One UFC Shanghai fighter was beaten so badly that fans are even questioning his status as a fighter.
Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back overseas, with the latest UFC Fight Night taking place inside the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in China on August 23.
The event’s preliminary card delivered plenty of memorable action, from Charles Johnson’s comeback knockout to Kyle Daukaus’ 43-second finish against Michel Pereira.
But the latter of those brutal endings was surprisingly not the fastest stoppage of the night. That crown instead went to one of the host nation’s own, who put his opponent’s lights out in rapid fashion.
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Westin Wilson flatlined in just 37 seconds by Yizha at UFC Shanghai
After wins for Kyrgyzstan and South Korea kicked things off, Asia went 3-0 to start the card when China got on the board courtesy of Yizha. The Road to UFC winner was making his second Octagon appearance after losing to Gabriel Santos in his debut last September.
In front of his home fans, the 28-year-old bounced back in style with a devastating burst out of the gates, the victim of which was America’s Westin Wilson.
The 36-year-old Californian has struggled in the UFC, losing two of his three fights prior to Saturday’s card. That run had left many questioning his ability to compete on the sport’s biggest stage, and his performance in Shanghai did little to quash such talk.
Wilson was knocked out in just 37 seconds, as Yizha’s nasty two-punch combo crumpled him against the cage before a brutal follow-up shot finished the job as the referee stepped in.
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Westin Wilson comes under fire from UFC fans after suffering 10th career defeat
It did not take long for MMA fans to give their two cents on Wilson’s latest defeat, which has left the 36-year-old with a 17-10 pro record.
The American featherweight was the victim of the usual mockery that comes with a quick defeat, with some going as far as to call him the UFC’s “worst fighter.”
“Brother got sent back home after a 15-hour flight.”
“Worst fighter on the roster. That was horrible.”
“I think Westin Wilson is a fighter some normal UFC fans could actually beat in a fight.”
“Where is his defense, legit don’t understand.”
“The matchmaker who made this fight wanted bro to get murdered in there.”
“Cans like this guy being on the roster while the UFC cuts actually entertaining and talented fighters is what’s wrong with this organization.”
The UFC’s decision not to re-sign Muhammad Mokaev and controversially release the likes of Martin Buday have been widely criticized in recent times.