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LAS VEGAS – (autotag)Chris Padilla(/autotag) defeated Rong Zhu with a second-round technical knockout on Saturday to close out the UFC Fight Night 242 preliminary card at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Padilla, who earned the victory thanks to a large hematoma on Zhu’s orbital bone caused by one of his elbows.
Chris Padilla defeated Rong Zhu
Result: Chris Padilla defeated Rong Zhu by technical knockout (medical stoppage) – Round 2, 4:14
Updated records: Padilla (15-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Zhu (25-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Key statistics: Padilla has been a moderate underdog in his two UFC fights, both victories by stoppage. He has scored 13 of his 15 wins by finish.
Padilla on the key moment of the fight
“The game plan was to be smart. I feel like every fighter has holes in their whole game, but the thing is, can you stay focused? Can you calm yourself down enough to see those holes? In the first round, I was being a little too macho and I was like, ‘Oh, you think you’re better than me? Fine, let’s go for it. ‘ But then when I got back in the corner, I relaxed, my trainer just talked to me and said, ‘Hey, man, it’s going to be there. Just do your thing. Do what you’re good at. ‘
“I think I’m worth $50,000, man. I know the first one (UFC win) was like, ‘Maybe (that did deserve a bonus).’ But who’s doing it like that, man? Who? Who? Who? Someone who gets their eye poked out with their elbow? I think I really poked his eye out, personally. I felt that, pardon my language, like a bitch’s custard.”
Padilla on being the underdog again
“Hey, I don’t need (to be the favorite). They can have their opinion. They can have whatever they want. My people in town just made a lot of money and I love it. Please don’t make me (the favorite). I need the underdog spot. I need to be disrespected. I love it.”
Padilla on what he wants for the future
“I’ll take whatever they give me. They’re all blessings. (Hayisaer Maheshate) beat Gabriel Benitez last time. I thought I lost.”
To hear more from Padilla, watch the full post-fight interview video above.
For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub. UFC Fight Night 242.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Chris Padilla felt Rong Zhu’s orbital spin turn to mush under his elbow at UFC Fight Night 242
