employ kicks, as head kicks have led to three of Leonardo’s stoppage defeats, with the latest against Silva and then notable contenders Manon Fiorot (12-1) and Erin Blanchfield (12-2). If Leonardo hasn’t made the necessary improvements during her time away from the cage, Cong could create a lot of trouble for her early in their match.

China consistently nurtures formidable MMA talent, particularly in women’s categories. Zhang Weili (25-3) has already clinched strawweight gold for the country. Could Cong be the next Chinese prospect to rise to stardom? She will aim to live up to expectations as she faces Leonardo in the UFC Vegas 96 undercard’s opening bout.

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2024-08-21 16:13

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