Yan vs. Yadong Prediction: UFC 299 Betting Odds
Yan has fallen on hard times since claiming the UFC bantamweight title with an epic five-round unanimous decision win over the legendary Jose Aldo almost four years ago at UFC 251. The 31-year-old Russian has since lost four of five fights including each of his past three, capped by a unanimous decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili almost a year ago at UFC Fight Night 221 that marked the fourth time in six fights that he has gone a full five rounds. Song Yadong returns to the octagon for the second time in four months after claiming a five-round unanimous decision over Chris Gutierrez in December at UFC Vegas 83. With wins in five of his past six fights, the “Kung Fu Kid” now sits as the No. 7 contender on the UFC bantamweight rankings.
Despite his current run of losses, Yan has emerged as a slender -125 favourite on the UFC 299 odds ahead of Saturday night’s three-round clash at Kaseya Center in Miami. Song trails as a +105 underdog, while -250 odds favour this bantamweight tilt going the distance.
Bet on Yan vs. Yadong at UFC 299
Petr Yan Odds
Yan has plenty of work to do to redeem himself after getting outclassed in his loss to Dvalishvili last March. In addition to getting taken down 11 times, “No Mercy” was also outstruck by a wide 401-155 margin while losing all five rounds of that contest. Yan kept things far closer in his narrow split-decision defeats at the hands of current champion Sean O’Malley and former champ Aljamain Sterling, but it is tough to shake the feeling that his recent string of marathon fights is starting to take a cumulative toll.
Still, it is tough to ignore Yan’s credentials. In addition to his impressive durability, Yan has demonstrated his ability to wear down opponents with impressive punching power. And decide struggling last time out, Yan is skilled at defending against takedowns.
Song Yadong Odds
Song demonstrated his increasing ability to wear done opponents in his December victory, surviving a bid by Chris Gutierrez to finish things early while steadily seizing control of the fight on his way to a five-round decision. With each of his past two fights going a full five rounds, the Kung Fu Kid has negated any endurance advantage that Yan may have had. However, Song must use his ability to change levels to his advantage against the hard-hitting Russian, who has won seven of the eight UFC contests in which he has landed the most strikes.
Petr Yan vs Song Yadong Prediction
Fight fans can expect these fighters to put on a show in Saturday’s main card opener, which promises to be a slugfest that goes the distance. However, while these fighters share many similarities in style and skillset, it tough not to give the edge to Song over Yan, who is showing signs of decline after a sensational run of seven epic fights.
