‘Road To UFC’ Contract Winner Transported To ‘Sin City’ Hospital With Broken Face

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - It’s better to be safe than sorry ...

Following UFC Vegas 97 tonight (Sat., Sept. 7, 2024) in Las Vegas, Nevada, company officials confirmed to MMAMania.com that Rongzhu was transported to the local hospital following his fight for a precautionary scan of his face. His manager confirmed to MMAMania.com that Rongzhu suffered multiple fractures, and “he still cannot open his eye.”

Rongzhu’s eye got destroyed from a brutal elbow in the second of his fight with Chris Padilla in the UFC Vegas 97 “Prelims” headliner.

Check out the elbow below:

Chris Padilla’s elbow on Rongzhu pic.twitter.com/aZkjYPtzkL

— MMA Mania (@mmamania) September 7, 2024

Unfortunately, Rongzhu’s return to the UFC did not go well, and his four-fight win streak was snapped.

The 24-year-old Chinese fighter was released in 2022 after going 1-2 in the promotion. He returned to the regional scene and scored a finish at UAE Warriors 34. He then got the invitation to compete in the Road To UFC tournament, where he went undefeated (3-0) to secure a new UFC contract.

Stick with MMAMania.com for health-related updates moving forward and if Rongzhu decides to release a photo of the aftermath.

For complete UFC Vegas 97 results, coverage, and highlights, click HERE.