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About

Song Yadong

Chinese mixed martial artist (born 1997)

Song Yadong is a Chinese professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of May 6, 2025, he is #5 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.

Song Yadong
Song Yadong
Born (1997-12-02) December 2, 1997 (age 28)
Hulan District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
Native name宋亚东[1]
Other namesThe Kung Fu Kid
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionBantamweight
Reach67 in (170 cm)[2]
StyleSanda
Fighting out ofHeilongjiang, China
TeamEnbo Fight Club (former)
Team Alpha Male (2017–present)[3]
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins23
By knockout9
By submission4
By decision10
Losses9
By knockout2
By decision6
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 May 6, 2025, he is #5 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.[4]

Background

Song 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

2017

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 122 on November 25, 2017 in Shanghai, China.[5] He won the fight via submission due to a guillotine choke in the first round.[6] This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.[7]

2018

Song faced Felipe Arantes on June 23, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 132 in Singapore.[8] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[9][10] This win earned him another Performance of the Night bonus.[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]

2019

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]

2020

Song faced Marlon Vera in a featherweight bout on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 8.[22] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[23] Both participants earned the Fight of the Night award.[24]

2021

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]

2022

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]

2023

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]

2024

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]

2025

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]

2026

Song faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O'Malley on January 24, 2026 at UFC 324.[50] He lost the bout by unanimous decision.[51] 9 out of 21 media outlets scored the bout for Song.[52]

Song faced former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo on May 30, 2026 in the main event of UFC Fight Night 277.[53]. He won by second round submission via guillotine choke.[54] This fight earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night award.[55]

Personal life

Song and his wife Daisy have a son.[56]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Sanda

Muay Thai

  • 2011 National Muay Thai Championship − 5th place

Grappling

  • 2012 Shanghai Jiu-Jitsu Open − 4th place

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
34 matches 23 wins 9 losses
By knockout 9 2
By submission 4 0
By decision 10 6
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 23–9–1 (1) Deiveson Figueiredo Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo May 30, 2026 2 4:42 Macau SAR, China Performance of the Night.
Loss 22–9–1 (1) Sean O'Malley Decision (unanimous) UFC 324 January 24, 2026 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 22–8–1 (1) Henry Cejudo Technical Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song February 22, 2025 3 5:00 Seattle, Washington, United States An eye injury due to an accidental eye poke rendered Cejudo unable to continue.
Loss 21–8–1 (1) Petr Yan Decision (unanimous) UFC 299 March 9, 2024 3 5:00 Miami, Florida, United States
Win 21–7–1 (1) Chris Gutiérrez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Gutiérrez December 9, 2023 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 20–7–1 (1) Ricky Simón TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón April 29, 2023 5 1:10 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Loss 19–7–1 (1) Cory Sandhagen TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song September 17, 2022 4 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 19–6–1 (1) Marlon Moraes KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev March 12, 2022 1 2:06 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 18–6–1 (1) Julio Arce TKO (head kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez November 13, 2021 2 1:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–6–1 (1) Casey Kenney Decision (split) UFC 265 August 7, 2021 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss 16–6–1 (1) Kyler Phillips Decision (unanimous) UFC 259 March 6, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 16–5–1 (1) Marlon Vera Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris May 16, 2020 3 5:00 Jacksonville, Florida, United States Featherweight bout. Fight of the Night.
Draw 15–5–1 (1) Cody Stamann Draw (majority) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik December 7, 2019 3 5:00 Washington, D.C., United States Song was deducted a point in round 1 due to an illegal knee
Win 15–5 (1) Alejandro Pérez KO (punch) UFC 239 July 6, 2019 1 2:04 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 14–5 (1) Vince Morales Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2 November 24, 2018 3 5:00 Beijing, China
Win 13–5 (1) Felipe Arantes KO (elbow) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards June 23, 2018 2 4:59 Kallang, Singapore Return to Bantamweight. Performance of the Night.
Win 12–5 (1) Bharat Khandare Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum November 25, 2017 1 4:16 Shanghai, China Featherweight bout. Performance of the Night.
Win 11–5 (1) Makoto Yoshida TKO (knees to the body and punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 18 October 27, 2017 1 1:05 Maerkang, China Lightweight debut.
Win 10–5 (1) Edgars Skrivers Decision (unanimous) Kunlun Fight MMA 10 April 6, 2017 3 5:00 Beijing, China
Loss 9–5 (1) Renat Ondar Decision (unanimous) WLF World Championship January 8, 2017 5 5:00 Zhengzhou, China
Win 9–4 (1) Shamil Nasrudinov Submission (rear-naked choke) WLF W.A.R.S. 10 November 26, 2016 2 3:19 Zhengzhou, China
Loss 8–4 (1) Renat Ondar Decision (unanimous) WLF E.P.I.C. 9 October 24, 2016 3 5:00 Zhengzhou, China
Win 8–3 (1) Vachagan Nikogosyan TKO (punches) WLF E.P.I.C. 6 July 23, 2016 1 3:12 Zhengzhou, China
Loss 7–3 (1) Alexey Polpudnikov KO (punch) Kunlun Fight 44 May 14, 2016 2 0:50 Khabarovsk, Russia Return to Featherweight.
Win 7–2 (1) Artak Nazaryan KO (punch to the body) WLF E.P.I.C. 2 March 13, 2016 2 0:59 Henan, China
Win 6–2 (1) Aleksander Zaitsev Decision (unanimous) WLF E.P.I.C. 1 January 13, 2016 3 5:00 Zhengzhou, China Return to Bantamweight.
Loss 5–2 (1) Giovanni Moljo DQ (groin kicks) Road to M-1: China July 25, 2015 2 5:00 Chengdu, China
Win 5–1 (1) Ok Rae-yoon KO (punch) WBK 3: Day 2 April 5, 2015 1 1:21 Ningbo, China Featherweight debut.
Loss 4–1 (1) Ji Xian Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Dynasty of Champions December 19, 2014 3 5:00 Beijing, China
Win 4–0 (1) Zhao Yafei Decision (majority) Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation 13 June 7, 2014 3 5:00 Shanghai, China
Win 3–0 (1) Baasankhuu Damlanpurev Submission (rear-naked choke) Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation 12 March 29, 2014 1 3:01 Shanghai, China
Win 2–0 (1) Alateng Heili Decision (unanimous) Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation 11 November 30, 2013 3 5:00 Shanghai, China
Win 1–0 (1) Wulalibieke Baheibieke Decision (unanimous) Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation 10 September 24, 2013 3 5:00 Shanghai, China
NC 0–0 (1) Zhao Wuheng NC (accidental groin strike) Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation 9 May 18, 2013 1 N/A Sanya, China Bantamweight debut. Accidental groin strike rendered Zhao unable to continue.

[58]

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 2025-05-06.
  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. ↑ Matthew Wells and Nolan King (2025-11-27). "UFC 324 fight card: Sean O'Malley returns, ex-women's champs collide". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  51. ↑ Jay Anderson (2026-01-24). "UFC 324: Sean O'Malley Takes Close Decision Over Song Yadong". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
  52. ↑ MMA Decisions (2026-01-25). "Sean O'Malley defeats Song Yadong". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  53. ↑ Simon Samano (2026-03-12). "Song Yadong lands UFC Macau main event spot vs. Deiveson Figueiredo". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2026-03-13.
  54. ↑ Eddie Law (2026-05-30). "Song Yadong scores career biggest win with submission of Figueiredo". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  55. 1 2 Marcel Dorff (2026-05-30). "UFC Macau bonuses revealed after spectacular card". heavy.com. Retrieved 2026-05-31.
  56. ↑ Song Yadong: Casey Kenney was 'too slow' to beat me. MMAjunkie.com. August 8, 2021 – via YouTube.
  57. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 132 bonuses: Ovince Saint Preux among $50,000 winners for slick armbar". MMAjunkie. 2018-06-23. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
  58. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Yadong". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-05-17.