Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo: UFC Macau Preview
Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo brings a high-level bantamweight main event to UFC Fight Night in Macau, and it is exactly the kind of matchup that can reshape the middle of the UFC 135-pound title picture. The fight is scheduled for May 30, 2026, at Galaxy Arena in Macau SAR, China, with Song and Figueiredo booked as the bantamweight headliner.
For Song Yadong, this is a chance to defend his position as one of the division’s most dangerous younger contenders. For Deiveson Figueiredo, it is another opportunity to prove that his move from flyweight to bantamweight can still lead toward serious title contention.
Latest Update on Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo
The fight is officially listed as the main event of UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo in Macau. Song at 22-9-1 and Figueiredo at 25-6-1, while the UFC rankings currently place Song at No. 5 and Figueiredo at No. 7 in the bantamweight division.
That ranking gap matters. Song is not just defending a number beside his name; he is trying to stay close to the elite tier of the division. Figueiredo, meanwhile, is trying to show that his championship experience still carries over against bigger, younger bantamweights.
Why This Fight Matters at Bantamweight
The UFC bantamweight division is one of the deepest in MMA. It has speed, wrestling, striking variety, championship-level experience, and a constant rotation of contenders trying to separate themselves.
That makes Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo more than just a strong Fight Night main event. It is a pressure test for both men.
Song needs a clean performance after his recent setback against Sean O’Malley at UFC 324, where O’Malley won a competitive unanimous decision. Figueiredo is also coming off a difficult result, losing a unanimous decision to Umar Nurmagomedov at the same event.
Both fighters are entering this matchup with something to prove.
Song Yadong Fighter Background
Song Yadong, known as “Kung Fu Kid,” has grown from a young prospect into a proven UFC bantamweight contender. He is fast, explosive, physically strong for the division, and comfortable fighting at a high pace.
Song’s official statistical profile lists him at 22-9-1 with 1 no contest, with a significant striking rate of 4.42 landed per minute and 55% significant strike defense.
His best work usually comes when he can pressure behind quick boxing combinations, punish exits with power shots, and mix in timely wrestling. He is not a pure volume striker, but when he commits, his punches carry real impact.
Song has also shown that he can compete with elite opposition. However, the next step is consistency. Against the very top of the division, small mistakes matter, and this fight gives him a chance to show growth after facing high-level names.
Deiveson Figueiredo Fighter Background
Deiveson Figueiredo is one of the most accomplished lighter-weight fighters of his era. The Brazilian is a former two-time UFC flyweight champion, and his UFC profile highlights that championship background.
At flyweight, Figueiredo built his reputation on power, submission danger, toughness, and finishing instinct. At bantamweight, the question is different: can he consistently handle bigger opponents who can match his strength and push a harder physical pace?
Figueiredo’s official statistical profile lists him at 25-6-1, fighting at bantamweight with a 68-inch reach and orthodox stance.
Even at 135 pounds, he remains dangerous. He still has sharp counters, strong grappling instincts, and the ability to threaten submissions in scrambles. But the bantamweight division gives him less margin for error than flyweight did.
Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo Style Matchup
This fight is interesting because both men are powerful, but they apply that power differently.
Song is the cleaner athlete in open space. He moves well, throws fast combinations, and can explode into range. His boxing is compact, and when he is confident, he can pressure without looking reckless.
Figueiredo is more opportunistic. He likes moments. He can slow a fight down, wait for an opening, and suddenly attack with a heavy counter, a clinch entry, or a submission threat.
That creates a classic question: can Song keep the fight at his tempo, or can Figueiredo turn it into a slower, more tactical battle?
Striking Breakdown
On the feet, Song should have advantages in speed, footwork, and combination punching. His best path is to stay busy without overextending. If he pressures behind jabs, low kicks, and short boxing combinations, he can make Figueiredo reset often.
Figueiredo’s power is still real, though. He does not need to win every minute to change a round. His counters can punish Song if Song enters too square or exits in a straight line.
The key for Song is discipline. He cannot admire his work after landing. He needs to strike, angle off, and avoid giving Figueiredo clean counter opportunities.
Grappling and Wrestling Analysis
Figueiredo is dangerous in grappling exchanges. He has the experience, instincts, and submission awareness to punish careless scrambles. If Song shoots without setup or leaves his neck exposed, Figueiredo can turn a defensive moment into offense.
Song’s wrestling is underrated, especially when he uses it to support his striking. He does not need to dominate Figueiredo on the mat. He only needs to make Figueiredo respect the takedown threat.
That could open the striking. Even a few clinch exchanges or level changes can make Figueiredo hesitate.
Cardio, Pace, and Fight IQ
Pace may decide this fight.
Song is younger and naturally built for bantamweight. If he forces long exchanges, pushes Figueiredo backward, and makes the Brazilian work defensively, the fight could slowly move in his direction.
Figueiredo’s best route is efficiency. He should avoid chasing Song, protect his gas tank, and look for high-value moments: counters, clinch control, body attacks, and submission threats.
Fight IQ will be huge. Song cannot turn this into a wild firefight just because the crowd is behind him in Asia. Figueiredo cannot wait too long and give away early rounds.
How Song Yadong Can Win
Song can win by using speed, pressure, and volume in measured bursts. He should target the legs, jab to the body and head, and keep Figueiredo reacting.
His best weapons are:
- Fast boxing combinations
- Low kicks to slow Figueiredo’s base
- Takedown threats after striking exchanges
- Cage pressure
- Higher round-by-round activity
If Song avoids extended grappling danger and stays defensively responsible, he has a strong route to a decision win.
How Deiveson Figueiredo Can Win
Figueiredo can win by making the fight uncomfortable and punishing Song’s entries. He should not try to match Song’s speed for five rounds. Instead, he needs to disrupt rhythm.
His best weapons are:
- Counter right hands
- Clinch control
- Guillotine and back-take threats
- Body attacks
- Experience in high-pressure fights
If Figueiredo can slow Song down and turn exchanges into grappling battles, he can absolutely win rounds or find a finish.
Fight Prediction
This is a competitive matchup, but the slight lean is Song Yadong by decision.
Song’s youth, speed, natural bantamweight size, and ability to mix striking with wrestling give him the cleaner path over five rounds. Figueiredo is still dangerous, especially early, but Song should be able to outwork him if he stays composed.
Prediction: Song Yadong wins by unanimous decision.
Key Information Section
- Fight: Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo
- Event: UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo
- Promotion: UFC
- Weight class: Bantamweight
- Date: May 30, 2026
- Location: Galaxy Arena, Macau SAR, China
- Fight status: Scheduled main event
- Song Yadong record: 22-9-1, with 1 NC noted by UFCStats
- Deiveson Figueiredo record: 25-6-1
- Current UFC bantamweight ranking: Song No. 5, Figueiredo No. 7
- Recent Song result: Loss to Sean O’Malley by unanimous decision at UFC 324
- Recent Figueiredo result: Loss to Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision at UFC 324
- Main storyline: Song’s speed and pressure vs Figueiredo’s experience, power, and grappling danger
