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On December 11, 2021, two bantamweight fighters, Song Yadong, also known as “The Kung Fu Monkey,” and Merab Dvalishvili, also known as “The Machine,” faced off in a highly anticipated UFC bout. The fight took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was broadcasted on ESPN+ for viewers around the world.
Saturday, March 11 at 6 p.m. ET
Song Yadong, a 23-year-old Chinese fighter, entered the bout with a record of 16-5-1 and was coming off of a loss in his previous fight against Kyler Phillips. Despite the loss, Yadong had shown exceptional striking ability in his previous fights, earning him a reputation as one of the most promising young fighters in the UFC.
Merab Dvalishvili, on the other hand, was a more experienced fighter with a record of 14-4-0. Dvalishvili, who hails from Georgia, had showcased impressive wrestling skills in his previous fights, earning him the nickname “The Machine.” Dvalishvili was coming off of a three-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory being a unanimous decision against Cody Stamann.
The fight between Yadong and Dvalishvili was a clash between two fighters with different styles. Yadong was known for his striking abilities, with 9 of his 16 wins coming by way of knockout. Dvalishvili, on the other hand, was known for his wrestling abilities, with 8 of his 14 wins coming by way of decision.
The first round of the fight was dominated by Dvalishvili, who was able to take Yadong down to the mat and control him for the majority of the round. Yadong was able to defend himself well, avoiding taking any significant damage, but was unable to mount any significant offense of his own.
The second round saw a more competitive back-and-forth between the two fighters, with Yadong showcasing his striking abilities and landing several significant strikes on Dvalishvili. However, Dvalishvili was able to take Yadong down once again and control him for the majority of the round.
The third and final round saw Yadong come out aggressively, looking to land a knockout blow and secure a victory. However, Dvalishvili was able to weather Yadong’s attacks and take him down once again, effectively sealing his victory.
In the end, the fight was awarded to Dvalishvili by way of unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 30-27 in favor of Dvalishvili. The victory was a testament to Dvalishvili’s exceptional wrestling abilities, which allowed him to control Yadong throughout the fight.
The fight between Yadong and Dvalishvili was not just a clash between two fighters with different styles, but also a clash between two fighters with different goals. Yadong was looking to bounce back from a loss and continue his ascent up the bantamweight division rankings, while Dvalishvili was looking to solidify his place among the top contenders in the division and potentially earn a shot at the title.
With the victory, Dvalishvili proved that he was one of the most talented and skilled fighters in the bantamweight division. His exceptional wrestling abilities and ability to control his opponents on the ground make him a formidable opponent for any fighter in the division.
As for Yadong, the loss was a setback in his quest for the bantamweight title, but he has shown in his previous fights that he has the talent and skill to compete at the highest level. MMA fans will undoubtedly be watching to see how both fighters progress in their careers in the coming months and years.
