Hailing from every corner of the earth, the UFC is home to some of the most impressive athletes. Each division in the Las Vegas-based promotion showcases fighters belonging to different ethnicities and tribes. Bantamweight star Song Yadong is one such fighter, who is on a quest to become the first male Chinese UFC champion.
Having fought some of the biggest names in the sport, ‘Kung Fu Kid’ has garnered a professional record of 19-7-1. The 25-year-old has already fought the likes of Marlon Vera, Casey Kenney, and more. Song made his professional debut exactly a decade ago at the age of 16 in the RUFF 9 series. Unfortunately, the bout ended with an NC due to Song suffering a groin injury.
The Chinese fighter was only 13 when he stepped into the cage for his first-ever organized fight. Being matched up against someone twice his size didn’t end well for Yadong. Almost 12 years later, Song still loves fighting and has propelled himself to the very top.
Song headlined his first-ever UFC Fight Night in 2022 against Cory Sandhagen. The bout ended up handing him his second promotional loss while becoming the first mainland-born Chinese man to headline a UFC card.
Song Yadong: Nationality and Religion
Song Yadong was born on December 2, 1997, in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China. The 25-year-old holds Chinese nationality and belongs to an Asian ethnic background. A single mother raised Song, who then enrolled him in a Sanda martial arts school by the age of 9.
His mother then sent him to the city of Dengfend when he was 10 in order to pursue the martial art of Wushu. Eventually, she got Yadong enrolled in the School of Songjiang Wu to continue learning Sanda, in which Song went on to win a gold medal.
A year after this UFC debut, Song started living in Sacramento, California. He trains at the nearby Team Alpha Male gym. A few years later, Yadong made the decision to bring his mother to the United States to be with his son and his family. It is still unknown as to what religion Song belongs to, as he hasn’t posted about it on social media yet.
Is Song Yadong married?
The talented Chinese fighter is happily married to his lovely wife, Daisy. The couple has been together for several years now. The duo had a son together named Justin Manhattan Song in 2018. Daisy is renowned for her unconditional support of Song’s MMA career and has frequented his fights.
In fact, Daisy has even worked as a translator during his early career. Yadong has been grateful for her unwavering support, which has been a continual source of motivation for him to keep pushing toward his goals. Despite being a popular fighter on the rise, the Harbin native has managed to keep his wife and son out of the limelight.
Song had first mentioned his wife during the UFC 265 post-fight presser. Ever since moving to the United States and becoming a mature father, Song said in his Sixth Tone interview, “I know I am providing for my family and our future.”
His Instagram only showcases his training camp videos and life outside of fighting. Daisy has also chosen to stay out of the limelight herself and doesn’t seem to seek media attention.
