MANILA, Philippines – The last UFC Fight Night event for 2023 confirmed to the world that Chinese superstar Yong Sadong is on the road to the UFC flyweight championship. The night too belonged to the Asian fighter.
Song Yadong was methodical in his five-round demolition of No. 15-ranked Chris Gutierrez. Using his experience and versatility, Song was able to fluster Gutierrez and control the pace from bell to bell.
Gutierrez stayed in the thick of it and controlled distance and was able to land some stinging shots and the occasional leg kick, but couldn’t string up anything to trouble or hurt the Chinese fighter.
While Song took a shot to his left eye, he was able to control and punish th e overmatched Gutierrez for the entire fight.
After the unanimous decision — the judges scored it 50-44, 50-45,and 50-45 — was read, Song said, “I really wanted to fight in China, that’s my home. It’s been four years. Thanks to Chris for taking the fight. In the top 15, no one else took the fight. I’m coming for the belt. Next one: Petr (Yan), sign the contract. Tomorrow I’m going back to train. To Chinese fans, I’m sorry I didn’t knock him out. This guy controlled the distance very well, I learned a lot from this fight.”
Two other Asian fighters also picked up imp ressive victories.
Road to UFC Season 1 flyweight winner Hyun Sung Park made his UFC debut with a patient and well-rounded game plan to overwhelm Shannon Ross with liver shots, punches and knees for the second round technical knockout.
Park remained undefeated and said, “My conditioning was off. I was taking it slow, trying to take my time. I was lucky tonight. That was just instinct. I hit him and the damage was there. I want to fight as much as I can.”
Japan phenom Tatsuro Taira remained undefeated against Carlos Hernandez with another incredible performance that ended with a finish, this time a TKO, his first in UFC. Taira said, “I’m very happy! I always ask for a ranker, it didn’t happen this time, but of course next time I should be ready for a ranker, right? Where’s (Muhammad) Mokaev?!”
The final UFC event for 2023, UFC 296, will be held on Sunday, December 17, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be televised live in the Philippines on the Premier Sports channel on Skycable and Cignal as well as on the Blast TV streaming application.
OTTAWA, Canada — A former Canadian chef accused of selling suicide kits that lead to deaths in several countries was charged Monday with 14 counts of murder related to suicides in Canada as a result of his online scheme.
The charges filed against Kenneth Law, 58, are on top of 14 he already faces for allegedly “counseling or aiding” suicides across Ontario province, according to documents.
His defense lawyer Matthew Gourlay also confirmed to AFP that Law has been charged with 14 new counts of second degree murder.
Law was arrested in May for marketing a substance that is used as a food additive but can kill if misused. He is said to have targeted vulnerable people online.
He is believed to have sent as many as 1,200 packages to people in more than 40 countries since 2020.
Toronto police are scheduled to brief the media on the new charges Tuesday.
In Britain, at least 272 people purchased products from Law’s websites and 88 of them died , police there have said.
Alerted by Interpol, several other countries have launched investigations, including New Zealand and Italy, where nine buyers have been identified and one victim has died.
The Canadian victims were both male and female between the ages of 16 an 36, according to police.
If you or someone you know needs help, the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline can be reached through the following hotlines: toll-free Luzon-wide landline (1553), Globe/TM (0966-351-4518 and 0917-899-8727), or Smart/Sun/TNT (0908-639-2672).