Cyril Asker didn’t have an opponent for UFC Fight Night Shanghai after James Mulheron was pulled from their fight due to a potential USADA violation.
However, Chinese fighter Hu Yaozong has agreed to step in on short notice to fight Asker in the opening bout of the card.
MMA Junkie first reported the news.
Asker (8-3-0) has won just one of three under the UFC banner, with that win coming over Dmitry Smoliakov at UFC Fight Night 103. Asker also competed in the Extreme Fighting Championships, where he defeated UFC veteran Ruan Potts. Asker has yet to see any of his bouts in the UFC go past the opening round and it has been nearly three years since any of the fighters contests escaped that opening round.
Yaozong (3-0-0) is going to be making his UFC debut in this fight and does so with an undefeated streak that has lasted over a year. Yaozong has yet to see any of his professional MMA fights go the distance and the competitor also returns to action after being away for nearly a year. Yaozong also competed in the Chinese MMA Super League, defeating both Le Er Da Bao and Gele Teri.
UFC Fight Night Shanghai takes place on Saturday, November 25 from the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China with Michael Bisping and Kelvin Gastelum headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on UFC Fight Pass.
