If he wins, he’ll have to change his “Triple C” nickname. A victory Saturday would give him the most title defenses in UFC bantamweight history, which would be a major feat before he moves weight classes to featherweight or defends the title again against O’Malley.Ī lot is at stake for Cejudo, too. Sterling will defend the bantamweight title against Cejudo this Saturday at UFC 288. “I will keep working to show I am the best.”Īljamain Sterling–Henry Cejudo bout includes fascinating backstory “I am excited for my next fight,” says Yadong. His next fight will be important, whether that is against Yan, Merab Dvalishvili or Vera, which would be a rematch of their 2020 bout that Yadong narrowly won by decision. His future in the UFC is full of potential for championship gold.

Yadong has won nine of his first 11 bouts in the Octagon.

I knew I would catch him in the fifth, and I got it.” “I almost knocked him out in the fourth round,” says Yadong. And that is the exact sequence that led to Yadong landing the left hook that dropped Simón in the fifth, and he followed up with a flurry of shots in the ground-and-pound to earn the TKO victory. When Simón threw his jab in the final round, Yadong landed an overhand right over the top of it. His right hand was a major factor in the fifth, and he timed out Simón’s jab, which effectively decided the fight. Yadong drilled Simón in the final seconds of the fourth with a nasty left hook. He ended the round doing damage with hammer fists, but Yadong seized control in the third and refused to relinquish it. Once he recovered from a clash of heads and ensuing combo from Yadong, Simón began pulling his jab quite well, then timed out a takedown. Simón (20–4) showed signs of life in the second. “I’ve been preparing and training for this fight, and that’s what I did.”

His boxing controlled this bout, giving him an edge in every round, especially the second, third and fourth. Only 25, this was an impressive showing for Yadong. 👀 has a couple of names in mind for who he wants to see in the Octagon next! #UFCVegas72 /dzwjOVDQaQ- UFC April 30, 2023 “He is a great fighter, and I want to fight him. “I forgot to say Petr Yan,” says Yadong (20-7-1, 1 NC). But he forgot the one fight he really wanted. Amid the excitement of his post-fight interview in the Octagon, Yadong called out Sean O’Malley and Chito Vera for a fight. The victory broke Simón’s five-fight winning streak, and Yadong ended the bout in emphatic manner with a picturesque left hook. Song Yadong dominated Ricky Simón on Saturday, ending their UFC Fight Night bantamweight bout with a fifth-round TKO finish. SI’s MMA Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes runs every Monday.

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