Headling the final UFC Fight Night of 2023 was a high-stakes bantamweight clash between Chris Gutierrez and Song Yadong.
Both fighters stepped into The APEX in Las Vegas looking to build on their prior wins and go into the new year riding back-to-back victories. Gutierrez is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Alatengheili in October while Song’s last performance produced a fifth-round knockout against Ricky Simon in August.
Round 1
Both fighters came out looking to measure up one another in the opening minute. Song lands a calf kick and Gutierrez fires back with a high kick that misses the mark. Song again goes to the lead leg of Gutierrez. Song attempts to come over the top with a big overhand right that Gutierrez is able to block. Song goes back to Gutierrez’s lead leg, mixing up inside and outside kicks.
Both fighters are showing each other a significant amount of respect as we reach the halfway point of the round. Gutierrez delivers an oblique kick. Gutierrez goes low with the leg kick and Song throws a 1-2 combination. They go back to trading leg kicks through the end of the round.
Round 2
Song Yadong comes out and resumes throwing kicks. Gutierrez lands a big front kick to the face. Song moves in and Gutierrez throws a spinning back fist that narrowly misses. Song throws a right hand followed by a left to the body. They trade leg kicks and Song throws a right hand that connects. Song moves in quickly, throwing a calf kick followed by a combination upstairs, but an eye poke from Gutierrez stops the action momentarily.
The fight resumes with both men again trading low kicks. Song shoots in and snags a single leg, taking Gutierrez down to the mat. While on the ground, referee Herb Dean gives Gutierrez a hard warning for hooking his fingers in Song’s glove before allowing the fighters to resume. The round ends with Song maintaining top control.
Round 3
Song Yadong comes out looking to close the distance once again and shoots for a single leg. Gutierrez defends successfully, but Song comes back upstairs with a big 1-2 combination that knocks Gutierrez off balance. Song inadvertently pokes Gutierrez in the eye, bringing a brief stop to the action once again.
The bout resumes with Gutierrez going back to the leg attack. Song responds with a low kick of his own. Song lands a solid right hand in close, but he is left eye is beginning to show some damage. Song continues to stalk his opponent and goes high with the head kick, but it’s blocked by Gutierrez. Song ducks under a left hand from Gutierrez. Song attempts to land big while he has Gutierrez backed up against the fence, but Guiterrez manages to circle out of danger.
Gutierrez throws a body kick that Song Yadong catches and uses to sweet his opponent, getting top control with only seconds left in the round.
Round 4
Both fires come out looking to turn up the pace. Song lands a combination that sends Gutierrez to the canvas. Song looks to capitalize, landing in Gutierrez’s guard. Song nearly finds himself in a triangle choke but quickly works his way back into Gutierrez’s guard. Song retained top control for the remainder of the round, stifling Gutierrez’s offense.
Round 5
Coming out with a sense of separation, Gutierrez attempts to roll for a leg lock, but Song sees it coming and quickly obtains top control mere seconds into the final round. Song works his way into Gutierrez’s guard and is content to maintain top control and pepper his opponent with strikes. Gutierrez works himself back toward the cage wall and attempts to sweep. Song postures up and rains down some hammer fists and the final seconds tick down.
Official Result: Song Yadong def. Chris Gutierrez via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-45, 50-45)
Check Out Highlights From Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez at UFC Vegas 83 Below:
Song Yadong vs. Petr Yan? 🤔
🇨🇳 @SongYadongLFG has his eyes on the former 135lbs champ! #UFCVegas83 pic.twitter.com/dlvJwr3lqG
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 10, 2023
Song Yadong vence a Chris Gutierrez por decisión unánime (50-45, 50-44, 50-45)#UFCVegas83
pic.twitter.com/dUbKIoqzMu— SoloMMA (@Solo_MMA) December 10, 2023
