Zhang Tie Quan Becomes First Chinese Fighter to Win in the UFC

In a sign of the continuing worldwide growth of mixed martial arts, the UFC is in Australia this weekend, and China's Zhang Tie Quan earned a victory in a fight broadcast internationally on Facebook.

Zhang became the first Chinese fighter ever to fight in the UFC, and he became the first Chinese fighter ever to win in the UFC when he choked out Jason Reinhardt in the first round of their UFC 127 bout.

The fight was short and sweet, with Zhang quickly locking in a guillotine choke and putting Reinhardt to sleep. Reinhardt, a 41-year-old who hadn't fought in three years, was no challenge for Zhang at all.

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Zhang, who fought twice in the United States in World Extreme Cagefighting before the UFC absorbed the WEC, is now 13-1 in his professional MMA career. Most of those wins came in Chinese organizations where he was fighting low-quality opponents, but the UFC has to be thrilled that Zhang is continuing to win now that he has stepped inside the Octagon: A successful Chinese fighter would be a huge boost to the UFC's efforts to expand in Asia.

For his ability to attract fans in the world's most populous country, Zhang has the potential to be one of the most important MMA fighters in the world.