UFC: Song Yadong takes heart from Zhang Weili, and takes weight rise in his stride for Marlon Vera test
- ‘The Kung Fu Monkey’ returns to the Octagon at featherweight for short-notice fight after seeing compatriot Zhang’s heroics up close in Las Vegas
- ‘Vera is a strong opponent but I have confidence I can defeat him because I have better tactics and skills,’ says Song
Chinese fighter Song Yadong was in Las Vegas among the thousands as compatriot Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk went to war at UFC 248 on March 7.
“Zhang fought for five rounds completely,” he says. “Physically she was hurting, but her heart is very strong. That has inspired me a lot.”
Now comes the turn of the 22-year-old “Kung Fu Monkey”. Song has been included in the line-up for UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs Harris on May 16, as the UFC continues to emerge from the world’s coronavirus-enforced shutdown. Ranked 13th in the organisation’s bantamweight division, Song (15-4-1, one no contest) will face 14th-ranked Marlon Vera (15-5-1).
That the pair are meeting up a division, at featherweight, speaks plenty about how this climate has forced the UFC – and fighters – to think on their feet. Such is the quick turnaround, from signing on for the event to entering the Octagon in a matter of three weeks, that neither fighter felt fully confident they could make the 135-pound bantamweight limit, says Song.
“To be honest, it’s hard to get your body into the best state in such a short time. But I have to make it,” says Song, speaking from his base in Sacramento.