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"Kungfu Monkey" Song Yadong of China beat Mexican fighter Alejandro Perez in a bantamweight bout at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 239 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, U.S. on Saturday night.
The rising 21-year-old Chinese MMA star won with a a big right hand at Perez's jaw when he was making a left low kick. The referee stopped the match at 2:07 to end the first round to protect the unconscious Perez on the canvas.
Song and Perez missed their chance at a first encounter at UFC 235 due to Song's injury, but now, he brought home his fourth consecutive victory after joining the UFC in 2017, and his performance earned him the only best fight bonus for a prelim match.
Song Yadong (L) of China knocks out Alejandro Perez of Mexico in Round 1 during a bantamweight bout in the UFC 239, Las Vegas, U.S., July 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
Before the match, Song had been extensively practicing his boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills. He told CGTN that his coaches, who include UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, came up with a special strategy aiming at his rival's weaknesses, and it worked very well in this quick battle. After beating Perez, Song may advance to the division's top-15, which is where he will find out if he is a championship contender.
Song Yadong (C) and Urijah Faber (R2) /Courtesy of Song Yadong
"I want to fight with the top 10 fighters if I enter the top-15 because, to become a real champion, I need to realize it step by step," Song said.
Song told Chinese sports media PPTV after the match that, for now, he would like to rest for a while to cure many of his little injuries, but if necessary, he may join the UFC Fight Night Shenzhen on August 31 in his home country.
Amanda Nunes (L) of Brazil knocks out Holly Holm of the U.S. in Round 1 during the women's bantamweight title bout in the UFC 239, Las Vegas, U.S., July 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
Jon Jones (L) of the U.S. kicks Thiago Santos of Brazil during the men's light heavyweight title bout in the UFC 239, Las Vegas, U.S., July 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
For the two championship fights at UFC 239, the two-division champion "The Lioness" Amanda Nunes of Brazil, knocked out Holly Holm of the U.S. within five minutes with a Holm-style high kick to the head, defending her women's bantamweight belt. Meanwhile, Jon "Bones" Jones of the U.S. beat "Marreta" Thiago Santos of Brazil by split decision to retain the men's light heavyweight title, which was followed by both men leaving the arena in wheelchairs.
In addition, Jorge Masvidal of the U.S. made the fastest knockout in UFC history with a flying knee to compatriot Ben Askren, finishing their welterweight bout at five seconds of the very first round, and Poland's Jan Blachowicz knocked Luke Rockhold out cold and broke his jaw in Round 2. Elsewhere, TUF 1 veteran Diego Sanchez lost by decision to Michael Chiesa after three rounds of persistence at welterweight.
(Cover: Song Yadong wins the match against Alejandro Perez in the UFC 239, Las Vegas, U.S., July 6, 2019. /VCG Photo)