Issue 196

September 2022

The old adage warns, “Never meet your heroes,” but Chinese bantamweight contender Song Yadong actively did just that, and now has him in his corner as he continues a quest for UFC championship gold that started with an internet search and an email message.

As a youngster Song loved watching Kung Fu movies and persuaded his mother to take him to the Shaolin Temple so he could pursue his passion. That eventually led him to discover mixed martial arts, and the WEC, where an exciting fighter known as “The California Kid” caught his eye.

“I watched Urijah Faber fight for WEC. I loved his style,” said Song in an interview with UFC Connected. 

“Then I realized that fighting could be my career. So as a teenager I decided to start fighting.”

After a no contest on his professional debut in May 2013, Song started to win fights and, by the end of 2015, he’d compiled a record of 5-2 (1 no contest).

Then, in 2016, he embarked on an incredible schedule as he fought six times in a year.

“I won one fight after another. I was doing fine in China,” he said. 

“I had a dream to make it to the UFC.”

Going online

Song decided that the best route to success in the US would be to train at the same gym as his hero, so he jumped on the internet to find out.

“I wanted to figure out what team Faber was on, so I searched him online” he explained.

“The gym was called Team Alpha Male. I was sure I would train with him one day. At the beginning of 2017, I sent an email to the gym. They replied to me and I got here.”

Song joined the gym’s “Train with TAM” program, where he quickly got to work on the mats, training alongside the likes of Chad Mendes, Cody Garbrandt, and Faber himself. It was a real “pinch me” moment.

“I was so excited. I felt kind of nervous when I was training alongside them,” he said.

“People like Chad Mendes, Cody and Faber. I couldn’t believe my dreams were coming true. Because this is paradise to me. It was thrilling. After training, I waited with a t-shirt in my hands, asking them for an autograph, because I was a huge fan.”

Despite not being able to speak English, Song’s talent and work ethic quickly established him as a part of the team and, despite the communication barrier with his coaches and teammates, he earned his shot in the UFC and quickly found his feet on the big stage.

“I’ve gotten used to communicating with them via body language, because fighting itself is a game expressed by body language,” he explained.

“I understand what the coach is trying to say when he demonstrates the technique.”

The dream team

With his hero in his corner and a training room full of world-class talent, Song’s UFC career is thriving. But Faber is more than a coach and a hero to Song, as he explained.

“Faber is not only a coach, but a good friend,” he said.

“I feel lucky to have such a great coach, with whom I have a good relationship, because coaches in China are usually placed on a higher position. Faber and I, we interact as friends. I share a lot with him.”

Now firm friends, Song and Faber are looking to go all the way to the top of the bantamweight division. Song’s English is improving, and his skills in the cage are developing equally as quickly. It means that, at the age of 24, “The Kung Fu Kid” has a UFC title in his crosshairs.

“It’s only a matter of time before I win a UFC championship,” he said.

“I am sure Faber will accompany me to the championship. I’ll keep fighting for that. 

“Faber provides me with a sense of security by cornering me. I will go further thanks to his guidance. I’ve obtained a string of wins. My ultimate goal is to be a champion. I will be excellent, like him.”