China News Network client, Beijing, May 10 (Bian Liqun) UFC Shanghai Station three years ago, accompanied by a 19-year-old teenager Song Yadong who played the title song of Journey to the West. The title of "Kung Fu Monkey" comes from this. The constant breakthrough in the octagonal cage has also made this title louder.
At the age of 10, he left home to practice martial arts, and at the age of 14, he practiced comprehensive martial arts. After that, he walked all the way to the UFC field and became the first Chinese male player to enter the top 15 of the UFC official ranking.
Song Yadong took a group photo in front of the UFC stadium. Photo courtesy of interviewees
From Shaolin Wushu to UFC
Since the age of 95, Song Yadong has loved watching action movies since childhood, and Jet Li, who appeared in "Shaolin Temple", became his childhood idol. "I was particularly naughty when I was a kid. At that time, my mother and I proposed to go to martial arts. She happened to have a friend who was doing martial arts-related work. I knew people from the martial arts school. . "
Song Yadong initially studied martial arts at the Shaolin Martial Arts School, and later learned Sanda. At the age of 14, he began to engage in comprehensive martial arts. At that time, he was the youngest in the team, and his early start became one of his advantages.
In 2017, Song Yadong, who was on the UFC stage for the first time, played against Indian player Kandal. At the time, at the age of 19, he used a "guillotine" to surrender his opponent in the first round and won the best bonus of the game.
Song Yadong in training. Photo courtesy of interviewees
Although fighting for UFC has always been Song Yadong's dream and goal, he did not expect everything to come so fast. "I have very strict requirements on myself, and I feel that I have to improve my level to a good state before I play. I did not expect to play well in the first year and have been winning."
There are unexpected surprises on the road to growth, and naturally there are hardships. In March last year, a knee injury made Song Yadong feel desperate for his career.
A knee injury made Song Yadong desperate. Image source: Song Yadong's personal Weibo
"At that time, I saw the whole calf sag directly, and I could move up and down a lot. I felt that my knees were abolished and my future was ruined. In those days, it was still the Spring Festival in China. I can't go anywhere on the bed in a foreign land, I can't take off my pants, so desperate! "
"Before that, I just wanted to get results. I felt that I would not retire without playing, so I always gritted my teeth. After training, I have to cook and wash my own clothes. I have to train in the afternoon, and then I have to wash and wash my clothes every day. The time is particularly tight. I do n’t have time to relax and massage. I have been practicing and it hurts the body a lot. After the injury, I feel that I need to readjust and normalize the training. I ca n’t practice hard. ”Song Yadong said.
After coming out of the shadow of injury, Song Yadong experienced the joy of victory at Las Vegas in July last year, and also experienced the regret that he had an advantage in the Washington game at the end of December last year but had a draw with his opponent. However, although he failed to achieve his goal of rushing into the top 10 of the year, the 13th place ranking is also a small goal for Song Yadong.
Song Yadong in life. Photo courtesy of interviewees
Prepare for the epidemic: race against time
Affected by the epidemic, the UFC game was interrupted once, and Song Yadong was also in home protection. Apart from going out to maintain the state of running every day, he did not conduct much training.
On April 25th, UFC officially announced that it would officially restart on May 10th, and Song Yadong also received the task of the game. He admitted frankly: "I didn't really want to play when I received the notice, because I didn't prepare for a long time, I stayed at home every day, and I was a bit worried when I went out during the outbreak." Participate.
During the epidemic, Song Yadong paid great attention to personal protection. Photo courtesy of interviewees
Under the epidemic situation, whether it is preparing for a game or a game, it is not the same as in the past, which also poses no small challenge to Song Yadong. From the signing to the game, the preparation time for him is only 2 weeks. "I haven't encountered this situation before, and it feels a little messy. The impact of the epidemic is still quite large and quite stressful."
"The preparation time for this game is relatively tight. You need to quickly adjust and restore your physical fitness. You need to hurry into the combat state and adjust your body to a good state in a short time. In the past, when you prepared for the battle, you would train every day and gradually strengthen Degree, but in the current situation, it is more difficult to prepare for the main battle, which is more difficult. "Song Yadong said.
During the preparations, Song Yadong also paid special attention to his protection: "Wear masks when going out, and practice with a few fixed coaches during training, and have also been tested, which is safer. When we go to the game, we also fly Wear masks, protective clothing and goggles. "
Song Yadong in preparation. Photo courtesy of interviewees
Don't care about the episode before the game
Song Yadong's opponent in this game is Malone Vera. Previously, his opponent won five straight games at UFC and maintained a good momentum. In the rankings, the two are also very close, and 14th-ranked Marlon Villa is only one position behind Song Yadong.
Due to tight preparation time, this game was temporarily upgraded from featherweight to featherweight. "The time is too short, it is difficult to play 135 (weight), and the weight cannot be reduced in a short time. And too much weight loss during the epidemic will also cause great harm to the body and not good for resistance, so it is not very If you want to lose weight, your opponent thinks the same. "
Song Yadong is in training. Photo courtesy of interviewees
It is worth mentioning that Marlon Vera previously posted a news on social media, saying that Song Runner-up has retired, with some insulting expressions, with a full of provocation.
In this regard, Song Yadong said that he did not care. He said: "There were some small problems that have not been solved before. My agent will communicate with UFC, and then UFC will communicate with his agent again. There may be a mistake in the information transmission. The next day , He sent a message saying his account was stolen and someone else posted it randomly. I do n’t know if what he said is true or not, I do n’t care about these things, I just hope that the game will run smoothly, I do n’t want to talk to him Tangle these useless. "
In addition to the episode before the game, because the opponent had defeated two Chinese players before, this game was also given the meaning of "vengeance" by the outside world, which attracted a lot of attention.
However, Song Yadong said that this will not put pressure on himself. "I care about my achievements, I just want to win this game. He is indeed a very strong opponent for me, the challenge is not small, but I still have the confidence to defeat him, my speed and strength are stronger than him, Very confident to win this game. "
Poster before the game. Image source: UFC official Weibo
Take off the gold belt within three years
Two months ago, Zhang Weili, China ’s first UFC world champion, defended his title in Las Vegas, USA. Song Yadong, who was on the scene at the time, was also deeply infected. "Although Zhang Weili is a girl, her quality of will is really very strong, even more tenacious than some male players, and after watching the game, she also brings a lot of motivation." Song Yadong said.
The 17th match will be Song Yadong's first match in 5 months. Although the UFC has rematched, there are still many uncertainties under the epidemic.
Song Yadong is in training. Photo courtesy of interviewees
Speaking of this year's plan, Song Yadong said with frustration: "There is really no planning under the present circumstances, because in the United States, the epidemic situation is not very clear, and the following games may not be able to be held. If there are matches, in the state If you can, you can hit it. Now planning is meaningless. Some things cannot be controlled. "
Although this year's situation is a bit chaotic, it cannot shake Song Yadong's dream. He said that it would take another three years to hit the dream of the gold belt. "There are still a lot of immature technologies. I have been very demanding of myself since I was a child. I do n’t think it ’s better to win the championship. I have to keep defending. Now I ’m mainly accumulating experience. I hope to realize the golden belt within three years. Goal. "(End)