Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event in Macau brings together two bantamweight contenders trying to stay in the title picture. Song Yadong returns to compete in front of a home crowd against former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in a matchup that carries major consequences for the division. Song enters as a sizable betting favorite after facing stronger competition over the last several years, while Figueiredo attempts to prove he can still threaten elite fighters after moving up from flyweight. Here, I break down this main event matchup and make my Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo prediction in the betting markets.
Tale of the Tape
| Fighter | Age | Reach | Stance | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song Yadong | 28 | 67 inches | Orthodox | 22-9-1 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 38 | 68 inches | Orthodox | 25-6-1 |
Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo Preview
Song enters this fight after a unanimous decision loss to Sean O’Malley earlier this year. Before that defeat, he earned a victory over Henry Cejudo and pushed Petr Yan in a competitive fight. While Song has struggled to break through against the very top names in the division, his overall body of work remains strong. At 28 years old, he still appears to be improving physically and technically.
The biggest edge for Song in this matchup is his striking output and pace. He lands more than 4 significant strikes per minute and works behind a quick jab, heavy calf kicks, and fast boxing combinations. His hand speed is one of the better weapons in the bantamweight division, and he usually performs well against opponents who rely on single counters. Song also owns solid takedown defense, which limits opportunities for opponents to control rounds on the ground.
Figueiredo enters after another difficult stretch against elite competition. He lost a decision to Umar Nurmagomedov in January and suffered a stoppage defeat against Cory Sandhagen before that. Although he picked up a split decision win over Montel Jackson, his recent performances suggest that the jump to bantamweight has become tough for him against larger and quicker opponents.
Even so, Figueiredo remains dangerous at all times. He carries real knockout power for the division and owns one of the better guillotine chokes in the sport. His counter right hand still demands respect, especially early in fights before opponents settle into rhythm. Bettors backing Figueiredo are likely counting on him to create damage in the first two rounds before Song’s pace starts taking over.
The concern for Figueiredo is activity and durability over longer fights. At 38 years old, he has absorbed plenty of damage during his UFC career, especially through the four-fight series against Brandon Moreno. His striking volume has also dropped in recent appearances. Against a younger and more active opponent like Song, low output can quickly become a problem on the scorecards.
Betting Odds
- Song Yadong: -600
- Deiveson Figueiredo: +440
- Over 4.5 Rounds: -125
- Under 4.5 Rounds: -105
Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo Prediction
- Pick: Song Yadong by unanimous decision
- Confidence: 4 out of 5
- Win Probability: Song Yadong 77%, Deiveson Figueiredo 23%
Figueiredo should have success early with counters and submission threats, especially if Song becomes too aggressive in exchanges. The Brazilian remains dangerous enough to punish mistakes. Still, Song should get the better of the Brazilian across five rounds.
Song’s speed advantage should become obvious as the fight progresses. Expect him to win exchanges with straight punches and combinations while forcing Figueiredo to react defensively. The younger fighter also carries a better gas tank for a five-round main event. Unless Figueiredo lands a major shot or catches a submission during a scramble, Song’s consistency should allow him to pile up rounds.
Look for Song to control distance, outwork Figueiredo across most rounds, and earn a clear decision in front of the Macau crowd. Bettors searching for value may find the strongest angle in Song by decision rather than paying the steep moneyline price.
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