Song Yadong
Active 2018–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 84.0
Scouting report
Hand speed and a Sanda striking base define Song "The Kung Fu Monkey" Yadong inside the Octagon. Born in Harbin, China, and developing at Team Alpha Male under Urijah Faber, Song climbed into the top ten with wins over Marlon Moraes, Ricky Simon, and Marlon Vera. His overhand right and toughness are highlighted by an 89 Boxing and 88 Durability, anchoring an 84 Overall score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Song made an undefeated entrance into the UFC across 2018 and 2019, knocking out Felipe Arantes, outpointing Vince Morales and knocking out Alejandro Perez at UFC 239 in Las Vegas, while fighting Cody Stamann to a majority draw in Washington D.C. His punching power, hand combinations, and youth are reflected in an 85 Boxing and 86 Cardio score during this early run in the promotion.
Between 2020 and 2021, Song defeated Marlon Vera by decision in May 2020, rebounded from a decision loss to Kyler Phillips with a win over Casey Kenney, and knocked out Julio Arce in round two at UFC Fight Night 197 in Las Vegas. His boxing entries, hooks, and punching volume are reflected in an 87 Boxing and 87 Cardio.
Song knocked out Marlon Moraes in 2022 and Ricky Simon in the fifth round of an April 2023 main event in Las Vegas, then defeated Chris Gutierrez before dropping a decision to former champion Petr Yan at UFC 299 in Miami. His power striking and takedown defense support his 89 Boxing and 84 Fight IQ score across these bouts.
Song Yadong, the Chinese bantamweight who turned pro before he was sixteen
Song Yadong began training MMA at 13 and made his professional debut before his sixteenth birthday. In November 2017 he stepped in on short notice for his debut in the big promotion, in Shanghai, and submitted Bharat Khandare with a first-round guillotine. He has fought many established names since, and bonus checks have followed a good share of his wins.
What Song's ratings say
Boxing. The top of his card at 89. He knocked out Alejandro Perez in 2019 and Marlon Moraes in 2022, both in the first round.
Kickboxing. 86. He stopped Felipe Arantes in the second round in 2018 with strikes.
Wrestling. 82, six points above his BJJ.
BJJ. His lowest at 76. His debut win was a first-round guillotine choke.
Strength. 78, eleven points below his boxing.
Durability. 88, level with his cardio on the 2023 card. Cory Sandhagen's doctor stoppage in 2022 is his only stoppage loss in the big promotion.
Cardio. 88. In 2023 he beat Ricky Simon by fifth-round TKO in a main event, so a five-round fight is no worry.
Fight IQ. 84. He lost to Kyler Phillips in 2021 and then won three straight against Casey Kenney, Julio Arce and Marlon Moraes.
Boxing at 89 is where fights end
Boxing is his best rating at 89 on the 2023 card. He knocked out Alejandro Perez in the first round in 2019 and Marlon Moraes in the first round in 2022, and both earned Performance of the Night awards. The 2023 fight against Ricky Simon was the reverse, a long grind that he finished with a fifth-round TKO.
The mat is his lowest mark: BJJ at 76
BJJ is 76, the lowest on the card. Kyler Phillips beat him by unanimous decision in 2021, and Petr Yan did the same in 2024. Sandhagen ended their 2022 fight by doctor stoppage.
Keep exploring
Closest bantamweight profiles to Song Yadong, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Jimmie Riverabest cardio 88 · weakest strength 76
- Rob Fontbest cardio 90 · weakest strength 75
- Cody Garbrandtbest boxing 93 · weakest bjj 74
- Kyler Phillipsbest cardio 88 · weakest strength 74
- Bantamweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Song Yadong's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Song Yadong into your build
Song Yadong enters the pool on any spin landing on bantamweight between 2018 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Song Yadong is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Song Yadong's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.