Song submits Figueiredo in 2nd round at UFC Macau

Song Yadong extended his recent run against elite bantamweights by submitting former two-time UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the second round at UFC Fight Night in Macau, China on Saturday. The victory marked Song's second win over a former champion in 15 months and came in his first fight in his home country since 2018.

The opening round was tentative, with both fighters avoiding early exchanges. Figueiredo, the 38-year-old veteran, managed two takedown attempts but could not land either, while Song and Figueiredo combined for minimal significant striking in the opening five minutes. The pace increased slightly in Round 2 as Song began to stalk Figueiredo with occasional strikes. Late in the round, when Figueiredo countered a low kick with a takedown attempt, Song capitalized instantly by clamping a guillotine choke around his opponent's neck. Figueiredo tapped out at the 4-minute mark of the round.

With the submission, Song (23–9–1, 1 NC in MMA; 12–4–1 in the UFC) moved to 12–4–1 inside the Octagon and sent the Macau crowd home satisfied after several Chinese fighters fell short earlier on the card. The win positions Song, ranked No. 7 at bantamweight, for a significant next matchup in a division that continues to develop around the dominant featherweight title picture.