A packed UFC schedule in 2023 continues this weekend as the mixed martial arts promotion hosts another event in Las Vegas on Saturday night. This time, two rising bantamweights headline the main card with China’s Yadong Song taking on American Ricky Simon. In what is one of the UFC’s most talent-rich weight classes, expect this to be a close and enthralling encounter at the UFC Apex.
With the winner of this bout likely to move into the top five of the bantamweight division and the loser moving down the congested ranks, there’s a lot on the line in this bout. Yadong Song in particular is looking to avoid his third loss in six fights, which Ricky Simon is seeking to keep a five-fight win streak alive. Who will prevail in this battle of the contenders? Bookmaker William Hill has all the latest odds as we break down the best bets to place on the UFC Fight Night: Simon vs. Song.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: April 27th, 9:30 A.M. (GMT)
When the outright winner odds are virtually identical, it’s a great sign that a fight is going to be tight. That’s exactly what we have here in this headliner with Ricky Simon holding a very slender lead in the betting odds over Yadong Song, 1.80 to 2.00.
Looking at the method of result odds for this clash, the bookies’ inclinations become a little clearer. The most likely result in terms of a payout is Song winning by knockout at 2.87 followed by Simon winning by decision at 3.25. A Simon submission is fairly unlikely but still the third highest odds at 5.00 while a Song decision is paying a long 6.00.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: April 27th, 9:30 A.M. (GMT)
While many analysts are calling this fight 50/50, and indeed the odds from William Hill indicate a similar split, there are a few clues as to who’s going to win this bout. What Simon vs. Song could come down to is Simon’s ability to execute takedowns and Song’s defense of these. Bottom line is, if Song can turn this into a striking match, he should have the upper hand and be able to extract a knockout at some stage with his lethal, accurate power.
The flip side of this is that if Simon can successfully generate takedowns then a fight on the ground is something the American should dominate. Either Simon will find his way to a submission or simply restrict Song’s striking enough to win on points.
How the takedown battle and defense of it goes is hard to call. We give the edge to Simon here simply because he’s coming in on a five-fight win streak full of confidence. Expect the American to use his reach advantage to hold his own in the striking before scoring mid-fight takedowns and gaining a submission. Backing Simon by submission at 5.00 is the best bet here at UFC Fight Night: Simon vs. Song.
