Outlook: The 27-year-old Song Yadong has long been tabbed as a future title contender, and it appears as though “The Kung Fu Kid” is getting closer to living up to that potential. It’s easy to forget just how young he is, considering he entered the promotion one month before his 20th birthday in 2017. That said, he has spent the better part of this half-decade in the division’s top 10 and has won three of his last four bouts. With several main events under his belt, he seems primed for a top 5 challenge of some variety.
Outlook: Outside of the title fights, UFC debutant Patchy Mix garnered as much attention as anyone at UFC 316. Mario Bautista didn’t get the memo, however, and handled business against the new face. Bautista has now won eight fights on the bounce and is deserving of a top 10 matchup.
His MMA Lab teammate Marcus McGhee is rumored to have that exact kind of fight coming up as some believe he is going to fight Petr Yan. McGhee has impressed four fights into his UFC career, picking up three finishes, three bonuses and four wins since joining the promotion in 2023. His latest effort, a decision win over Jonathan Martinez, proved he was top 15 worthy. At 35 years old, McGhee likely doesn’t have time to waste, so he could look to make major moves in the latter half of 2025.
