UFC Bantamweight Yadong Song has revealed his mental struggles prior to his last bout – as he makes the walk to the octagon once more at UFC 299 against the former champion Petr Yan.
The number seven ranked Bantamweight spoke with Ariel Helwani on Monday’s episode of the MMA Hour and disclosed that the two should have fought back in December, but Yan was forced to withdraw. He said:
“We were supposed to fight in China last December but for some reason he pulled out, he got some injury but I really wanted to fight because if I win this fight, it can get me one step closer to the title. He is a good striker, and me too, but I want to know who is the best striker in the Bantamweight (Division). I want to test myself; I want to compete with high level athletes and still improve.”
The 26-year-old instead faced Chris Guitierrez in a Main Event of a UFC Fight night on December 12th, earning a unanimous decision victory. Immediately following the bout, Yan took to social media, simply posting a yawning emoji.
Although he received plaudits for his performance, Yadong said he was unhappy with the contest and admitted there were extenuating circumstances which led to not being in the right mindset entering the bout.
“My last fight, I didn’t have a good performance, but that wasn’t me. I will show him some new work, I don’t care about that but that wasn’t a boring fight!
“Chris, his style, he always runs like, I cannot catch him. It was hard. My friend who was on the card with me, lost his fight and I felt a little bit disappointed about it and this changed my mindset.”
As it transpired, Yadong was referring to his teammate and long time friend, Sumudaerji who suffered a third round loss against Tim Elliott earlier that night. He admitted that it took until the third round of his bout with Guitierrez before he felt comfortable and even had tears due to the impact his friend’s loss had on him, prior to his bout.
“In the third round I felt comfortable and I can listen to what my coach said and I can be the real me. The first two rounds, I couldn’t get out of the emotion. I was crying in the locker room because my friend got choked and I was so emotional in the fight so that wasn’t me.
“He is one of my best friends, we train together 7,8 years, every day. He was on a two fight losing streak and was choked out and I don’t want to see that so I was crying.”
Previewing Saturday’s (March 9th) bout against Yan, Yadong is interested to see how his opponent looks, as he is set to make his first walk since his third successive loss came at the hands of Merab Dvalishvili in March 2023. Although in the worst form of his career thus far, Yadong is not overlooking the former champion, but thinks be is better in every element.
“He hasn’t fought for a year and is on a three fight losing streak but I don’t think the long break will effect his performance this time. He is top in the world, former champion, I think he will reflect his skills and improve – we may see a new Petr Yan.
"But I think I am better than him in every aspect. I am stronger, I hit hard, I believe in my boxing, in my hands. Just one accurate punch can knock him out."
Watch the full interview here -
