Yadong Song
Kung Fu Kid
China
Earns three-round main event win
Song defeated Henry Cejudo via technical unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Seattle.
ANALYSIS
This was one of the strangest endings in quite a while. Song and Cejudo fought for about 14 minutes, with Song getting the better of the action. At that point, Cejudo got clipped with an accidental eye poke. He took his entire allotted five minutes and continued to the end of the frame, only to say in between rounds that he couldn't see. That will get the fight stopped every single time. Because more than half the fight had been completed, we went to the judges scorecards, and all three had Song as the winner. Unfortunately, the foul and subsequent finish is going to taking some shine off the end result for Song. It's not really necessary, but don't be surprised if the UFC attempts to re-book these two following this baffling conclusion (that wasn't something UFC President Dana White appeared to be immediately interested in after the show).
This was one of the strangest endings in quite a while. Song and Cejudo fought for about 14 minutes, with Song getting the better of the action. At that point, Cejudo got clipped with an accidental eye poke. He took his entire allotted five minutes and continued to the end of the frame, only to say in between rounds that he couldn't see. That will get the fight stopped every single time. Because more than half the fight had been completed, we went to the judges scorecards, and all three had Song as the winner. Unfortunately, the foul and subsequent finish is going to taking some shine off the end result for Song. It's not really necessary, but don't be surprised if the UFC attempts to re-book these two following this baffling conclusion (that wasn't something UFC President Dana White appeared to be immediately interested in after the show).
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Will headline UFC Seattle
Song will take on Henry Cejudo in a bantamweight matchup in the main event of UFC Seattle on Feb. 22, Mike Coppinger of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Songs gets an excellent opportunity here to elevate himself back into high-profile fights at bantamweight, as Cejudo is a former multi-division champion with a recognizable name, but also a fighter seemingly on the tail end of his career following back-to-back defeats. Song is coming off a loss as well, though it was to a respectable opponent in Petr Yan and followed two consecutive victories. Keeping the fight upright will be key for Song, who will hold advantages of four inches in height and three inches in reach, in addition to an edge in volume striking. Look for Cejudo to shoot takedowns early and often, and Song defends those at a very average rate of 72 percent.
Songs gets an excellent opportunity here to elevate himself back into high-profile fights at bantamweight, as Cejudo is a former multi-division champion with a recognizable name, but also a fighter seemingly on the tail end of his career following back-to-back defeats. Song is coming off a loss as well, though it was to a respectable opponent in Petr Yan and followed two consecutive victories. Keeping the fight upright will be key for Song, who will hold advantages of four inches in height and three inches in reach, in addition to an edge in volume striking. Look for Cejudo to shoot takedowns early and often, and Song defends those at a very average rate of 72 percent.
Drops decision at UFC 299
Song lost to Petr Yan via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC 299 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
Song continues to struggle against the very best the division has to offer at 135 pounds and roll through everybody else. He was in firm control of this fight through about seven minutes, at which point Yan stepped on the gas, and Song's output decreased. With the fight clearly tied at a round a piece, Urijah Faber and the crew from Team Alpha Male urged Song on heading into Round 3, but it wasn't meant to be. Song has been around for seemingly ever, but is still just 26 years of age. He has power, can wrestle and is notoriously durable. There are still plenty of reasons to be excited about Song moving forward, but he needs to pick up a top-tier victory one of these days.
Song continues to struggle against the very best the division has to offer at 135 pounds and roll through everybody else. He was in firm control of this fight through about seven minutes, at which point Yan stepped on the gas, and Song's output decreased. With the fight clearly tied at a round a piece, Urijah Faber and the crew from Team Alpha Male urged Song on heading into Round 3, but it wasn't meant to be. Song has been around for seemingly ever, but is still just 26 years of age. He has power, can wrestle and is notoriously durable. There are still plenty of reasons to be excited about Song moving forward, but he needs to pick up a top-tier victory one of these days.
Set to face ex-champion
The UFC announced Sunday that Song is scheduled to face Petr Yan in a bantamweight fight at UFC 299 in Miami on March 9.
ANALYSIS
Song will look to establish himself as a top bantamweight contender by defeating Yan. Despite being a former UFC champion in the weight class, he is coming off a three-fight losing streak. Defeating the ex-champ would give Song much credibility as a top bantamweight who can challenge for UFC gold.
Song will look to establish himself as a top bantamweight contender by defeating Yan. Despite being a former UFC champion in the weight class, he is coming off a three-fight losing streak. Defeating the ex-champ would give Song much credibility as a top bantamweight who can challenge for UFC gold.
Rolls to main event victory
Song defeated Chris Gutierrez via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Entering as a massive -375 favorite, Song continues to roll along, showing off all the tricks in his arsenal on the way to the win. He never appeared to overwhelm Gutierrez at any point, and this fight was never close to being stopped, but it also wasn't close on the scorecards, either. Facing an opponent that struggles on the mat and makes his living as a volume puncher on the feet, Song landed a few big shots here and there before plastering Chris to the mat a good chunk of the final ten minutes. It didn't make for riveting television, but it did ensure Song would pick up his second straight win and his fifth in his past six bouts. His lone loss in that stretch was to Cory Sandhagen last September, to give you an idea of the quality of opponent it has taken to defeat him. Song just turned 26 years of age and appears to be legitimately improving. There's a chance he could impact the title picture at 135 pounds at some point in 2024.
Entering as a massive -375 favorite, Song continues to roll along, showing off all the tricks in his arsenal on the way to the win. He never appeared to overwhelm Gutierrez at any point, and this fight was never close to being stopped, but it also wasn't close on the scorecards, either. Facing an opponent that struggles on the mat and makes his living as a volume puncher on the feet, Song landed a few big shots here and there before plastering Chris to the mat a good chunk of the final ten minutes. It didn't make for riveting television, but it did ensure Song would pick up his second straight win and his fifth in his past six bouts. His lone loss in that stretch was to Cory Sandhagen last September, to give you an idea of the quality of opponent it has taken to defeat him. Song just turned 26 years of age and appears to be legitimately improving. There's a chance he could impact the title picture at 135 pounds at some point in 2024.
Added to Shanghai card
Song (undisclosed) will take on Chris Gutierrez at UFC Shanghai on Dec. 9, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Song had to withdraw from his last fight against Rob Font that was scheduled for Aug. 19 for undisclosed reasons. He will return to the Octagon in December for the first time since he put away Ricky Simon in April.
Song had to withdraw from his last fight against Rob Font that was scheduled for Aug. 19 for undisclosed reasons. He will return to the Octagon in December for the first time since he put away Ricky Simon in April.