A thrilling bantamweight contest has been booked for the UFC’s April 22, 2023 event.
Song Yadong (19-7-1, 1NC) and Ricky Simon (20-3) are expected to face off at the Fight Night event, in a battle of ranked 135lb’ers. Yadong sits at #8 in the UFC’s official bantamweight rankings, while Simon holds the #10 spot.
Eurosport was first to report news of the match-up, which Yadong confirmed Saturday on his Instagram Story. Simon had previously announced he would be fighting in April.
Yadong saw a three-fight win streak snapped in his last outing, when he headlined a September 17, 2022 Fight Night event opposite Cory Sandhagen. The Chinese bantamweight saw the fight waved off by the cageside physician due to a cut following the fourth round.
Prior to that setback, Yadong had picked up wins over Casey Kenney, Julio Arce, and Marlon Moraes.
Simon has been on a tear, winning four straight. His most recent victory came last July, when he defeated the previously unbeaten Welsh prospect Jack Shore. With that sort of momentum, Simon was due for a big fight, and it looks like he’s landed it.
The UFC’s April 22, 2023 card does not yet have a location, venue, or broadcast plan announced. The following fights have been reported for the event:
- Karol Rosa vs. Norma Dumont
- Iasmin Lucindo vs. Melissa Martinez
- Bobby Green vs. Jared Gordon
- Song Yadong vs. Ricky Simón
