Former UFC bantamweight world champion Petr Yan returned to the Octagon on Saturday night at UFC 299 for a showdown with the ‘Kung Fu Kid’ Song Yadong.
After dropping four of his last five, including three straight losses against Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley, and Merab Dvalishvili, ‘No Mercy’ made his first appearance of 2024 determined to get back into the win column against the No. 7 ranked standout from Heilongjiang, China.
Round 1
Song gets things started with a stiff leg kick followed by a quick left hook that catches Petr Yan. ‘No Mercy’ fires back with a calf kick followed by an overhand right. Yan goes low again and Song lands a solid left hook in response. Yan jabs to the body. Song rushes in and lands a glancing left hand. Yan responds with a combination ending with an attack on the body of his opponent. Song fires a heavy leg kick. Yan gives him one right back. A spinning heel kick from Song narrowly misses.
Yan lands a body kick and then goes right to the calf kick, but Song manages to grab the leg and drag Yan down to the canvas. The former champ rolls through, but Song brilliantly follows and maintains control of Yan’s back. Yan works his way back up, eating a couple of big shots in the process. Yan recenters and both fighters trade strikes in the center of the Octagon. Yan attempts a last-second single-leg takedown as the horn sounds.
Round 2
Song puts on the pressure early, pushing Petr Yan to the cage and landing a couple of shots before clinching. Yan separates and circles away, offering an uppercut in the process. Song lands a left hand followed by an overhand right. Yan attempts to stand his ground, but Song quickly grabs a waistlock and pushes Yan to the cage. Yan separates after a few seconds and lands a couple of solid right hands. Song responds with a jab.
Yan closes in, throwing a right hand and momentarily wrestling Song down to the ground. Song responds with a single-leg attempt of his own that Yan successfully defends. Yan lands a nice kick to the body followed by a snapping jab. The crowd is firmly behind Yan as Song lands a beautiful combination. Yan attempts to answer with an uppercut and then another that pops Song’s head back. Yan digs into the body, getting a reaction out of Song.
With 30 seconds to go, Yan scores a brilliantly-timed takedown and settles into Song’s guard. Yan lands a slicing elbow that busts Song open as the round comes to an end.
Round 3
Song throws another spinning heel kick that partially connects. Petr Yan attempts to fake an uppercut before shooting in for a takedown, but Song reads it and successfully defends. Song goes back to the jab. Yan responds with a nasty body kick followed by another. Song offers a combination in response, but there’s not much on it. Song goes for another single leg, but Yan easily defends. Yan goes in for his own takedown but is unsuccessful.
Song appears to be slowing down as we approach the halfway point of the third round. Song shoots for a desperation takedown but fails to finish. Yan makes him pay with an uppercut. Yan goes back to the body with a kick as Song pumps multiple jabs. Song continues his pursuit, landing over the top of Yan’s offering. Song backs Yan up to the fence and initiates the clinch. Yan reverses position and muscles Song to the mat.
Yan goes to work, landing some stiff elbows from the top. Song is attempting to stay busy, but can’t muster the strength to sweep. Yan moves into side control and lands another nasty elbow. Yan teases a darce choke as Song rolls to his stomach, but the final horn sounds before he can cinch it in.
Official Result: Petr Yan def. Song Yadong via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Petr Yan vs. Song Yadong at UFC 299:
Let’s get Petr Yan that title shot this guys a beast.
2-1 Petr’s experience and adjustments beats Song. He’s is young, though.
This division is stacked. #UFC299 https://t.co/CbS3rNV0Sg pic.twitter.com/Ace7x8a3gs
— David (@dwh224) March 10, 2024
This Petr Yan takedown wow 🤩#UFC299
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) March 10, 2024
GREAT fight between two of 135lbs' finest! 👏
Scorecards incoming after three hard-fought rounds between Petr Yan & Song Yadong! #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/4DCvaJMOhn
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 10, 2024
Back in a HUGE way 👏@PetrYanUFC earns the UD victory at #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/KvaIBBTXMb
— UFC (@ufc) March 10, 2024
