Yadong Song Record: 23-9-1

Rise through the bantamweight ranks

Song announced himself as a finisher in 2018, stopping veteran Felipe Arantes with a second-round elbow before outpointing Vince Morales over three rounds. He carried that momentum into 2019 with a highlight-reel first-round knockout of former Mexican title challenger Alejandro Perez at UFC 239, then fought to a majority draw with Cody Stamann in a closely contested three-rounder. In 2020 he edged Marlon Vera by unanimous decision, a quality win over a future title challenger that lifted him toward the rankings.

Contender years

A 2021 decision loss to Kyler Phillips was a setback, but Song rebounded with a split-decision win over Casey Kenney and a second-round TKO of Julio Arce. His statement performance came in March 2022, when he flattened former WSOF and UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes with a first-round knockout. After a 2022 doctor-stoppage loss to Cory Sandhagen, Song reeled off back-to-back five-round wins, finishing Ricky Simón in the fifth round in 2023 and outworking Chris Gutierrez over 25 minutes. A 2024 decision loss to former champion Petr Yan tested him, but he answered in February 2025 with a marquee five-round decision over former two-division champ Henry Cejudo. After dropping a 2026 decision to Sean O'Malley, he bounced back with a second-round guillotine submission of former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.

Fighting style

Song is a sharp, well-rounded striker whose sanda roots show in his timing, body work and explosive power — nine of his 23 wins have come by knockout, with four submissions and a 57% finish rate. He fights at range behind quick combinations and is comfortable mixing in submissions when scrambles arise. His durability and improving fight IQ have let him go the championship distance repeatedly, though decision losses to elite movers like Phillips, Yan and O'Malley underline how he can be out-paced by the division's most active operators.

Career highlights

• Highest-ranked Chinese male in UFC history — Song became the first Chinese man to crack the UFC's top 15 and rose as high as No. 9, a landmark for the sport in China.
• Signature knockouts — first-round finishes of Marlon Moraes and Alejandro Perez showcased the one-punch power that makes him a constant threat.
• Wins over former champions — defeated former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo and ex-flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo, proving he can beat elite, decorated opposition.