Song Yadong was perhaps lucky to emerge with a majority draw tonight at UFC On ESPN 7 after being deducted a point in the opening round for an illegal knee against Cody Stamann, who put on a good showing in the rounds that followed, but didn’t get the win he thought he deserved.
Round One:
Both fighters taking their time in the opening minute and then Yadong finally lands a leg kick.
Now a flurry of punches down the pipe from Yadong. Left hand gets through for Stamann. Spinning wheel kick from Yadong appears to glance his opponents head.
Yadong looking to throw punches, but Stamann ducks under and lands a takedown. Yadong immediately trying to work his way back up against the cage and then as he’s doing so manages to sink in a guillotine choke attempt.
Half the round remaining, but then Yadong lands an illegal knee while Stamann’s own knees are still on the canvas and that forces an immediate stoppage from the referee. Yadong is puzzled for a moment and is puzzled, but then realizes and is frustrated with himself.
Luckily Stamann says he’s ok to continue, but Yadong gets a point deducted.
Yadong throwing punches with more urgency now knowing he’s already a point down in the fight. leg kick for him.
Body kick for Stamann. He tries for a takedown, but Yadong sprawls quickly. Jab for Yadong. Yadong misses on punches and Stamann tries for a takedown, but it’s well defended for now. However, he stays on it and does manage to get Yadong on his back as the round ends.
Round Two:
Overhand lands for Yadong. Another exchange in close. Yadong nicely sprawls on a Stamann takedown. Back up they go with Stamann landing a left as he does so.
Left hook for Stamann on the back foot. Leg kick for Yadong. Punch for Stamann. Punches for Yadong. He overloads on a couple more, but still manages to recover his balance in time to sprawl out of a takedown attempt.
Yadong pressing Stamann to the cage and lands a big elbow, but then they move away and Stamann is able to land a nice takedown.
There’s scrambling action though and Yadong almost takes his back before they get back upright.
Punch and a head kick attempt from Stamann. Glancing right for Yadong. Two punches for Yadong and a counter in return from Stamann.
Kick attempt from Yadong allows Stamann to catch it and then work for a takedown, which he lands in the center of the Octagon.
Half guard for Stamann with 60 seconds to go. Yadong manages to sweep on top with 30 seconds to go now. he lands an elbow. Stamann laughs.
Yadong trying to improve position. Final seconds of the round with Stamann landing short punches from bottom position as Yadong loads up on just a couple of big punches of his own.
Round Three:
Leg kicks for Yadong. Another kick attempt is foiled by a punch on the counter from Stamann.
Leg kick again from Yadong and immediately Stamann works for the takedown and lands it. Yadong scrambles to his knees and then tries for a leg lock.
Yadong trying to reverse, but despite an awkward position Stamann is remaining on top. Again Yadong scrambles to his knees. Stamann tries to take his back, but Yadong prevents that by rolling to his back.
Stamann in half guard and in a good position here in the middle of the Octagon with only 90 seconds to go. A few punches to the body from him as he postures up.
Stamann almost moves into side control, but then settles for remaining in half guard. Now he’s looking to mount and does so. He takes Yadong’s back in the final minute.
Back into full mount and raining down punches. Yadong rolling to escape the onslaught but can’t get away from Stamann who continues to land ground and pound as the fight comes to an end.
Decision:
Considering the fact that Yadong was deducted a point, together with a solid performance from his opponent, it seemed like this fight was swinging in Stamann’s favor, but the judges don’t quite see it that way as the verdict is a majority draw due to only one giving the fight ot Stamann (29-27, 28-28 x2).
