UFC: ‘Kung Fu Monkey’ Song Yadong grinds it out vs Marlon Vera to keep unbeaten streak alive
- Chinese prospect feels he ‘didn’t fight well’ against Ecuador’s Vera but racks up fifth UFC win and remains undefeated in the Octagon
- ‘Chito’ snubs Song’s attempts for post-fight handshake but sheer weight of numbers from 22-year-old convinces judges
China’s Song Yadong used his heavy hands to convince the judges he’d done enough on Sunday, with a unanimous decision over Ecuador’s Marlon Vera continuing the young fighter’s remarkable unbeaten run in the UFC.
At just 22 years of age, “The Kung Fu Monkey” (16-4-1, one no contest) has a huge future in front of him and the experienced Vera (15-6-1) – at 27-years old with six years in the Octagon behind him – threw everything he had across three rounds. But Song just kept coming forward, riding some huge combinations as he picked up universal 29-28s on the judges’ cards.
“I was thinking maybe it was a split decision but when I heard it was a unanimous decision I felt good,” Song said afterwards. “I knew I would have to give it everything I had. I only had two weeks’ preparation but I was prepared for three rounds. I knew Vera is a really good fighter. I didn't feel like I fought well but I learned a lot from this fight.”
Vera brushed off Song’s attempts for a post-fight hug and looked gutted by the result, but it was the sheer weight of numbers from the Chinese fighter that likely won the day.
Song now has five wins and a draw in the UFC – and 22 pro fights behind him, despite his tender years, The future looks very bright indeed.
Both fighters had agreed to step up in weight due to the three-week turnaround for Sunday’s UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs Harris card, as the UFC gets its fight schedule rolling after the Covid-19 enforced shutdown. “Two weeks ago I was eating fried chicken and coke at home,” Song said.