Taiylake Nueraji won Kiefer Crosbie No. UFC Shanghai. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC News
In a dramatic outcome in the first fight of the main card of the UFC Shanghai, held on the morning of this Saturday (23), Kiefer Crosbie Crosbie starred in an episode of bravery and, perhaps, recklessness. The Irishman had the chance to emerge victorious after receiving an illegal knee from China's Taiyilake Nueraji, who landed the blow with his opponent in double support. Despite the clear infraction, Crosbie chose to continue the fight but was knocked out in the first round.
With this result, promising Chinese rider Nueraji extends his record to 12 wins and just one loss at the age of 24. Meanwhile, Crosbie now has 10 wins and six losses in his career.
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The episode drew attention due to the contrast between the European sportsmanship and the strictness of MMA rules.
Nueraji landed the irregular knee that sent Crosbie to the canvas. The referee acted quickly and penalized the Chinese fighter with a two-point deduction. The penalty is considered severe, especially in a three-round fight. Despite being shaken, the Irishman chose to continue the fight.
The decision, however, exacted a heavy price. Nueraji quickly regained control, took Crosbie down once more, and ended the fight with a vicious sequence of ground-and-pound elbows, forcing a technical knockout stoppage.
Did you give up? Fighter refuses certain victory, insists on fighting, and is subsequently knocked out at UFC Shanghai
That was actually a brutal knee #UFCShanghai pic.twitter.com/RfuxAZsxFg
— Dovy (@DovySimuMMA) August 23, 2025
Maluco received a custom-made catfish for a highlight reel and almost threw it all away because of a semi-low kick to the head. He lost two points and still came out on top.pic.twitter.com/vR2d5qp2a9
— UVM! MMA (@uhhvaimorrer) August 23, 2025
UFC Shanghai Results
MAIN CARD
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Johnny Walker derrotou Zhang Mingyang by technical knockout at 2:37 of R2 – main fight
Married weight (up to 69,4 kg): aljamain sterling derrotou Brian ortega in the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Sergei Pavlovich derrotou Waldo Cortes-Acosta in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Sumudaerji derrotou Kevin Borjas in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Taiyilake Nueraji defeated Kiefer Crosbie by technical knockout (punches) at 3m33sec. from R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Gauge Young defeated Maheshate by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Charles Johnson derrotou Lone'er Kavanagh by knockout at 4:35 (punch) of the second round
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Rong Zhu derrotou Austin Hubbard by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Kyle Daukaus derrotou Michael Pereira by knockout (punches) at 43 sec. of R1
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Yi Zha defeated Westin Wilson by knockout at 37 seconds of round 1
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Su-Young You defeated Xiao Long by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Uran Satybaldiev finished Diyar Nurgozhay with an Ezequiel Choke at 2m45sec of R1
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