Song Yadong vs Ricky Simon 4/29/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
Bantamweight fighters Song Yadong and Ricky Simon were all set to duke it out at UFC Vegas 71, but due to unforeseen circumstances, their fight has been moved to the main event at UFC Vegas 72 on April 29th. The switch was made after Renato Moicano suffered an injury that forced him to pull out of his originally scheduled headliner against Arman Tsarukyan. As a result, Tsarukyan was taken off the card entirely, and now Song and Simon will take center stage in a five-round match-up.
Song Yadong is no stranger to the spotlight, having just come off of his second consecutive headlining event. Though he suffered a loss in his previous outing against Cory Sandhagen, Song had previously won three straight fights, including a knockout victory over former UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes.
Song “Kung Fu Kid” Yadong will aim to add a win to his career record of 19-7-1 (1 NC). The Kung Fu Kid records a weight of 135 lbs and measures in at 5’8″. The orthodox fighter extends his reach 67″. Ricky Simon measures 5’6″ and steps on the scale at 135 lbs. Yadong walks into the Octagon with a mark of 20-3-0. The 30-year-old reaches 69″. Regarding significant strikes, Song Yadong is connecting on 4.55 per minute while Ricky Simon lands 3.04 significant strikes per min. Yadong connects on 41% of the significant strikes he tries and Simon lands 44%. Concerning their defense in the cage, “Kung Fu Kid” takes 3.93 significant strikes per minute while Simon takes 2.95. Yadong also defends 59% of the significant strikes his opponents attempt and Simon is able to deflect 64% of the shots thrown.
Song Yadong vs Ricky Simon 4/29/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
On the other side of the octagon, Ricky Simon is riding a five-fight win streak, which includes impressive victories over notable opponents like Jack Shore, Raphael Assuncao, and Brian Kelleher. Simon is looking to extend his winning ways and make it six in a row by taking down Song.
This fight has high stakes, as the winner could find themselves in a prime position for a big fight near the top of the bantamweight division. With Simon vs. Song now headlining UFC Vegas 72, the upcoming UFC Vegas 71 card will still have 12 fights on the docket, featuring a main event between Curtis Blaydes and Sergei Pavlovich.
Ricky Simon’s last Octagon action went up against Jack Shore and earne him a victory via an arm triangle in round 2. Shore connected on 89% of the significant strikes thrown at a distance while Simon ended up landing 72% of his significant strikes at distance. Simon ended up landing 65% of his significant strikes attempted by landing 25 of 38. He ended up landing 13 of 25 significant strikes to the head. Shore connected on 19 of 44 significant strikes in that fight. In regard to the placement of these significant strikes, he ended up landing 15 of 40 directed at the head. Relating to total strikes that he let go, Shore ended up landing 27 of 52 and Simon landed 46 of 59 of all the strikes he threw.
UFC Vegas 72
UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Prediction: Song Yadong (+110)
