Bantamweight contenders collide!
Song Yadong takes on the surging Ricky Simon in the main event of UFC Vegas 72. Yadong will look to rebound from his loss to Cory Sandhagen while Simon tries to string together six wins in a row.
Round 1:
Simon attempts two front kicks that miss. Both fighters are hesitant to strike as they take their time finding their distance. Simon shoots for a takedown but is denied by Song, who returns with a strike. Song fires a body kick. Simon goes for a 1-2 that partially lands. Simon and Song get into the clinch and fight for position against the cage. They separate.
Simon lands a cross on Song. Song fires a left hand. Song continues with the leg kicks and then goes up high with a headkick that doesn’t find its target.
CDS: 10-9 Song
Round 2:
Song goes for a kick up the middle before attacking the legs of Simon. Simon works behind the jab. Song puts together a combo of punches that stun Simon. Simon takes down Song for a second but Song is able to get up quite quickly. Song mixes it up, throwing punches to the body.
Simon eats a left hand from Song. Song keeps Simon on the backfoot with his constant pressure. Song throws more strikes to the body. Simon gets a takedown on Song and lands some ground and pound to end the round.
CDS: 10-9 Song
Round 3:
Simon gets a quick takedown but Song works his way back up to his feet. Song lands a punch to the crotch of Simon which stops the fight for a moment. The action resumes as Song lands some leg kicks. Song defends a takedown attempt from Simon. Song tags Simon with a body shot. Song lands a crisp left hand that visibly hurts Simon.
Song’s striking proves to be effective as the Chinese fighter continues to put together great combos. Simon complains about a clash of heads right as the round ends.
10-9 Song
Round 4:
Simon lands a good jab. Song attacks the body of Simon with punches. Song sprawls on another takedown attempt from Simon. Song tags Simon with a couple of leg kicks. Song effectively counters while Simon rushes his way in. Simon tries to land some strikes on Song but he slips each and every one of them.
Song sits down Simon with a beautiful left hook right before the bell sounds.
10-9 Song
Round 5:
Simon works the jab. Song stuns Simon with a punch of his own. Song continues his onslaught, knocking down Simon with a left hook once again, but this time there is no bell to save him. Song tee’s off on Simon, unleashing major ground and pound to end the fight.
Official result: Song Yadong defeats Ricky Simon via TKO (punches) in round 5 (1:10)
Check out the highlights below:
TIME TO FIGHT 🤜 🤛 #UFCVegas72 pic.twitter.com/ULT0GyPLXe
— UFC (@ufc) April 30, 2023
We're headed to the championship rounds 💥
Who do you guys have up on the scorecards? #UFCVegas72 pic.twitter.com/tL45PTPkay
— UFC (@ufc) April 30, 2023
He gets the job done in round 5️⃣ !!@SongYadongLFG shows why he is one of the best bantamweights in the division 💥 #UFCVegas72 pic.twitter.com/ytNjeGBim3
— UFC (@ufc) April 30, 2023
👀 @SongYadongLFG has a couple of names in mind for who he wants to see in the Octagon next! #UFCVegas72 pic.twitter.com/dzwjOVDQaQ
— UFC (@ufc) April 30, 2023
