Road To UFC Season 2 Semifinal Results: Eight finalists emerge from a night of thrilling action

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Eight fighters got one step closer to landing a UFC contract on Sunday (August 27) following victory in the Road To UFC Season 2 Semifinals at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore.

The Road To UFC Season 2 semifinal took place within 24 hours of a thrilling night of action in UFC Singapore 2023: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie, where Max Holloway claimed a stoppage as Chan Sung Jung bid emotional farewell to MMA.

The second season of the RTU, like the first year, rewards the winner with a contract in UFC. Eight finalists emerged from Asia's newest crop of up and coming talent who are looking to land a UFC contract at the end of the year. Here is a recap of RTU Season 2 Semifinals:

RTU Season 2 Flyweight Tournament

Decorated national wrestler Rei Tsuruya forced Mark Climaco on defense through three rounds, earning a unanimous decision. Jiniushiyue edged ahead in a tactical and efficient bout on the feet with Seung Guk Choi and won the win on the scorecards.

In the flyweight finals, Japan's Tsuruya and China's Ji will clash probably by the end of the year as Asia's top talents get a chance to land a contract at UFC for the second year in a row.

RTU Season 2 Bantamweight Tournament

Xiao Long versus Shuya Kamikubo was a classic striker versus grappler affair in which Xiao Long's late rally set the judges in his favor. ChangHo Lee was out-grappled at the start of his bout with Daermisi Zhawupasi, but turned the tables in the third and got the TKO stoppage with ground-and-pound.

China's Xiao Long versus South Korea's ChangHo Lee might be another styles-makes-fights type of match for the finals, which could take place by the end of the year.

RTU Season 2 Featherweight Tournament

Yizha's consistent pressure was the defining factor in getting the decision in an action-packed bout with SangWon Kim. Kaiwen and Koya Kanda proved to be an uncharacteristically clinical affair, making the judges decide the winner, Kaiwen. UFC Academy graduates from China, Yizha and Kaiwen, will square off in the finals.

RTU Season 2 Lightweight Tournament

Rongzhu looked UFC-caliber for the full fifteen minutes he put in against a game Sangwook Kim and checked off another win by decision. Shin Haraguchi's original opponent missed weight and Jae Hyun Park moved into place from a non-tournament bout, but Shin's trademark power-wrestling still prevailed.

With both having delivered aggressive bouts, the finals between China's Rongzhu and Japan's Shin should be a high-calibre affair. Opening the event, Mongolia's Nyamjargal Tumendemberel put on a completely overwhelming display against Thailand's Peter Danesoe, pummeling him before finishing with a rear naked choke.

Road To UFC Season 2 Semifinal Results

Flyweight Non Tournament Bout: Nyamjargal Tumendemberel defeats Peter Danesoe by Submission, Rear Naked Choke, Round 1, 1:02

Flyweight Semifinal Bout: Rei Tsuruya (30-27, 29-28, 29-27) defeats Mark Climaco by Unanimous Decision

Featherweight Semifinal Bout: Yizha (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) defeats SangWon Kim by Unanimous Decision

Flyweight Semifinal Bout: Jiniushiyue (30-27, 30-27, 20-27) defeats Seung Guk Choi by Unanimous Decision

Featherweight Semifinal Bout: Li Kaiwen (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) defeats Koya Kanda by Unanimous Decision

Bantamweight Semifinal Bout: Xiao Long (29-28, 29-27, 28-28) defeats Shuya Kamikubo by Majority Decision

Lightweight Semifinal Bout: Rongzhu (30-26, 29-28, 29-28) defeats Sang Uk Kim by Unanimous Decision

Bantamweight Semifinal Bout: ChangHo Lee defeats Daermisi Zhawupasi by TKO, Round 3, 3:35

Lightweight Semifinal Bout: Shin Haraguchi (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) defeats Jae Hyun Park by Unanimous Decision