Chris Padilla felt Rong Zhu’s orbital turn to ‘mush’ under his elbow at UFC Fight Night 242

September 9, 2024 9:20 pm ET

LAS VEGAS – Chris Padilla beat Rong Zhu with a second-round TKO Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 242 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Padilla, who got the win thanks to a big hematoma on Zhu’s orbital bone caused from one of his elbows.

Chris Padilla def. Rong Zhu

Chris Padilla

Result: Chris Padilla def. Rong Zhu via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 2, 4:14

Updated records: Padilla (15-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Zhu (25-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC)

Key stats: Padilla has been a moderate underdog in both his UFC fights – both stoppage wins. He has 13 of his 15 wins by finish.

Padilla on the fight’s key moment

Chris Padilla

“The game plan was to be smart. I feel like every fighter has holes all over their game, but it’s, can you stay dialed in? Can you settle yourself down enough to see those holes? The first round, I was being a little too macho where I was like, ‘Oh, you think you’re better than me? OK, let’s get it then.’ But then when I went back to the corner, chilled out, my coach just talked to me like, ‘Hey, man – it’s going to be there. Just do your thing. Do what you’re good at.’

“I think I’m worth $50K, man. I know the first (UFC win) was like, ‘Maybe (that was bonus-worthy).’ But who’s doing it like that, man? Who? Who? Splitting somebody with an elbow, swelling their eye up? I think I really smashed his eye, personally. I felt that – excuse my language – b*tch mush.”

Padilla on being an underdog again
“Hey I don’t need (to be the favorite). They can keep their opinion. They can have whatever they want. My people back in the city just made so much money, and I love it. Please don’t put me (as the favorite) – I need the underdog spot. I need the disrespect. I love it.”

Padilla on what he wants next

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Maheshate of China punches Gabriel Benitez of Mexico in a lightweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on April 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“I’ll take whatever is given to me. It’s all blessings. (Hayisaer Maheshate) beat Gabriel Benitez last time. I thought he lost.”

To hear more from Padilla, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 242.

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