Song Yadong returns to the UFC Octagon this coming weekend at UFC 299 in Miami, as he takes on the returning Petr Yan, who is on a three-fight losing skid.
Yadong’s last fight came back in December against Chris Gutierrez, and it marked the third time in a row that the 26-year-old was headlining a UFC Fight Night event. The Team Alpha Male product picked up the ninth decision win of his career, registering back-to-back wins.
Despite coming out of that fight with the win, the ‘Kung Fu Kid’ has admitted to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, that he wasn’t happy with his performance, and has gone as far as labeling it as ‘boring’. Song Yadong also claimed that he will show Petr Yan a ‘new’ him.
“In my last fight, I didn’t put on a good performance, it wasn’t me, I will show him (Yan) a new one. That was a boring fight, I don’t like it (performance). Chris’ style he always runs so I couldn’t catch him, but he has good kicks.” Song said.
Song Yadong reveals reason behind ‘boring’ performance against Gutierrez
Yadong’s teammate, Sumudaerji, fought just a few fights before the main event and was submitted in the first round against Tim Elliott.
The 26-year-old admitted on The MMA Hour that seeing Sumudaerji lose made him cry in the locker room before his fight and because of that, he doesn’t want to fight on the same event as his teammates.
“The first two rounds were because my friend (Sumudaerji) who shared the card with me lost his fight and I felt a little bit disappointed about that. I was crying in the locker room because my friend got choked, so I was so emotional in the fight, that wasn’t me in there.
“He’s one of my best friends, we’ve trained together for seven years and he was on a two-fight losing streak and being choked out, I didn’t want to see that. I don’t want to fight (on the same card) as my friends again.”
Turning his attention to Petr Yan at UFC 299
UFC 299 will be Petr Yan’s first fight since March 2023, and will almost be a year to the day since he last stepped into the Octagon.
Song Yadong doesn’t think that will affect the Russian’s performance though, as he credits him for being an elite athlete. Despite that, the ‘Kung Fu Kid’ believes he will knock out Yan and hand him his fourth loss in a row.
“I don’t think the long break will affect his performance. He’s a good athlete and former champion, I think maybe he will reflect on his skills and improve. Maybe we can see a new Petr Yan. I do think I’m better than him in every aspect.
“I believe in myself, I have power and I believe in my boxing and hands. Just one accurate punch can knock him out.”