Song Yadong vs. Ricky Simon Prediction: Can Simon Handle Yadong at UFC Fight Night?

Song Yadong vs. Ricky Simon Prediction: Can Simon Handle Yadong at UFC Fight Night?

Song Yadong versus Ricky Simon is the only thing keeping this card from looking like Bellator prelims. You know an event is in the mud when four women's bantamweights stumble onto the main card. But just because the card is terrible doesn't mean that there is no money to be made. The action on this fight's moneyline is split down the middle, and MMA fans have no idea who to bet on. But I do because I am better than all of them. It is simple, really.

Yadong vs. Simon Start Time and Where to Watch

• Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023
• Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN+

Song Yadong vs. Ricky Simon Prediction

Despite his mullet, Ricky Simon is the favorite in this bout. He is riding a quiet five-fight-win streak into the octagon. Simon keeps a frenetic pace in all of his fights, and he will have to continue to do that if he wants to overcome Yadong. We have not seen Ricky go 25 minutes in a UFC bout, but he kind of looks like the little Energizer Bunny from the commercials, so he should be fine. The biggest worry for Simon bettors is that he can get sloppy and desperate when hunting for takedowns. If this fight does not hit the ground early and often, this will be a long night for the No. 10 ranked bantamweight.

Song Yadong is a +100 underdog in this matchup, and there is absolutely nothing humorous about his last name at all. The Chinese native is coming off of a competitive loss to Cory Sandhagen. Although he came up short, the loss gave us a lot to dissect. Song stuffed 13 of 14 takedown attempts while landing the same number of strikes as arguably the best striker in the division.

The fight was dead even on most people's scorecards heading into the fifth round before the doctor stoppage. Stylistically this is a much different matchup, but if he is able to replicate the things that he did well in that fight, then he will be successful against Simon.

At the end of the day, I cannot bet on a fighter that has been knocked out by Urijah Faber. Song is too durable and explosive for Simon. At 25 years old, he has already faced tougher competition and is more proven than his adversary. And he is an underdog? Like Jon Jones, I cannot pass on this line.

Song Yadong vs. Ricky Simon Pick

Official Pick: 1 unit on Song Yadong ML +100 Get the best odds for this pick by checking every sportsbook here

UFC Odds

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