UFC: China’s Song Yadong says his hands are ready and the top 10 is on his mind
- Rising bantamweight star faces American Julio Arce at UFC Fight Night 197 on Saturday as he looks to climb the rankings
- ‘He’s also got a heavy stand-up background so we’ll go toe to toe. I can just finish him or I can just stand up in there and bang,’ says Song
Chinese bantamweight Song Yadong never really takes a backward step inside the cage and the rising star is pretty much the same when he sits down for a chat.
Ahead of this weekend’s clash with American Julio Arce (17-4) at UFC Fight Night 197, the 23-year-old “Kung Fu Monkey” (15-5-1, one no contest) shoots straight when asked for a prediction of how he wants this particular fight to play out.
“I know what you want me to say,” smiles Song, as he speaks via Zoom from his Las Vegas hotel room. “But this time I don’t want to say it. I don’t want to keep saying ‘I will knock this guy out’ every time I fight, even though you know that’s what I want to do. So this time how about I just say I’m gonna win, and that’s it.”
What we have seen over the past 12 months is more progress in the evolution of Song, as the Harbin-born prospect continues to hone his craft – as much as his mind – at Sacramento’s Team Alpha Male gym.
“I just want to be the best version of myself,” says Song. “I’ve needed to make some minor changes because this guy is also a southpaw and I want to win this fight and to close this year off. He’s also got a heavy stand-up background so we’ll stand up, go toe to toe, and I’ll improvise when I can, to keep him guessing.”
