Song Yadong

Song Yadong is a Chinese professional mixed martial artist competing in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Born December 2, 1997 in Harbin, he is one of the highest-ranked Chinese fighters in UFC history, sitting at number 6 in the official rankings as of mid-2025. Known for his aggressive striking, knockout power, and durability, Song has headlined five UFC Fight Night events by age 28. He trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California, and holds notable wins over former champions Henry Cejudo and Deiveson Figueiredo. [edit]

Song Yadong grew up in Harbin, a major city in northeastern China. At nine years old, he convinced his parents to send him to martial arts schools near the Shaolin Temple complex in Henan province, but he returned home after finding the schools focused more on discipline than fighting. At thirteen, he began formal training in sanda, Chinese kickboxing. Shortly after, he accepted a challenge from the best kid in his class, despite only six months of training. He lost quickly but said the experience made him fall in love with fighting. He made his professional MMA debut before his sixteenth birthday, competing in regional promotions like WLF and Kunlun Fight. Before fighting full-time, he worked as a street vendor and security guard. [edit]

Song made his UFC debut on November 25, 2017 in Shanghai, submitting Bharat Khandare via guillotine choke in the first round. At nineteen, he was one of the youngest fighters on the roster. He earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his TKO of Felipe Arantes in June 2018. A unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera in May 2020 raised his profile. After a loss to Kyler Phillips, he rebounded with a split decision over Casey Kenney and a TKO of Julio Arce. His signature victory came in March 2022, when he knocked out former title challenger Marlon Moraes in the first round. He headlined his first UFC event in September 2022, losing to Cory Sandhagen via doctor stoppage. In 2023, he headlined two more events, defeating Ricky Simon by fifth-round TKO and Chris Gutierrez by unanimous decision. After a loss to former champion Petr Yan in March 2024, he bounced back with a unanimous decision win over former Olympic gold medalist and two-division champion Henry Cejudo in February 2025. In January 2026, he lost a decision to Sean O'Malley at UFC 324, but returned in May 2026 to submit former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo via guillotine choke in Macau. He is scheduled to fight at UFC Fight Night in Shanghai in August 2026. [edit]

Song Yadong is known as "The Kung Fu Kid," a nod to his Chinese martial arts roots and sanda style. He fights out of an orthodox stance with a striking-heavy approach, using boxing combinations and kicks. The MMA media portrays him as quiet, dedicated, and humble, with a "Spartan-like existence" focused almost entirely on training. His social media presence is professional, posting training footage and fight announcements in both Chinese and English. He has a growing fanbase in China and among international fans who appreciate his aggressive style and durability. Song is one of China's most prominent UFC fighters, and his fanbase rallies behind his underdog story and willingness to face top competition. [edit]

Song Yadong has cemented his status as a global combat sports icon, rising through the ranks to become one of the most recognized Chinese athletes in mixed martial arts history. As of August 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). While he commands massive attention within the MMA community and across China, particularly following his historic submission victory over Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau, he remains outside the current top-tier global fame metrics. His fanbase consists primarily of dedicated MMA enthusiasts and supporters of Chinese fighters rather than an organized celebrity fandom with specific rituals or a formal name. Fans generally identify simply as UFC followers, and while the moniker "Kung Fu Kid" is exclusively used to describe Song himself, there is no documented collective nickname for his supporters. The relationship between the fighter and his audience is standard for a combat athlete: fans follow his record and fights, while he provides content through fight highlights and social media posts on platforms like Instagram and X. There are no recorded instances of organized fan campaigns, such as subway ads or birthday billboards funded by a collective group. His influence is derived strictly from his athletic performance, his ranking as a top bantamweight, and his decisive victories against legends like Deiveson Figueiredo, which have elevated his profile significantly without requiring fan-driven marketing projects.[edit]

Song Yadong carries the nickname "The Kung Fu Kid," a title that honors his deep roots in Sanda and his desire to showcase Chinese martial arts globally. He often cites Bruce Lee as his hero, crediting Lee with letting the world know about Chinese Kung Fu. Before stepping into the octagon, Song secured victories in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions back in China. His technical preferences lean heavily toward ground and pound for grappling and the roundhouse kick for striking. During the height of the pandemic, international travel restrictions kept him away from China for over two years, isolating him from his home base. By 2023, he was already a father to a son who was approximately four years old. A defining moment in his career occurred on May 30, 2026, when he submitted former two-division champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the second round at UFC Macau, a victory widely celebrated as a monumental upset that solidified his legacy. Another chapter of his lore involves the highly anticipated clash with Umar Nurmagomedov scheduled for July or August 2026 at UFC Shanghai, an event analysts have already framed as a pivotal test for both competitors. Recent interactions with Sean O'Malley at UFC 324 have also added to his narrative, marking significant face-offs with other top-tier stars in the division.[edit]

Song Yadong is in a long-term relationship with his partner, Daisy, who helps with translation during interviews. The couple has a son together, born around 2021. In a 2023 interview, his son was seen bouncing on the bed behind him during a video call. Song has not publicly shared details about his parents or siblings. He lives in Sacramento, California, near Team Alpha Male, where he has trained since 2018. [edit]

Song Yadong trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento under coach Urijah Faber, alongside training partners like Cody Garbrandt. He has faced a string of top bantamweights including Deiveson Figueiredo, Sean O'Malley, Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, Cory Sandhagen, Marlon Moraes, and Marlon Vera. [edit]

Song Yadong has been in a long-term relationship with his partner, Daisy, since approximately 2018–2019, shortly after he moved to Sacramento to train. Daisy assists with translation during interviews and appears alongside him in media. The couple has a son together, born around 2021. As of 2026, they remain together. No other public relationships have been reported. [edit]

Song Yadong's net worth in 2026 is estimated at around $2 Million per iFANN's editorial analysis. His income stream is anchored by his UFC fight purses, where his status as a top-10 bantamweight allows him to command earnings between $100,000 and $500,000 per appearance, covering both base salary and win bonuses. The disclosed purse for his 2025 bout against Henry Cejudo likely fell within the $150,000–$300,000 range. Additionally, he has secured at least one $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus throughout his career. As a prominent figure representing China in the sport, he likely maintains endorsement deals with various Chinese brands, though specific financial figures remain private. Over a span of 13 years, he has competed in 23 professional bouts, demonstrating steady career growth and financial stability.[edit]

Song Yadong has won one UFC Performance of the Night bonus, for his TKO of Felipe Arantes in 2018. He has headlined five UFC Fight Night events and holds a top-6 ranking in the bantamweight division. [edit]