MMA Preview – Marlon Moraes vs Song Yadong at UFC Fight Night 203
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MARLON MORAES VS SONG YADONG FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 203? Saturday 12th March, 2022 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 203? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 203? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Fight Night 203 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 203? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
MARLON MORAES VS SONG YADONG LOWDOWN
After pulling off three performances of the night in a row, Marlon Moraes (23-9-1) was storming his way to the vacant bantamweight title. Now, less than three years later he is lucky to not be on a five-fight losing streak. He got humbled by Henry Cejudo (2019) in the title fight after gassing out. He then picked up a split decision over Jose Aldo which should have really gone the other way and then he got paired with three more monsters who all knocked him out. Cory Sandhagen (2020), Rob Font (2020) and Merab Dvalishvili (2021) all put him away before the third round.
It does not get much easier as Song Yadong (18-5-1(1)) is the next man lined up. He also fell on the right side of a controversial decision which was against Marlon Vera (2020). All three judges gave him the nod and then he lost a unanimous decision to Kyler Phillips which was his first loss since 2016. He is now back on winning track with a split decision over Casey Kenney and knock out over Julio Arce ignited by a beautiful head kick.
MARLON MORAES VS SONG YADONG PREDICTION
Fighting Song Yadong on a four or five-fight win streak is a tough break. Yadong is full of confidence and still only 24 years old with more room for improvement. He has always been an explosive striker and is becoming more refined at Team Alpha Male.
He still has to respect the weapons of Moraes. He is still one of the most dangerous strikers in the division, for the first round at least. He has lightening speed with minimal telegraph on his kicks and hooks.
Yadong will no doubt have a strategy of being patient for the first round but ready to uncork his monstrous hooks. Moraes needs to stick to his strengths and chop Yadong down with kicks, but if he is hesitant, Yadong will ruthlessly counter.
Moraes has to have worked on his pacing. Whether he has smashed cardio this training camp or simply plans to be patient for the first two rounds. Either way, Yadong is a bad match-up who will not only keep up a pace, but he the power to deplete the health bar with a couple strikes.
We can see another decision or knockout loss for Moraes, but as the underdog, he is the value bet as he still has the tools to end the fight in an instant.
Prediction: Yadong via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Moraes to win
