- UFC is back inside the APEX Center in Las Vegas this weekend as Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez headline the card in a bantamweight match.
- Song is the betting favorite at -350.
- Gutierrez is the betting underdog at +260.
For the final time this 2023, the UFC will host a fight card inside the APEX Center in Las Vegas, featuring a top-flight bantamweight clash. No. 7-ranked bantamweight contender Song Yadong (20-7-1) is scheduled to meet the No. 15-ranked Chris Gutierrez (19-4-2) in the main event.
Final Fight Night of 2023 is here 👊
Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez headlines #UFCVegas83 Saturday at the APEX! pic.twitter.com/yJboQx79mV
— UFC (@ufc) December 4, 2023
Both are coming off a bounce-back victory, but Song will be the betting favorite in UFC odds at -350 against Gutierrez, the +260 underdog, because of his higher position in the rankings. Additionally, Song has faced better opponents and competitively fought against them in the past compared to Gutierrez.
Song Yadong Recent Fight Results
At only 26 years old, Song has already competed in over 30 MMA fights. Before making his UFC debut, he already racked up an impressive record of 11 wins, five losses, and one draw. Song had a winning debut in the Octagon in November 2017 by submitting Bharat Kandare in the opening round.
Following that dream debut, the Chinese athlete collected eight more wins and suffered two losses and one draw. His most notable wins were against Marlon Vera, Julio Arce, and Marlon Moraes. Song’s most recent victory was over Ricky Simon, whom he stopped in the last round of their bout in April 2023.
Song strikes are BACK at the APEX 👊
Watch @SongYadongLFG vs. Chris Gutierrez in Saturday's #UFCVegas83 main event! pic.twitter.com/HmrFqLF63t
— UFC (@ufc) December 4, 2023
Chris Gutierrez Recent Fight Results
Like Song, Gutierrez had already built an impressive MMA resume before stepping inside the Octagon, piling up 12 wins, three losses, and a draw. His route to the UFC was via the Ultimate Fighter 28, but he lost to Raoni Barcelos via second-round submission.
Despite that defeat, he was still able to secure a contract with the promotion and officially made his debut in March 2019 with a unanimous decision win against Ryan MacDonald. Since then, he picked up seven wins, one loss, and one draw to earn himself a place in the rankings.
El Guapo took care of business 🤯@CGutierrez gets his first main event on Saturday at #UFCVegas83 pic.twitter.com/oGHEAOGL5I
— UFC (@ufc) December 4, 2023
Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez: Tale of the Tape
| Song Yadong | Chris Gutierrez | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 26 | 32 |
| Height | 5’8” | 5’9” |
| Reach | 67 inches | 67 inches |
| Leg Reach | 38 inches | 39 inches |
| Record | 20-7-1 | 19-4-2 |
| Fighting Style | Boxer | Freestyle |
| Finishing Rate | 60% | 56% |
Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez: Fight Analysis
The tale of the tape between Song and Gutierrez is almost identical, as both fighters have 67 inches of reach. Gutierrez has an inch of height and leg reach advantage at 5-foot-9 and 39 inches compared to Song’s 5-foot-8 height and 38 inches.
Among the categories in the tale of the tape, age has the most glaring difference, as Song is six years younger than Gutierez. This spells an upper hand for Song in terms of youth and athleticism.
Stylistically, both are expected to engage in a stand-up battle because of their fighting approach, with Song being a boxer and Gutierrez being a freestyle fighter. Most wins for the two athletes were via TKO/KO – 45% for Song and 50% for Gutierrez.
The significant strike output proved they like to exchange strikes with their opponents, as Song has 4.61 significant strikes landed per minute (42%) and 3.77 significant strikes absorbed per minute (59%). In comparison, Gutierrez has 5.04 significant strikes landed (57%) and 2.73 significant strikes absorbed per minute (65%).
Song has slightly better grappling numbers with a 0.53 takedown average per 15 minutes, 55% takedown accuracy, 72% takedown defense, and 0.21 submission average per 15 minutes compared to Gutierrez’s 0.34 takedown average per 15 minutes, 37% takedown accuracy, 71%takedown defense, and 0.11submission average per 15 minutes.
As mentioned earlier, Song has fought better opponents than Gutierrez, and that experience will give him an edge. He has shown a lot of heart and grit against more formidable opponents, so imagine what he can do to Gutierrez.
This is in no way a disrespect for Gutierrez because he is still a great fighter, but Song’s power and sophisticated striking are a level above him. Although I am leaning towards a victory for Song, I believe this fight has all the makings to be an all-out brawl that will go the distance.
Official Prediction: Unanimous decision victory for Song Yadong.
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