Song Yadong

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Song Yadong
Born (1997-12-02) December 2, 1997 (age 27)
Hulan District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
Native name宋亚东 [1]
Other namesThe Kung Fu Kid
Residence Sacramento, California, U.S.
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
Division Bantamweight
Reach67 in (170 cm) [2]
Style Sanda
Fighting out ofHeilongjiang, China
Team Enbo Fight Club (former)
Team Alpha Male (2017–present) [3]
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total32
Wins22
By knockout9
By submission3
By decision10
Losses8
By knockout2
By decision5
By disqualification1
Draws1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Song Yadong (Chinese :宋亚东 [1] ; pinyin :Sòng Yàdōng; born December 2, 1997) is a Chinese professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of February 25, 2025, he is #6 in the UFC bantamweight rankings. [4]

Contents

Background

Raised by a single mother, Song was sent to a Sanda martial arts school at the age of nine.[ citation needed ] Song eventually began training mixed martial arts at the age of 13, making his professional debut before his sixteenth birthday. [3]

Mixed martial arts career

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In November 2017, it was announced that Song Yadong would step in on short notice, to fight the first ever Indian-born fighter in the UFC and fellow debutante, Baharat Kandare at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum in Shanghai, China. [5] Song's UFC debut took place on November 25, 2017. Song landed fast counter punches, combinations and some heavy leg kicks, but at the end of the fourth minute, Song landed a right hand that knocked Khandare down, causing Khandare to reach for Song's legs to try and get a takedown; however, it was not a good attempt and Song was easily able to secure a front choke, giving Song his first UFC win and his third win by submission. [6] This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award. [7]

In Song's second UFC fight, he faced Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and Muay Thai fighter, Felipe Arantes on June 23, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards in Singapore. [8] After a strong first round, with Song landing quick counter punches and securing top control after catching an Arantes' kick, the second round saw much of the same, except Arantes shot for a double-leg which ultimately resulted in Song easily shucking it off with Arantes, again, landing on his back with Song attempting an arm-triangle choke. However, with exactly a minute left in the second round, Arantes was able to force a stand up and returned to his feet. With 10 seconds remaining in the round, Arantes was being pushed against the fence and what was looking like another round being won by Song; Song landed a hard elbow, which forced Arantes to crumple onto his knees that forced the referee to jump in and end the fight, declaring Song the victor by way of technical knockout at 4:59 of the second round. [9] [10] With this win, Song received the Performance of the Night bonus which earned him an extra $50,000. [11]

Song was expected to face Frankie Saenz on 24 November 2018 at UFC Fight Night 141. [12] However, it was reported on November 7, 2018 that he pulled out of the event due to injury and he was replaced by newcomer Vince Morales. [13] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [14]

Song was scheduled to face Alejandro Pérez on March 2, 2019 at UFC 235. [15] However, it was reported on January 11, 2019 that he pulled out due to an undisclosed reason. He was replaced by Cody Stamann. [16] The bout with Pérez was rescheduled and eventually took place on July 6, 2019 at UFC 239. [17] Song won the fight via knockout in the first round. [18] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. [19]

Song faced Cody Stamann on December 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 7. [20] After three round fight, the fight ended with a majority draw. [21]

Song faced Marlon Vera in a featherweight bout on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris. [22] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [23] Both participants earned the Fight of the Night award. [24]

Song faced Kyler Phillips on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259. [25] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. [26]

Song faced Casey Kenney on August 7, 2021, at UFC 265. [27] He won the fight via split decision. [28]

Song faced Julio Arce on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197. [29] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two. [30]

Song faced Marlon Moraes on March 12, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 203. [31] He won the fight via knockout in round one. [32] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. [33]

Song faced Cory Sandhagen on September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 210. [34] He lost the fight via technical knockout after a doctor stopped the fight. [35]

Song was scheduled to face Ricky Simón on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222. [36] However, the bout was instead postponed to UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón as the headliner. [37] He eventually won the fight via technical knockout in the fifth round. [38] This win earned him his the Performance of the Night bonus award. [39]

Song was scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 233 against Petr Yan on December 9, 2023. [40] However, Yan withdrew from the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Chris Gutiérrez. [41] [42] Song won the fight via unanimous decision. [43]

Song faced former UFC Bantamweight champion Petr Yan on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299. [44] He lost the bout by unanimous decision. [45]

Song was reportedly scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event on December 14, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 63. [46] However, the bout was scrapped due to Yadong's injury. [47]

Song faced former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo in the main event on February 22, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 252. [48] As a result of an eyepoke by Song rendering Cejudo unable to continue, Song won the fight by technical decision after the bout was stopped at the beginning of the fourth round. [49]

Personal life

Song and his wife Daisy have a son. [50]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Sanda

Muay Thai

Grappling

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
32 matches22 wins8 losses
By knockout92
By submission30
By decision105
By disqualification01
Draws1
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win22–8–1 (1) Henry Cejudo Technical Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song February 22, 202535:00 Seattle, Washington, United StatesAn eye injury due to an accidental eye poke rendered Cejudo unable to continue.
Loss21–8–1 (1) Petr Yan Decision (unanimous) UFC 299 March 9, 202435:00 Miami, Florida, United States
Win21–7–1 (1) Chris Gutiérrez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Gutiérrez December 9, 202355:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win20–7–1 (1) Ricky Simón TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón April 29, 202351:10 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Loss19–7–1 (1) Cory Sandhagen TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song September 17, 202245:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win19–6–1 (1) Marlon Moraes KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev March 12, 202212:06 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win18–6–1 (1) Julio Arce TKO (head kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez November 13, 202121:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win17–6–1 (1) Casey Kenney Decision (split) UFC 265 August 7, 202135:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss16–6–1 (1) Kyler Phillips Decision (unanimous) UFC 259 March 6, 202135:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win16–5–1 (1) Marlon Vera Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris May 16, 202035:00 Jacksonville, Florida, United StatesFeatherweight bout. Fight of the Night.
Draw15–5–1 (1) Cody Stamann Draw (majority) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik December 7, 201935:00 Washington, D.C., United StatesSong was deducted a point in round 1 due to an illegal knee
Win15–5 (1) Alejandro Pérez KO (punch) UFC 239 July 6, 201912:04 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win14–5 (1) Vince Morales Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2 November 24, 201835:00 Beijing, China
Win13–5 (1) Felipe Arantes KO (elbow) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards June 23, 201824:59 Kallang, SingaporeReturn to Bantamweight. Performance of the Night.
Win12–5 (1)Bharat KhandareSubmission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum November 25, 201714:16 Shanghai, ChinaFeatherweight bout. Performance of the Night.
Win11–5 (1)Makoto YoshidaTKO (knees to the body and punches)WLF W.A.R.S. 18October 27, 201711:05 Maerkang, ChinaLightweight debut.
Win10–5 (1)Edgars SkriversDecision (unanimous) Kunlun Fight MMA 10 April 6, 201735:00 Beijing, China
Loss9–5 (1)Renat OndarDecision (unanimous)WLF World ChampionshipJanuary 8, 201755:00 Zhengzhou, China
Win9–4 (1)Shamil NasrudinovSubmission (rear-naked choke)WLF W.A.R.S. 10November 26, 201623:19 Zhengzhou, China
Loss8–4 (1)Renat OndarDecision (unanimous)WLF E.P.I.C. 9October 24, 201635:00 Zhengzhou, China
Win8–3 (1)Vachagan NikogosyanTKO (punches)WLF E.P.I.C. 6July 23, 201613:12 Zhengzhou, China
Loss7–3 (1)Alexey PolpudnikovKO (punch)Kunlun Fight 44May 14, 201620:50 Khabarovsk, RussiaReturn to Featherweight.
Win7–2 (1)Artak NazaryanKO (punch to the body)WLF E.P.I.C. 2March 13, 201620:59 Henan, China
Win6–2 (1)Aleksander ZaitsevDecision (unanimous)WLF E.P.I.C. 1January 13, 201635:00 Zhengzhou, ChinaReturn to Bantamweight.
Loss5–2 (1)Giovanni MoljoDQ (groin kicks)Road to M-1: ChinaJuly 25, 201525:00 Chengdu, China
Win5–1 (1) Ok Rae-yoon KO (punch)WBK 3April 5, 201511:21 Ningbo, ChinaFeatherweight debut.
Loss4–1 (1)Ji XianDecision (unanimous) ONE FC: Dynasty of Champions 1 December 19, 201435:00 Beijing, China
Win4–0 (1)Zhao YafeiDecision (majority)RUFF 13June 7, 201435:00 Shanghai, China
Win3–0 (1)Baasankhuu DamlanpurevSubmission (rear-naked choke)RUFF 12March 29, 201413:01 Shanghai, China
Win2–0 (1) Alateng Heili Decision (unanimous)RUFF 11November 30, 201335:00 Shanghai, China
Win1–0 (1)Wulalibieke BaheibiekeDecision (unanimous)RUFF 10September 24, 201335:00 Shanghai, China
NC0–0 (1)Zhao WuhengNC (accidental groin strike)RUFF 9May 18, 20131N/A Sanya, ChinaBantamweight debut. Accidental groin strike rendered Zhao unable to continue.

[52]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "宋亚东：我不熟悉阿尔塞 他不是个令我兴奋的对手". sports.sina.com.cn. 12 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Song Yadong - Official UFC® Profile". UFC . 14 September 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  3. 1 2 Steve Latrell (August 5, 2021). "Another Turning Point For Song Yadong". Ultimate Fighting Championship .
  4. ↑ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions". UFC . Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  5. ↑ "Welcome to the UFC: Yadong Song, Bharat Kandare and Xiaonan Yan". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  6. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 122 results: Song Yadong impresses with first-round submission of Bharat Khandare". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-25. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  7. 1 2 Alexander K. Lee (2017-11-25). "UFC Shanghai bonuses: Four fighters rewarded for finishes, including Kelvin Gastelum". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  8. ↑ "Felipe Arantes Sertanejo e Song Yadong lutarão no UFC Singapura". SUPERMMA.COM (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-10-26.
  9. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 132 results: Song Yadong flattens Felipe Arantes with blistering elbow strike". MMAjunkie. 2018-06-23. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  10. ↑ "Chinese fighters star at UFC Singapore and call on Dana White for Beijing event". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  11. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 132 bonuses: Ovince Saint Preux among $50,000 winners for slick armbar". MMAjunkie. 2018-06-23. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  12. ↑ Marcel Dorff (2018-10-16). "Rising star Song Yadong faces Frankie Saenz during UFC Beijing" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
  13. ↑ DNA, MMA (7 November 2018). "Chinese Team Alpha Male vechters maken opwachting tijdens UFC Beijing". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  14. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 141 play-by-play and live results". MMAjunkie. 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  15. ↑ Staff (2019-01-24). "Alejandro Perez vs. Song Yadong booked as 13th addition to UFC 235 lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
  16. ↑ Mike Heck (2019-02-10). "Cody Stamann: 'I'm going to beat the s--t out of' Alejandro Perez". mmanews. Fight Results. Videos. Interviews. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  17. ↑ DNA, MMA (14 May 2019). "Tweede poging voor Alejandro Perez vs. Song Yadong tijdens UFC 239 in Las Vegas" . Retrieved 2019-05-14.
  18. ↑ Evanoff, Josh (2019-07-06). "UFC 239 Results: Song Yadong Flatlines Alejandro Perez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  19. 1 2 Hiergesell, Dan (2019-07-07). "UFC 239 Bonuses! Masvidal's Historic KO Leads $50K Winners". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  20. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (2019-09-04). "Bantamweights Cody Stamann, Yadong Song booked for UFC on ESPN 7". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
  21. ↑ Doherty, Dan (2019-12-07). "UFC DC Results: Song Yadong Escapes With a Draw Against Cody Stamann". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
  22. ↑ Martin, Damon (2020-05-01). "UFC reveals full fight cards for May 13 and May 16 events". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  23. ↑ Mike Bohn (17 May 2020). "UFC on ESPN 8 results: Song Yadong snaps Marlon Vera's streak in close decision". www.mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  24. 1 2 Anderson, Jay (2020-05-17). "UFC on ESPN 8 Bonuses: Cortney Casey, Miguel Baeza Rewarded for Big Finishes". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  25. ↑ DNA, MMA (2021-01-08). "Song Yadong treft Kyler Phillips tijdens UFC 259 op 6 maart". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  26. ↑ Anderson, Jay (6 March 2021). "UFC 259 Results: Kyler Phillips Tops Song Yadong After Entertaining 15 Minutes". Cageside Press. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  27. ↑ Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (2021-06-07). "UFC 265 adds Casey Kenney vs. Song Yadong". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  28. ↑ Myers, Thomas (2021-08-07). "UFC 265 results: Song Yadong splits Casey Kenney in PPV opener" . Retrieved 2021-08-07.
  29. ↑ DNA, MMA (2021-09-21). "BREAKING: Song Yadong vs. Julio Arce toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 13 november". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  30. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2021-11-13). "UFC Vegas 42: Slow Start Leads to Quick Finish for Song Yadong Against Julio Arce". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
  31. ↑ DNA, MMA (2021-12-20). "Marlon Moraes treft Song Yadong op 12 maart". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
  32. ↑ Law, Eddie (2022-03-12). "UFC Vegas 50: Song Yadong Walk-Off KO Finishes Moraes Early". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  33. 1 2 Staff (2022-03-12). "UFC Fight Night 203 bonuses: Yadong, Rountree among four total winners". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  34. ↑ Raimondi, Marc (2022-06-17). "Sources: Sandhagen-Song to headline Sept. card". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  35. ↑ Dewar, Val (2022-09-17). "UFC Vegas 60: Nasty Cut Halts Cory Sandhagen vs. Song Yadong Early". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  36. ↑ ATSteveDuncan (2023-01-20). "Song Yadong vs. Ricky Simon agregado a UFC Fight Night del 22 de abril". MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  37. ↑ Matthew Wells (2023-04-17). "Ricky Simon vs. Song Yadong moved from UFC Fight Night 222, now headlines UFC Fight Night 223". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  38. ↑ "UFC Fight Night results, highlights: Song Yadong batters Ricky Simon, scores late TKO in main event". CBSSports.com. 30 April 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  39. 1 2 Newswire, MMA Fighting (2023-04-29). "Song Yadong, three others earn performance bonuses at UFC Vegas 72". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  40. ↑ Drake Riggs (September 26, 2023). "Report: Petr Yan vs. Song Yadong in the works for December UFC Fight Night main event". mmamania.com.
  41. ↑ Joshua Ryan (October 9, 2023). "Petr Yan vs. Song Yadong reportedly canceled due to injury". mmaweekly.com.
  42. ↑ Mike Heck (November 7, 2023). "Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez slated to headline UFC Shanghai in December". mmafighting.com.
  43. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2023-12-10). "UFC Vegas 83: Song Yadong Cruises to Five-Round Decision Over Chris Gutiérrez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  44. ↑ Steven Marracco (2023-12-17). "UFC 299 fight card: Michael 'Venom' Page joins UFC, will fight in Miami against Kevin Holland". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  45. ↑ McCorry, Patrick (2024-03-10). "Petr Yan Proves He Still Has It, Earns Decision Over Song". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  46. ↑ Alexander Behunin (2024-10-17). "Title shot denied! Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong booked for UFC Tampa main event". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  47. ↑ Sayan Nag (2024-10-26). "Umar Nurmagomedov: Rumored Yadong Song Matchup at UFC Tampa Is Off". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  48. ↑ Nolan King and Mike Bohn (2025-01-06). "Former champ Henry Cejudo targeted to headline UFC Seattle vs. Song Yadong". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  49. ↑ Andrew Richardson (2017-11-25). "UFC Seattle results: Song Yadong decisions Henry Cejudo after controversial eye poke, demands rematch". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  50. ↑ Song Yadong: Casey Kenney was 'too slow' to beat me. MMAjunkie.com . August 8, 2021 – via YouTube.
  51. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 132 bonuses: Ovince Saint Preux among $50,000 winners for slick armbar". MMAjunkie. 2018-06-23. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
  52. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Yadong". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
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