The UFC is finalizing a big time matchup in the bantamweight division featuring two top ten contenders. MMA Journalist Marcel Dorff was the first to report last night that the promotion was booking Song Yadong (19-7-1) against Ricky Simon (20-3).
This matchup is set to take place at a UFC event on April 22nd. Ricky Simon won his first three bouts in the UFC which earned him a shot against former world champion Urijah Faber. Simon was derailed in that fight when Faber stopped him in the first round. After that, he lost to Rob Font.
Following back-to-back losses, he had a tough battle with former flyweight title challenger Ray Borg. Fortunately for Simon, he won by split decision. Following that split decision win, it’s been smooth sailing. Since the Borg fight, Simon has gone 4-0 with three finishes including back-to-back stoppages.
The last time we saw Simon was in July when he was tasked with taking on the unbeaten Jack Shore. Not only did Simon take Shore’s unbeaten record, he submitted him in the second round.
UFC Bantamweight Showcase
Song Yadong has 27 professional fights and he just turned 25-years-old last month. While he made his UFC debut back in 2017, we’ve really seen him come into his own over the past couple of years. In March of 2021, Song lost a decision to Kyler Phillips on the heels of his win over Chito Vera.
After that loss to Phillips, Song won three straight. No more impressive than his first round knockout over former UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes. Following that knockout win, Song was booked for his first headlining spot against former title challenger Cory Sandhagen.
While Song did have success in that fight, Sandhagen’s slicing strikes proved to be too much. The fight was called off before the fifth round due to a nasty cut over the eye of Song Yadong. Now, he is set to return in April and he’s hoping to get a big win over the tough Simon as he looks to regain momentum towards a future UFC title shot.