Overview
- Liu Ce defeated Levi Rodrigues Jr. by knockout with a right hand at 4:26 of Round 1 in Shanghai on Saturday.
- Ce made his UFC debut as a proven striker with a short pro record, while Rodrigues entered the bout 5-1 overall and 0-1 in the promotion.
- The finish followed an early exchange of calf kicks and heavy punches, a failed takedown attempt by Rodrigues and a reversal that let Ce land the decisive right hand.
- The main-card placement in Shanghai and the emphatic finish give Ce immediate media attention and momentum, while Rodrigues now carries another loss from his recent promotional fights.
- The bout streamed on Paramount+ from the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center, and the result could prompt the UFC to match Ce with tougher opposition on future cards in China or elsewhere.