Song Yadong gives UFC hope of another Chinese champ as fortune favours the ‘Kung Fu Monkey’ again
- Chinese prospect survives toughest test against Marlon Vera to go six unbeaten in the Octagon, winning his fourth bonus
- The 22-year-old feels he’s ‘on the right track’ learning at the feet of UFC legend Urijah Faber and Team Alpha male
Song Yadong’s martial arts journey started when he was 10 on the footsteps of China's famed Shaolin Temple and under the guidance of kung fu masters who shared with him lessons passed down through generations.
But Song wanted more. “I just wanted to fight,” Song once told the Post.
Even as a child, Song thought the best way to learn was to throw himself into battle – that’s why he left the Shaolin Temple after two years and turned to competitive wushu, then sanda and then MMA.
And that mindset now has the Chinese fighter ranked among the most exciting prospects the UFC has on its books.
On Sunday in Jacksonville, Florida, the 22-year-old scored his fifth victory inside the UFC Octagon – taking a unanimous decision over Ecuador’s Marlon “Chito” Vera (15-6-1) – to go with one draw with the world's premier MMA promotion. The Harbin-born Song has now extended his professional record to 16-4-1, one no contest overall. He also earned his fourth bonus in six fights, totalling US$200,000, after getting fight of the night this time out.