Song Yadong concussed contender with three-punch combination KO to show UFC superstar potential
02/19/2025 07:12 AM
Song Yadong is on the cusp of becoming the UFC’s next big Chinese superstar.
The bantamweight contender will face former dual-weight champion Henry Cejudo in the main event of UFC Seattle on Saturday night.
Song Yadong could put himself in line for a shot at 135lb king Merab Dvalishvili by picking up a career-best win.
The 27-year-old ‘Kung Fu Kid’ has been on the cusp of big things since knocking out Marlon Moraes in 2022.
Song Yadong concussed contender with epic combo
At the peak of his powers, Moraes was widely regarded as the best bantamweight in MMA.
‘Magic’ famously left Aljamain Sterling out cold on the canvas during his four-fight UFC title charge.
Moraes gave Cejudo hell for one round before falling short when they clashed for the vacant 135lb belt in 2019.
Even though he beat Jose Aldo, Moraes never truly bounced back from his defeat against ‘Triple C’.
Cory Sandhagen, Rob Font, and Merab Dvalishvili all TKO’d the Brazilian before Yadong retired him.
126 seconds was all Yadong needed to take out the one-time title challenger at UFC Vegas 50.
A three-punch combination sent Moraes flying from one of the cleanest knockouts you’ll ever see.
As Yadong wheeled away to celebrate, his opponent looked dazed and confused as the referee stood over him.
Moraes retired in the Octagon, but a few months later he returned to MMA and signed with the PFL.
Since then, he’s suffered three more losses, while Yadong has had mixed results against the very best.
Song Yadong to retire another UFC legend?
Yadong has nothing but respect for his UFC Seattle opponent – but he plans to retire him this weekend.
"I believe I will make him retire off this one. It’s going to be once I beat [him] up,” he said on The Ariel Helwani Show.
Yadong added: "He’s funny. He likes to promote the fight, talk a lot trash. But I like him and I respect him. He’s a legend.
"I believe he’s going to try to wrestle me. I don't believe he will stand [and] fight with me."
