Fighting in the U.S. for the first time at UFC 239, Song Yadong says he prefers the Las Vegas setting to Asia, as he gets to put on a show on a bigger stage.
Las Vegas, NV — At a time where the best Asian fighters seem more likely to sign with RIZIN Fighting Federation or ONE Championship, Song Yadong (13–3 (2)) is something of an anomaly. Since breaking into the UFC in 2017, Yadong has been perfect, despite competing in two weight classes. Making his debut as a featherweight, he then moved to bantamweight, where he has won two straight.
The only problem is, halfway through 2019, Yadong has just those three UFC appearances to his name. Not the kind of pace he’d want, no doubt. However Yadong, who fights Alejandro Perez at UFC 239 on Saturday in Las Vegas, had to put things on pause due to injury.
The bout with Perez, in fact, was originally scheduled for UFC 235 in March. Yadong was forced to pull out from the fight, the second time in mere months that had happened.
This time, however, it looks like Yadong will make it to the cage. And he’s beaming with confidence ahead of the fight.
“I will win my fourth fight in a row with this fight. I’m very confident,” he told Cageside Press at the UFC 239 media day.
Looking back, Yadong said via translator that “I felt like I had a great performance in Shanghai. I was 120-percent of myself. I was excited and gave it my all.”
He’s a long way from Shanghai, however. That was his debut fight in the UFC, which was followed by appearances in Singapore, then back to China in Beijing. But despite having his first three fights in Asia, Yadong didn’t consider returning there for this bout.
“I prefer fighting in Vegas,” Yadong said. “Because here is a bigger stage and through this fight, more people will get to know me from [around] the world.”
As for his prediction for a finish? No translator required. “Knockout.”
UFC 239 takes place Saturday, July 6 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
