Song Yadong secured the biggest victory of his career by submitting Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau. The win marks a significant milestone for the Chinese bantamweight contender.
Song Yadong submitted Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau on May 30, 2026, earning what stands as the most significant win of his MMA career and reshaping the bantamweight divisional picture in the process.
Song, known as the "Kung Fu Kid," entered the fight ranked sixth in the bantamweight division with a record of 22-9-1. The 28-year-old is one of the more prolific strikers in the 135-pound class, averaging 4.42 significant strikes per minute. That offensive output, combined with 43 percent striking accuracy, has made him a consistent presence near the top of the division. A submission finish was an uncommon result for Song, who averages just 0.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — underlining just how remarkable this finish was.
Figueiredo, a former two-division champion fighting out of Brazil under the banner of Team Figueiredo, came in ranked fifth at bantamweight with a record of 25-6-1. At 38 years old, the fighter known as "Deus da Guerra" brought considerable grappling pedigree into the bout, averaging 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Standing 165 cm tall with a 173 cm reach, Figueiredo has long relied on a combination of sharp striking — 53 percent accuracy — and active grappling to wear down opponents.
Why it matters
- Song moves above Figueiredo in the bantamweight rankings and strengthens a case for a top-five matchup or title contention.
- The submission finish signals a dimension to Song's game that opponents and coaches will now be forced to account for.
- At 38, Figueiredo faces questions about where he goes next after suffering a submission loss to a divisional rival.
- Both fighters were ranked within one spot of each other, meaning the win carries direct implications for the bantamweight pecking order.
