Seattle Fights is back to bring you fight reports for all of tonight’s main card fights for UFC on ESPN 8. Up first is a featherweight bout between Song Yadong and Marlon “Chito” Vera. 

The highly touted 22-year old Song trains out of Team Alpha Male in Sacramento and is on an eight fight unbeaten streak, with a draw in his last bout against Cody Stamann. The 27-year old Ecuadorian Vera enters on a five fight win streak. Both fighters normally compete at Bantamweight. 

Round 1

Vera starts the bout with two outside leg kicks. Song then scores one of his own. Songs unleashes a combo into Chito’s standing guard. Chito scores with a heavy outside low kick. Yadong catches a kick and the fighters go to the clinch but it breaks shortly. Nice body punch lands by Yadong followed by a useful combination. The fight goes to the clinch along the cage with 45 seconds left in the round. Chito lands a hard left elbow along the fence. Close round. 

Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Chito (hard round to judge but nod given to Chito for his work controlling the clinch late in the round)

Round 2

Nice right hand straight early by Yadong. Good combo by Yadong that finishes with a nice dig to the body. Vera does nice work in the clinch for a very short spell before the fighters break. A nice body shot by Song followed by a hard shot to Chito’s head. Hard left hook from Yadong. Good left jab by Song stops an advancing Vera. Back to the clinch along the fence Vera initially controls the action before a furious flurry from both fighters who each appear to land punches and elbows. Great heavy shot to Song’s body by Vera. Great round with lots of action. 

Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Song

Round 3

Vera races across the octagon and lands a nice knee to the body to start the round. Vera scores a quick takedown and enters Song’s guard. Standing up Vera continues to control Song and land a few shots. The fight is back to the feet as Song escapes. Song scores on a hard counter left hook. Another nice hard combo lands for Song. Song finding a nice groove. Vera scores with a big 1-2 and later a good right hand to the head. From the clinch Vera lands a trip takedown with one minute left but Song is quickly back to the feet. Vera again in top position toward the end of the round and lands some nice shots. Another close round with great action. Very close fight that could go either way. 

Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Vera. 

Official decision – Unanimous decision for Song Yadong (all three judges 29-28)