Wang Cong has not done much in MMA, but her placement as the third fight down from the main event on an international Fight Night card is a testament to her kickboxing ability. She is the former Kunlun Fight women's lightweight champion and a 2013 gold medalist in the World Wushu Championships.
Gabriella Fernandes guillotines Karoline Martins to win the interim LFA flyweight title at #LFA143 pic.twitter.com/AuCCTejmQX
— Will (@ChillemDafoe) October 1, 2022
Although Gabriella Fernandes will be by far the toughest opponent China's budding 6-0 star has faced in MMA, ‘The Joker’ holds a win over UFC flyweight GOAT Valentina Shevchenko in her previous career, as well as a draw with kickboxing better Tiffany Van Soest.
Cong Wang vs. Valentina Shevchenko pic.twitter.com/VKMe7Y2Rxr
— Sharon (@Sharon1139132) September 13, 2024
The problem for Fernandes is that the obvious best path to beat the Chinese knockout artist is to grapple her, but Gabriella has proven to be wrestle-able herself. Her background is in Brazilian-style Muay Thai. Her clinch can be deadly and a dirty, clinch-striking attack may give the kickboxer trouble.
But Wang Cong’s attributes are too great to ignore; nobody at 125-lbs in the women's divisions can put people out cold. She even has added some grappling skills, with two submission finishes on her MMA resume. I expect Fernandes to approach cockily for a stand-up duel and get TKOed or lose a wide decision. This is not the level at which Cong’s rise will be halted.
Her UFC debut did not disappoint 😮💨
— UFC (@ufc) November 20, 2024
Catch Wang Cong on the #UFCMacau main card Saturday! pic.twitter.com/HbVTXiGgeT