RUFF return with their fourth event.
FightSportAsia set the wheels in motion for some unprecedented Sino-MMA hype spin when I reported that RUFF title fights would be for a 156RMB prize fund, though the article was somewhat humorously misinterpreted as being new news with regards to Niké and Ducati sponsorship, hence the reason for the sudden hoopla (Jumping Knee MMA Blog & then Middle Easy, I’m looking at you!).
But regardless, it is an indeed noteworthy turning point for Chinese MMA, though with the current sponsorship deals for fighter’s in place and the restriction on all non-Chinese (or Hong Kong or Macau) passport or visa holders from competing in RUFF, the promotion will most likely not be all that it could be with regards to a newfound Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. One FC Network, it is not. But with Art of War on seemingly indefinite hiatus, what it is is a good promotion for China right now.
Here is the television commercial for the event.
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And the following, regarding RUFF IV, is taken from the official website release made about the event.
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RUFF 4 set for Inner Mongolia, road to Super Fight continues
The Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation (RUFF) will return to action with RUFF 4 on Saturday, June 30th, when China’s top Mixed Martials Arts (MMA) fighters square off at Hohhot’s Inner Mongolia Indoor Stadium.
The second event in RUFF’s year-long Super Fight series, RUFF 4 will feature many of RUFF’s top fighters, along with a new crop of contenders, all of whom will vie for the chance to become China’s first MMA National Champion.
In the main event, undefeated featherweight and feared striker Wang Guan will do battle with Macau-based Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) black belt Sandro da Silva, while the co-main event will feature a pair of BJJ black belts going head-to-head in the lightweight division, as undefeated RUFF veteran Rodrigo Caporal takes on former The Ultimate Fighter competitor, Taiwan’s Andy Wang.
The bantamweight division will also see the renewal of one of RUFF’s best rivalries to date, as Ayideng Jumayi and Irshaad Sayed face off in a highly anticipated rematch. Sayed narrowly edged out a split decision victory over Jumayi at RUFF 2, a three round battle that was later named “Fight of the Night,” and now Jumayi looks to avenge his only loss inside the RUFF cage.
RUFF 4 marks a monumental development in RUFF’s mission to bring MMA to every household in mainland China, as the CSPN, Hubei Sports, Jiangxi Sports, Jiangsu Sports, and Guangzhou Sports networks have all signed on to air RUFF broadcasts, bringing RUFF’s potential viewership up to 440-million people.
The first ever government-sanctioned professional fighting organization in mainland China, RUFF promotes MMA in association with the Wushu Administrative Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, and in addition to continuing our partnership with Los Angeles-based Mandt Bros. Productions, we have renewed our relationships with key sponsors Nike and Ducati.
C.O.M.M.A.N.D.-certified Canadian referee Jerin Valel will once again be returning to oversee the event and the implementation of the unified rules, ensuring RUFF 4 will not only feature world-class competition, but also the highest level of officiating, fighter safety and integrity.
Sandro da Silva vs. Wang Guan – 66kg
Rodrigo Caporal vs. Andy Wang – 70kg
Irshaad Sayed vs. Ayideng Jumayi – 61kg
Song YaDong vs. Jumabieke Tuerxun – 61kg
Zhang LiPeng vs. Arthit Hanchana – 70kg
Dong YanJun vs. Yuan ChunBo – 66kg
Liu PingYuan vs. Yang Liang – 57kg
Shang ZhiFa vs. Amu RiJiRiGaLa – 57kg
Wen JunCheng vs. Liu LianJie – 61kg
Kong HanDong vs. Li JiXiang – 93kg
Zhao EriDeMuTu vs. Ta Yier – 66kg
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Follow @DanielFletcher & @FightSportAsia, @PhuketTopTeam & @RUFFChina
