Petr Yan vs. Song Yadong: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Russian former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan returns to the Octagon after a year-long hiatus. He was desperate to end his three-fight skid when he squared off against Song Yadong of China at UFC 299 in March. Both fighters are experiencing different fortunes in their career now. While Yan couldn’t buy a win, Song Yadong won his last two. UFC 299 takes place in Miami, Florida, at the Kaseya Center on the weekend of March 10. Early odds indicate Petr Yan as the slight favorite. The two top-ten bantamweights were billed to headline UFC Fight Night 233 last December, but Yan withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Chris Gutierrez.

Since losing the UFC bantamweight gold to Aljamain Sterling in April 2022, Petr Yan has seemingly lost his way in the Octagon. Dropping decisions to Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley in 2022 and Merab Dvalishvili early last year has left “No Mercy” with a 0-3 record in his last three fights. The former ACB bantamweight champion won the vacant UFC bantamweight gold when he defeated Jose Aldo following the retirement of Henry Cejudo. Petr Yan lost the title at his first defense following a DQ for an illegal knee against Sterling. The American Top Team member’s last win came via a 2021 decision over Cory Sandhagen. A sensation in his early days in the promotion, Petr Yan won seven consecutive matches from his UFC debut to his championship win.

• Age: 30
• Height: 5’ 7”
• Reach: 67”
• Weight: 135 lbs
• Record: 16-5

The 26-year-old Chinese won a decision over Chris Gutierrez last December in his fourth consecutive headliner. Originally billed to headline the UFC Fight Night with Yan, the top-ten-ranked Bantamweight had to contend with lesser-known Gutierrez. With the win, “The Kung Fu Kid” continues to push forward in the tough 135-pound class. The Sanda fighter made his UFC debut in 2017 and has competed in the featherweight division. The number seven-ranked Bantamweight has won several performance bonuses in the UFC.

• Age: 26
• Height: 5’ 8”
• Reach: 67”
• Record: 21-7-2 (1Draw, 1 NC)

Petr Yan is a 1.635 favorite on Betwinner. 1XBET has the underdog at 2.254 odds. On Bet365, Song Yadong is priced at 2.30 for the upset.