UFC Macau Headliner Song Yadong Admits to Using ‘Fake ID’ to Start MMA Career

Chinese fighters have become increasingly important in UFC through stars with Zhang Weili, Yan Xiaonan, and Li Jingliang bolstering the ranks. Song Yadong also emerged as one of China’s top MMA names and now prepares to headline UFC Macau against former champion Deiveson Figueiredo.

Ahead of the event, Yadong recently revealed the struggles he faced entering professional MMA during his teenage years. Yadong was born in Harbin, China, and was raised by his single mother. He entered a Sanda martial arts school at age 9 before transitioning to mixed martial arts training as a teenager.

Yadong made his UFC debut against Bharat Khandare at UFC Fight Night 132 in June 2018, winning by unanimous decision. He later relocated to Sacramento to train alongside Team Alpha Male under MMA legend Urijah Faber.

Yadong currently sits at number five in the UFC bantamweight rankings ahead of his UFC Macau main event against Deiveson Figueiredo. The former UFC flyweight champion represents a big test of Yadong’s career. A victory could potentially move the Chinese contender into the division’s top three. Recently, Song admitted he used false identification documents to bypass China’s MMA age restrictions.

When I was 15 or 16, I couldn’t fight because to fight pro. You had to be 18. My manager had to use a fake ID for me. In 2014, they thought I was 18, but I definitely was not.

Song Yadong via Full Send MMA

Song Yadong admits he had to use a fake ID to start his pro MMA career in China because of the age limit

“When I was 15 or 16 I couldn’t fight because to fight pro you had to be 18. My manager had to use a fake ID for me. In 2014 they thought I was 18, but I definitely was not” pic.twitter.com/bSrbyuY59d

— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) May 27, 2026

The Chinese bantamweight enters UFC Macau looking to rebound after his recent defeat against Sean O’Malley at UFC 324 earlier this year. Before that setback, he secured a controversial technical decision victory over former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo. Their fight ended during the third round after Cejudo suffered an eye injury caused by an accidental poke from Song.

Despite China’s strict sporting regulations, Yadong consistently defended his country throughout his UFC career. The Chinese contender previously called out Sean Strickland over remarks many considered discriminatory toward China and its people. Yadong criticized the UFC middleweight champion after several controversial comments regarding the country surfaced online.

The UFC now returns to China following its successful August Shanghai 2025 event, with UFC Macau featuring several notable international fighters. Rising prospect Mingyang Zhang also appears on the card and so does former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura. For Song Yadong, the UFC Macau main event offers another opportunity to strengthen his standing among the bantamweight division’s elite.

Song Yadong reveals which fighter he wants to meet the most

Conor McGregor became one of combat sports’ biggest stars through his charisma, knockout power, and UFC accomplishments. The Irishman became the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion after winning both featherweight and lightweight titles. McGregor also headlined UFC 229 against Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, which became the highest-selling pay-per-view event in UFC history.

McGregor’s last UFC appearance came at UFC 264 in 2021 against Dustin Poirier, where the fight ended after a leg injury stopped the contest. He has now been away from the octagon for nearly five years and is expected to return at UFC 329 in a high-profile rematch against Max Holloway. Song Yadong recently said that McGregor has been a major inspiration in his career and that he hopes to meet him.

I haven’t met Conor yet. I love him. I love his fighting style. My friend Wang Cong is fighting on the same card as him in July, so hopefully I can meet him.

Song Yadong via Full Send MMA

Song Yadong admits he’s a huge Conor McGregor fan and he’s the one UFC fighter that he hasn’t gotten to meet

“I haven’t met Conor yet, I love him, I love his fighting style. My friend Wang Cong is fighting on the same card as him in July so hopefully I can meet him” pic.twitter.com/3i1U5oNg43

— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) May 28, 2026

Song Yadong remains closely connected to fellow Chinese UFC fighter Wang Cong, as both continue to represent China on major UFC cards. Cong is set to compete against Tracy Cortez in the early prelims of the UFC 329 event and may help Yadong’s dreams come true. ‘Kung Fu Monkey’ himself continues to rise in the bantamweight rankings while aiming to stay active at the top level.

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