China's Alateng wins his second UFC fight while Liu loses

Alateng Heili (L) of China is announced winner of the fight against Ryan Benoit of the U.S. in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Fight Night 165 in Busan, South Korea, December 21, 2019. /UFC Photo

Two Chinese fighters participated in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Fight Night 165 in Busan, South Korea, on Saturday night, for which the final main card is held between Frankie Edgar and Jung Chan-sung.

"The Mongolian Knight" Alateng Heili (14W-7L-1D) of China opened the prelims and beat American "Baby Face" Ryan Benoit (10W-6L) by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29 for Alateng).

The 28-year-old Mongolian minority fighter won his debut over Mongolia's Danaa Batgerel in UFC Fight Night Shenzhen last August, where Zhang Weili got China's first UFC title.

Alateng Heili (L) of China punches Ryan Benoit (R) of the U.S. in the face in the Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight Night 165 in Busan, South Korea, December 21, 2019. /UFC Photo

In his second fight against the flyweight division's No.13, 30-year-old Benoit, who just went back to his original bantamweight division for the first time, Alateng showed his wrestling skills in the last two rounds, earning the win from the judges.

Another Chinese, Liu Pingyuan, opened the main card phase, but lost to South Korea's Kang Kyung-ho by split decision (30-27, 29-28 and 28-29 for Kang).

The 32-year-old Kang has a better height and reach than 26-year-old Liu and used traditional Korean wrestling skills to suppress Liu for almost all three rounds.

However, a minute before the bell, Liu elbowed Kang in the face, drawing blood over his left eyebrow, which might have been what gave him the edge with the judges.