Song Yadong

[5] Raised by a single mother, Song was sent to a Sanda martial arts school at the age of nine.

[citation needed] Song eventually began training mixed martial arts at the age of 13, making his professional debut before his sixteenth birthday.

[4] In November 2017, it was announced that Song Yadong would step in on short notice, to fight the first ever Indian-born fighter in the UFC and fellow debutante, Baharat Kandare at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum in Shanghai, China.

However, with exactly a minute left in the second round, Arantes was able to force a stand up and returned to his feet.

[12] Song was expected to face Frankie Saenz on 24 November 2018 at UFC Fight Night 141.

[13] However, it was reported on November 7, 2018 that he pulled out of the event due to injury and he was replaced by newcomer Vince Morales.

[22] Song faced Marlon Vera in a featherweight bout on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs.

[36] Song was scheduled to face Ricky Simón on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222.

[40] Song was scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 233 against Petr Yan on December 9, 2023.

[46] Song was reportedly scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event on December 14, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 63.