Song Yadong Net Worth, How much UFC Fighter Earn Per Fight ?
Song Yadong, a Chinese mixed martial artist, competes in the UFC's Bantamweight division. As of February 25, 2025, he's ranked #6 in the division.
Jaanvy Gill 
He was originally set to headline UFC on ESPN 63 against Umar Nurmagomedov on December 14, 2024, but had to withdraw due to injury.On February 22, 2025, Song took on former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo in the main event of UFC Fight Night 252. The fight ended in a technical decision win for Song after an accidental eye poke left Cejudo unable to continue at the start of the fourth round.
Song Yadong Early Life
Song Yadong was born on December 2, 1997, in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China. From a young age, he was drawn to martial arts, starting with traditional Chinese disciplines like Sanda and Wushu before eventually shifting to MMA.
When he was just nine, his mother enrolled him in a Sanda school, where he sharpened his striking skills. By 13, he had already set his sights on MMA, training under top coaches to develop his grappling and overall fight game. His natural talent and relentless work ethic helped him stand out early, and at only 15, he made his professional MMA debut.Those early years of dedication and training shaped his aggressive, well-rounded fighting style, setting the stage for his rise in the UFC.
What is Song Yadong Net Worth ?
As of February 2025, Song Yadong’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million. Most of his earnings come from his MMA career, which he started at just 15 years old. Since making his UFC debut in 2017, he has stepped into the octagon 14 times, winning 10 of those fights.
| Name | Song Yadong |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $500,000 – $1 million |
| Total UFC Fights (Since 2017) | 14 fights (10 wins) |
| Performance Bonuses | 5x Performance of the Night, 1x Fight of the Night ($300,000 total) |
| Recent Fight Earnings (UFC 299 vs. Petr Yan) | $90,000 base salary + $11,000 sponsorships |
| Fight Earnings (vs. Chris Gutierrez, Dec 2023) | $261,000 |
| Fight Earnings (vs. Ricky Simon) | $350,000 base salary + $100,000 win bonus + $50,000 performance bonus + $20,000 sponsorships ($520,000 total) |
| Sponsorships | Partnered with Trifecta Nutrition (exact details undisclosed) |
Song Yadong Fight Earnings
Since joining the UFC in 2017, Song Yadong has fought 14 times, winning 10 of those bouts. His earnings have been boosted by multiple performance bonuses, including five Performance of the Night awards and one Fight of the Night bonus, adding up to around $300,000.
In his most recent fight at UFC 299 against Petr Yan, Song took home a base salary of $90,000, plus $11,000 from sponsorships, despite the loss. His previous fight against Chris Gutierrez in December 2023 earned him approximately $261,000. One of his biggest paydays came from his win over Ricky Simon, where he pocketed a total of $520,000—$350,000 as a base salary, a $100,000 win bonus, a $50,000 performance bonus, and $20,000 from sponsorships.
Song Yadong's Endorsements
Apart from his fight earnings, Song has also landed endorsement deals, including one with Trifecta Nutrition, a meal-planning company. While the details of his sponsorship agreements aren’t publicly known, they play a role in boosting his overall net worth.
Song Yadong's MMA Career
Song Yadong began his professional MMA career at just 15 years old, competing in China’s regional circuits. His early training in Sanda and Wushu provided him with a strong striking foundation, helping him stand out as a young fighter.
In November 2017, he made his UFC debut against Bharat Kandare at UFC Fight Night 122, securing a first-round submission victory. His explosive performances quickly established him as one of the most promising prospects in the bantamweight division.
Throughout his UFC career, Song has faced and defeated several tough opponents. He earned a dominant unanimous decision victory over Vince Morales at UFC Fight Night 141 in May 2018 and secured another hard-fought decision win against Marlon Vera at UFC Fight Night 157 in November 2019. Despite suffering a setback against Kyler Phillips at UFC 259 in March 2021, he bounced back with a TKO victory over Julio Arce at UFC Fight Night 197 in November 2021.
One of his most notable wins came against Ricky Simon at UFC Fight Night 223 in April 2023, where his dominant performance earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. He later faced former bantamweight champion Petr Yan at UFC 299 in March 2024 but lost via decision. However, he rebounded in February 2025 with a technical decision win over Henry Cejudo at UFC Fight Night 252, after an eye poke rendered Cejudo unable to continue.
Song Yadong is known for his explosive striking, durability, and knockout power. His background in Sanda and Wushu provides him with elite-level kickboxing and movement, while his grappling and takedown defense have improved significantly over the years. As of February 2025, he is ranked #6 in the UFC bantamweight division. With his continued growth and experience, he remains a top contender and is steadily working toward a future title shot.
Song Yadong recently spoke out about the eye poke incident in his UFC Seattle main event against Henry Cejudo, acknowledging the controversy that has surrounded it in the days since. Taking full responsibility, Song admitted that it was an unfortunate part of the fight and not something he intended.
He also reflected on his own experiences with injuries throughout his career, emphasizing how tough it can be for fighters to deal with setbacks. Understanding the frustration from fans and Cejudo himself, Song remained respectful, expressing his desire to move forward and continue proving himself in the bantamweight division.
