Xiao Long

Xiao Long is a 27-year-old Chinese bantamweight whose path to the UFC was forged in regional competition and Sanda tradition. He turned pro in 2016, earned a WLF MMA title, and made his octagon debut in June 2022 after impressing on Dana White's Contender Series. Over his first few years in the promotion, Long compiled a respectable 5-3 record, mixing decision wins with eight submission finishes and a handful of knockout victories, establishing himself as a complete finisher on the ground and on the feet.

Long is a high-volume striker who averages over 5 significant strikes per minute, often overwhelming opponents through pressure and volume rather than precision. His grappling is a real threat: he has submitted opponents via armbar, rear-naked choke, and guillotine, and he favors ground-and-pound when top control is secured. However, his wrestling is not a primary strength, with a low takedown accuracy rate that sometimes leaves him chasing grounded opponents rather than initiating position himself.

Recent fights have tested Long against ranked and former champion-level competition. A split decision loss to ChangHo Lee in June 2024, followed by a unanimous decision defeat to former bantamweight champ Cody Garbrandt in March 2026, suggest Long has reached a ceiling in his current form. The Garbrandt fight was particularly contentious: low blows and point deductions altered the scorecards, and rival Julio Arce later opined that Long would have won if not for the deductions, implying a narrow technical loss rather than a clear skill gap.

With 27 wins and a mix of submissions and knockouts, Long remains a viable mid-tier threat in a deep bantamweight division. His striking volume and submission acumen keep him dangerous, but back-to-back losses to elite company and a tendency to win via decision rather than finish suggest he may be better suited as a gatekeeper or title contender in a lower tier than a title challenger.