Sean O’Malley might find Song Yadong has a bit more drive than usual when they meet in the Octagon.
The UFC returns to Las Vegas for UFC 324 this Saturday, ending a break that has felt longer than it actually was. O’Malley is looking to snap out of a rough patch after dropping two consecutive fights to Merab Dvalishvili.
‘Suga’ and Song will feature as co-headliners, stepping in after Kayla Harrison pulled out of her bout with Amanda Nunes. The main event sees Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett competing for interim lightweight gold, rounding off an intriguing card.
The tension between the two bantamweights started before fight week. Last year at another press conference, O’Malley wore a face mask while facing off with the Chinese fighter – something Song later described as “totally racist,” referencing the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact in China.
Song Yadong responds to Sean O’Malley’s apology over UFC 324 faceoff incident
Song was not the only one to criticise O’Malley’s behaviour. After plenty of backlash, ‘Suga’ addressed the situation with an apology during his media day appearance.
“My intentions were never harmful,” the 31-year-old American said. “It’s supposed to be a little silly joke. It was that and it got taken out of (context).
“I apologize if I offended anybody.”
Responding to reporters in Las Vegas, ‘The Kung Fu Kid’ addressed the controversy, stating he understood O’Malley’s regret and attributing the contentious December action to an attempt at mind games.
“I’m OK but I think don’t bring racism in this sport. Just keep it a sport.
“He already regretted it. He got an interview from China, he said he was sorry to fans. He’s trying to get inside of my head like a mind game. But I don’t care, I just focus on the fight.
“I just want to win the fight. Focused,” he stated.
Cory Sandhagen expects Song Yadong to fall short against Sean O’Malley at UFC 324
Song is looking to disrupt O’Malley’s comeback plans in the bantamweight division, but one of his former opponents doesn’t expect that to happen.
Cory Sandhagen and Song met back in 2022 at UFC Vegas 60, where the fight was stopped due to a cut Song suffered.
Speaking ahead of UFC 324 on The Ariel Helwani Show, Sandhagen said he thinks O’Malley will come out on top this time.
“I have O’Malley winning that one,” ‘The Sandman’ began by saying.
“Song’s biggest problem is that he lunges and leaps into his bigger shots. Unless you mess up against Song and get too close, which O’Malley just doesn’t really do, Song has a really hard time reaching people.
“With O’Malley’s build and style, it’s going to be a really, really tough fight for Song. Unless Song wrestles and makes it a little dirty. But he’s kind of not that guy either,” he concluded.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
