Yadong Song Bio
Yadong Song is a Chinese professional mixed martial artist competing in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known by the ring name “The Kung Fu Kid,” Song has been recognized for his striking ability, dynamic combinations, and the durability he has shown against top-ranked opposition. As of May 6, 2025, he is ranked number five in the UFC bantamweight rankings. He is widely regarded as one of the leading Chinese fighters to emerge on the global MMA stage.
Born on December 2, 1997, Song turned professional as a teenager and has compiled an active record that includes victories by knockout, submission, and decision. He currently trains with Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California, where he continues to refine his well-rounded game. Across his career, he has earned multiple Performance of the Night bonuses, underscoring his reputation for finishing fights.
Early Life and Background
Yadong Song was born in Hulan District, Heilongjiang, China. Growing up in northeastern China, he was introduced to martial arts at an early age and began training in mixed martial arts when he was 13 years old. His early commitment to the sport laid the foundation for the technical striking base that has defined his professional career.
Song made his professional debut before his sixteenth birthday, an unusual milestone that signaled his rapid development and the high expectations placed on him within China’s growing MMA community. His progression through regional competition in China helped shape the aggressive, pressure-oriented style that would later translate to the UFC.
Song later relocated to the United States to pursue higher-level training. He settled in Sacramento, California, where he joined Team Alpha Male, one of the most respected camps in the sport. This move allowed him to train alongside experienced veterans and access elite coaching in wrestling, striking, and conditioning.
Path to MMA
Before joining the UFC, Song built his record in the Chinese regional MMA scene, fighting out of Enbo Fight Club. His finishing ability and composure against veteran opponents quickly earned him a reputation as one of the top prospects from Asia. He developed his craft in Sanda-based striking while expanding his grappling and submission game.
His performances caught the attention of UFC matchmakers, and in November 2017, Song was announced as a short-notice replacement to face fellow UFC newcomer Bharat Khandare at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum in Shanghai. The opportunity to debut in his home country gave Song a major platform to showcase his skills on the international stage.
Yadong Song Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Song began his professional career in 2013, competing primarily in the Bantamweight division. Over the next several years, he fought across Chinese and Asian promotions, building a record marked by finishes and well-rounded performances. His early run demonstrated a balance between striking volume and opportunistic grappling.
By 2017, Song had established himself as a top regional talent, which earned him a UFC contract. The invitation to debut on a card in Shanghai represented the natural next step in a career that had been carefully developed through years of regional competition and dedicated training.
UFC Debut and Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Song made his UFC debut on November 25, 2017, against Bharat Khandare at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum. He dropped Khandare with a right hand and finished the fight with a front choke, earning his first UFC win by submission. The performance also brought him his first Performance of the Night bonus.
In his sophomore UFC outing, Song stopped Felipe Arantes via technical knockout at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards in June 2018, securing another Performance of the Night award and a $50,000 bonus. After withdrawing from a scheduled bout with Frankie Saenz due to injury, he returned to action and earned a unanimous decision win.
In 2019, Song knocked out Alejandro Pérez in the first round at UFC 239, which earned him another Performance of the Night bonus. He followed that victory with a majority draw against Cody Stamann at UFC on ESPN 7, a result that highlighted his ability to compete in hard-fought, closely contested matchups.
Establishment as a Top Contender (2020–2022)
Song moved up to featherweight briefly to face Marlon Vera at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris in May 2020, winning by unanimous decision in a fight that earned both athletes the Fight of the Night award. The victory demonstrated his adaptability across weight classes and his willingness to take on dangerous opponents.
After a decision loss to Kyler Phillips at UFC 259, Song rebounded with a split decision win over Casey Kenney at UFC 265. He then stopped Julio Arce by technical knockout at UFC Fight Night 197 and followed up with a first-round knockout of Marlon Moraes at UFC Fight Night 203, earning another Performance of the Night bonus for his finish of the veteran Brazilian.
Team Alpha Male Era (2023–Present)
Song headlined UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón in April 2023, stopping Ricky Simón by technical knockout in the fifth round. The dramatic finish earned him yet another Performance of the Night bonus and cemented his status as a main-event caliber fighter.
He was later scheduled to face Petr Yan at UFC Fight Night 233 in December 2023, but Yan withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Chris Gutiérrez. Song won by unanimous decision. Their rescheduled bout took place at UFC 299 in March 2024, where Yan earned a unanimous decision victory. An expected fight with Umar Nurmagomedov in December 2024 was canceled after Song suffered an injury.
Song returned to the main event of UFC Fight Night 252 on February 22, 2025, where he faced former two-division champion Henry Cejudo. After an accidental eyepoke by Song left Cejudo unable to continue, Song was awarded a technical decision at the start of the fourth round. He is scheduled to face former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Song is best known for his sharp counter striking, fast combinations, and effective use of leg kicks. Trained in Sanda, he blends traditional Chinese striking with modern MMA technique, allowing him to dictate range and pace against a variety of opponent styles. His composure in high-pressure situations has made him especially dangerous in main-event and short-notice environments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Song’s career has been marked by multiple Performance of the Night awards, including bonuses for his UFC debut submission win, his technical knockout of Felipe Arantes, and his knockout of Marlon Moraes. His five-round finish of Ricky Simón in 2023 remains one of the signature moments of his UFC tenure, and his main-event win over Henry Cejudo in 2025 extended his run of high-profile victories.
Yadong Song Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Song has compiled a verified record of 22 wins against 8 losses across 32 total bouts. His victories are distributed across knockouts, submissions, and decisions, reflecting the well-rounded development of his game since his teenage debut in 2013.
UFC Highlights
Song’s UFC tenure includes notable wins over Felipe Arantes, Alejandro Pérez, Casey Kenney, Julio Arce, Marlon Moraes, Ricky Simón, Chris Gutiérrez, and Henry Cejudo. His finishes against Arantes, Pérez, Arce, Moraes, and Simón were each recognized with Performance of the Night awards. His main-event victory over Cejudo in February 2025 marked one of the most significant results of his UFC career.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Song competed in Chinese promotions while training with Enbo Fight Club, where he built the foundation of his professional record. Those regional victories helped establish him as a top prospect from China and paved the way for his UFC signing in 2017.
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Wins | 22 |
| Losses | 8 |
| Wins by Knockout | 2 |
| Wins by Submission | 3 |
| Wins by Decision | 5 |
| Disqualifications | 1 |
Yadong Song Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Yadong Song was raised in Hulan District, Heilongjiang, China. While detailed information about his parents is not publicly verified, his upbringing in northeastern China and his early introduction to martial arts shaped the disciplined foundation that has supported his professional career.
Personal Life
Song lives in Sacramento, California, where he trains with Team Alpha Male. He is married to his wife Daisy, and the couple has a son. His family life in Sacramento has provided a stable base for his training and competition schedule throughout his UFC tenure.
2025 Season Performance
Song’s 2025 campaign has centered on his February 22 main-event victory over former champion Henry Cejudo at UFC Fight Night 252. The technical decision win, awarded after an accidental eyepoke left Cejudo unable to continue, kept Song ranked inside the UFC bantamweight top five and reaffirmed his position as a leading contender in the division.
Following the Cejudo result, Song is scheduled to face former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley on January 24, 2026, at UFC 324. The matchup against a former titleholder represents the highest-profile opportunity of his career to date and a potential path back into championship contention.
With his Team Alpha Male camp, consistent ranking placement, and a marquee booking against O’Malley on the horizon, Song enters the remainder of 2025 with clear momentum. A win over O’Malley would place him firmly in line for another shot at the UFC bantamweight title.