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MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at UFC Fight Night 277's main event between Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo.
Staple info:
Supplemental info:
Staple info:
Supplemental info:
The main event in Macau features a potential bantamweight banger between Deiveson Figueiredo and Song Yadong.
Appearing to be a pressure-fighting wildman on the Brazilian regional scene, Figueiredo has seemingly sharpened his style and approach since touching down in the UFC octagon. Figueiredo still relies heavily upon his head and trunk movement, but will now add a long, almost karate-style framing defense from both stances, as well as flick out more jabs and straight shots to help establish his range.
This approach both accentuates Figueiredo’s length and entices risky entries from his opposition, opening them up to the Brazilian’s powerful counters. Whether Figueiredo is unloading counter crosses or uppercuts, the former flyweight champ has traditionally demonstrated stellar timing and anticipation to go along with his John Lineker-like power and knockdown rate.
Figueiredo has also leaned more on his calf kicks since his series with Brandon Moreno, demonstrating the ability to land stance-altering shots at range. That said, attacking the lower extremities will be a potentially potent and tricky two-way street in this matchup when you consider the kick-countering acumen of Song.
Starting his martial arts journey at the legendary Shaolin temple, Song makes for a unique fighter given the historical spectrum of combat arts that he’s been exposed to. Still, there isn’t too much traditional swagger in Song’s style to speak of, given that the Chinese fighter seems to favor more boxing and kickboxing-centric weapons.
Whether Song is staying planted or opting for more fencing-like footwork, the 28-year-old does a decent job of staying on balance and looking for his spots to explode. Yadong has excellent eyes in exchanges that – coupled with his incredible speed – make him a formidable puncher both coming forward and off the counter.
Despite being known for his devastating right hand, Song has quietly sharpened his lead hand with his use of jabs and hooks. Song is also an excellent kicker himself, but I'm not sure how much he'll lean on those tools considering the looming threat of a potential takedown from Figueiredo.
Considering that Figueiredo has arguably leaned heavier on his grappling skills since moving up to bantamweight, necks could be on notice in Macau.
Even though Figueiredo is arguably known more for his striking threats on the feet, the former flyweight – who earned multiple grappling accolades during his time spent under Marajo Brothers Team – translates his power just fine in the grappling department.
More of a positional-based player who carries deceptive transitional savvy, Figueiredo likes to apply himself both in the clinch and from topside, seemingly taking great pleasure in making his opposition feel his weight and strength.
We saw a beautiful example of this in Figueiredo’s first meeting with Joseph Benavidez, as the Brazilian defended takedowns nicely both in the open and from the clinch. Doing a great job of breaking grips and framing off hips, Figueiredo not-so-subtly used his head to re-steer Benavidez towards the fence, taking the outside position.
However, if Figueiredo unsuccessfully sells out on guillotines (like he did against Jared Brooks) or ends up on his back, then he’ll still likely need to demonstrate some healthy urgency to get back to a positive position considering Song’s size and strength from topside.
Song, who has been training stateside with Team Alpha Male, has done a much better job in grappling scenarios. Whether he’s shutting down takedowns with his wicked-fast sprawl or changing his level for a takedown of his own, Song’s ability to wrestle only seems to get better and better.
When working from topside, Song possesses excellent instincts that range from powerful ground-and-pound to his ability to quickly take a back. And when Song is forced to grapple from negative positions, the Chinese fighter demonstrates improved get-up options.
However, whether Song is re-wrestling and swimming for singles or is scrambling to stand, the 13-year pro can sometimes transition to and from Team Alpha Male's favored turtle position – which is something that could get him into trouble against an opportunistic back-taker like Figueiredo.
The oddsmakers and public are heavily favoring the Chinese fighter, listing Song -590 and Figueiredo +390 via FanDuel.
Despite not disagreeing with who is favored, I feel like we’re steering into trap-fight territory with the width of the betting odds listed above.
I know MMA gamblers get tumescent over age gaps like the one that exists between these two, but let’s not pretend that Song has been the most reliable fighter who knows how to stick to a game plan. In fact, even in victory, it’s not uncommon to see Song get sidetracked from objectives and initiatives in favor of fighting with more of a fencing flow and falling back into his old habits of headhunting (something that cost him a crucial third round last time out opposite Sean O’Malley).
Should Song get even slightly stymied by Figueiredo’s stance-switching counters and level-changing threats, then I won’t be shocked to see the former flyweight champ start to steadily take over the steering wheel and steal some rounds from his somewhat hittable Chinese counterpart.
However, even though taking a flier on Figueiredo at these odds is tempting, I can't ignore the fact that the Brazilian – even in his more recent wins – appears to be walking a fine line as far as establishing a solid output or winning conditions go.
It’s upsetting that the UFC wasted what was left of Figueiredo’s prime with those near-endless rematches with Brandon Moreno, because I believed that he was naturally built to be a bantamweight. But with Figueiredo's now-suspect staying power and stamina becoming even more apparent, I’m no longer confident in his ability to consistently capitalize on Song’s mistakes, much less outlast him down the stretch.
Despite flyweights going the distance more often than not, it feels like this fight will force a tipping point in some form or fashion out of both fighters. And with Figueiredo’s age being one of the bigger red flags on paper, I suspect that the proverbial scales shift toward Song this Saturday.
Whether it be by a clean kick counter or an accumulation of damage, I’ll officially pick Song to force a stoppage before the final frame.
Prediction: Song inside the distance
As the main event, Song and Figueiredo are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 9:35 a.m. ET. The fight streams on Paramount+.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo pick, odds, time: UFC Macau
Continue reading...
Song Yadong UFC Fight Night 277 preview
Staple info:
- Record: 22-9-1 MMA, 11-4-1 UFC
- Height: 5'8" Age: 28 Weight: 135 lbs. Reach: 67"
- Last fight: Decision loss to Sean O'Malley (Jan. 24, 2026)
- Camp: Team Alpha Male (China/Calif.)
- Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
- Risk management: Good
Supplemental info:
- + Chinese kung fu background
- + Regional grappling accolades
- + 9 KO victories
- + 3 submission victories
- + 7 first-round finishes
- + KO power
- + Explosive athlete
- ^ Deceptive distance closer
- + Dangerous right hand
- ^ Coming forward or off the counter
- + Hard leg kicks
- + Strong inside the clinch
- + Solid wrestling ability
- ^ Defensively and offensively
- + Improved transitional grappler
Deiveson Figueiredo UFC Fight Night 277 preview
Staple info:
- Record: 25-6-1 MMA, 14-6-1 UFC
- Height: 5'5" Age: 38 Weight: 135 lbs. Reach: 68"
- Last fight: Decision loss to Umar Nurmagomedov (Jan. 24, 2026)
- Camp: Team Figueiredo (Brazil)
- Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/muay Thai
- Risk management: Good
Supplemental info:
- + Former 2x UFC flyweight champion
- + Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
- + 9 KO victories
- + 9 submission wins
- + 11 first-round finishes
- + KO power
- + Well-timed right hands/uppercuts
- ^ Coming forward or off the counter
- + Hard calf kicks
- + Slicing elbows from multiple ranges
- + Strong inside the clinch
- + Improved wrestling ability
- ^ Solid reactive shots
- + Transitions well from topside
- ^ Dangerous strikes and submissions
Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo point of interest: Maniacs in Macau
The main event in Macau features a potential bantamweight banger between Deiveson Figueiredo and Song Yadong.
Appearing to be a pressure-fighting wildman on the Brazilian regional scene, Figueiredo has seemingly sharpened his style and approach since touching down in the UFC octagon. Figueiredo still relies heavily upon his head and trunk movement, but will now add a long, almost karate-style framing defense from both stances, as well as flick out more jabs and straight shots to help establish his range.
This approach both accentuates Figueiredo’s length and entices risky entries from his opposition, opening them up to the Brazilian’s powerful counters. Whether Figueiredo is unloading counter crosses or uppercuts, the former flyweight champ has traditionally demonstrated stellar timing and anticipation to go along with his John Lineker-like power and knockdown rate.
Figueiredo has also leaned more on his calf kicks since his series with Brandon Moreno, demonstrating the ability to land stance-altering shots at range. That said, attacking the lower extremities will be a potentially potent and tricky two-way street in this matchup when you consider the kick-countering acumen of Song.
Starting his martial arts journey at the legendary Shaolin temple, Song makes for a unique fighter given the historical spectrum of combat arts that he’s been exposed to. Still, there isn’t too much traditional swagger in Song’s style to speak of, given that the Chinese fighter seems to favor more boxing and kickboxing-centric weapons.
Whether Song is staying planted or opting for more fencing-like footwork, the 28-year-old does a decent job of staying on balance and looking for his spots to explode. Yadong has excellent eyes in exchanges that – coupled with his incredible speed – make him a formidable puncher both coming forward and off the counter.
Despite being known for his devastating right hand, Song has quietly sharpened his lead hand with his use of jabs and hooks. Song is also an excellent kicker himself, but I'm not sure how much he'll lean on those tools considering the looming threat of a potential takedown from Figueiredo.
Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo point of interest: Potential grappling threats
Considering that Figueiredo has arguably leaned heavier on his grappling skills since moving up to bantamweight, necks could be on notice in Macau.
Even though Figueiredo is arguably known more for his striking threats on the feet, the former flyweight – who earned multiple grappling accolades during his time spent under Marajo Brothers Team – translates his power just fine in the grappling department.
More of a positional-based player who carries deceptive transitional savvy, Figueiredo likes to apply himself both in the clinch and from topside, seemingly taking great pleasure in making his opposition feel his weight and strength.
We saw a beautiful example of this in Figueiredo’s first meeting with Joseph Benavidez, as the Brazilian defended takedowns nicely both in the open and from the clinch. Doing a great job of breaking grips and framing off hips, Figueiredo not-so-subtly used his head to re-steer Benavidez towards the fence, taking the outside position.
However, if Figueiredo unsuccessfully sells out on guillotines (like he did against Jared Brooks) or ends up on his back, then he’ll still likely need to demonstrate some healthy urgency to get back to a positive position considering Song’s size and strength from topside.
Song, who has been training stateside with Team Alpha Male, has done a much better job in grappling scenarios. Whether he’s shutting down takedowns with his wicked-fast sprawl or changing his level for a takedown of his own, Song’s ability to wrestle only seems to get better and better.
When working from topside, Song possesses excellent instincts that range from powerful ground-and-pound to his ability to quickly take a back. And when Song is forced to grapple from negative positions, the Chinese fighter demonstrates improved get-up options.
However, whether Song is re-wrestling and swimming for singles or is scrambling to stand, the 13-year pro can sometimes transition to and from Team Alpha Male's favored turtle position – which is something that could get him into trouble against an opportunistic back-taker like Figueiredo.
Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo odds
The oddsmakers and public are heavily favoring the Chinese fighter, listing Song -590 and Figueiredo +390 via FanDuel.
Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo prediction, pick
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Despite not disagreeing with who is favored, I feel like we’re steering into trap-fight territory with the width of the betting odds listed above.
I know MMA gamblers get tumescent over age gaps like the one that exists between these two, but let’s not pretend that Song has been the most reliable fighter who knows how to stick to a game plan. In fact, even in victory, it’s not uncommon to see Song get sidetracked from objectives and initiatives in favor of fighting with more of a fencing flow and falling back into his old habits of headhunting (something that cost him a crucial third round last time out opposite Sean O’Malley).
Should Song get even slightly stymied by Figueiredo’s stance-switching counters and level-changing threats, then I won’t be shocked to see the former flyweight champ start to steadily take over the steering wheel and steal some rounds from his somewhat hittable Chinese counterpart.
However, even though taking a flier on Figueiredo at these odds is tempting, I can't ignore the fact that the Brazilian – even in his more recent wins – appears to be walking a fine line as far as establishing a solid output or winning conditions go.
It’s upsetting that the UFC wasted what was left of Figueiredo’s prime with those near-endless rematches with Brandon Moreno, because I believed that he was naturally built to be a bantamweight. But with Figueiredo's now-suspect staying power and stamina becoming even more apparent, I’m no longer confident in his ability to consistently capitalize on Song’s mistakes, much less outlast him down the stretch.
Despite flyweights going the distance more often than not, it feels like this fight will force a tipping point in some form or fashion out of both fighters. And with Figueiredo’s age being one of the bigger red flags on paper, I suspect that the proverbial scales shift toward Song this Saturday.
Whether it be by a clean kick counter or an accumulation of damage, I’ll officially pick Song to force a stoppage before the final frame.
Prediction: Song inside the distance
Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo start time, how to watch
As the main event, Song and Figueiredo are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 9:35 a.m. ET. The fight streams on Paramount+.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo pick, odds, time: UFC Macau
Continue reading...
