When you think of UFC bantamweight Song Yadong, the first thing that probably comes to mind is his explosive fighting style and undeniable rise in the sport. But outside the cage, there’s another question fans are asking, how does he communicate with the world?

After all, when you’re a knockout artist from Harbin, China, fighting in a sport dominated by English-speaking personalities. You’d expect some pretty smooth language skills, right? Well, not quite yet, but he’s working on it.

Does Song Yadong Speak English?

Alright, let’s cut to the chase, does ‘Kung fu kid’ speak English? The answer, kind of. While he’s not exactly ready to take over the commentary booth at UFC events, his efforts are definitely noticeable. After his dominant victory over Ricky Simon at UFC Vegas 72, the #8 contender, instead of playing it safe and passing the mic off to a translator, decided to take the reins himself. The man actually closed his post-fight interview in English. A little rocky? Sure. But guess what? The message was loud and clear, he’s here to be heard, no translation required.

Let’s give him some credit. His English may not be perfect, but the guy’s putting in the work. And for someone who’s been in the UFC spotlight for a few years now, he’s clearly making strides in his communication game. We’ve even seen him engage in some lively interviews, like the one with Homeoffight, where he confidently chatted about who’s the P4P best boxer. Sure, he voted for Conor McGregor, but when the featherweight champ Ilia Topuria came up in the equation, the Chinese fighter humbly agreed that Ilia’s better than him. Talk about a humble knockout artist.

But, let’s be real, though. Who doesn’t love a fighter who’s a little cocky, a little charming, and doesn’t shy away from stepping up to the mic? The fact that he’s even willing to take on English, no matter how messy, shows he’s got more than just fighting skills up his sleeve. Give him a year, and we might just see a Song Yadong who’s fluent in trash talk and interviews, stirring up conversations week after week. Now, let’s take a step back and dig into who Song Yadong really is.

Song Yadong’s Primary Language and Background

Born in Harbin, China, Yadong’s journey hasn’t been exactly a walk in the park. Raised in a single-parent household, he didn’t have it easy, but he fought his way to UFC fame. No silver spoon involved. The bantamweight contender started his martial arts journey with Sanda at just nine years old. At 13, he transitioned into MMA. And by 16, he was already a professional fighter. Not bad for a guy who was still figuring out how to tie his shoes, right? His early success in China’s MMA scene quickly caught the attention of the UFC, and by 19, he was making his debut on the big stage.

But while he was smashing opponents, the English language wasn’t exactly his knockout punch. Growing up in China, Yadong’s first language was, of course, Mandarin. So when it came to communicating with a global audience, there was a bit of a roadblock. As a result, Yadong often relied on a translator during interviews, especially in the lead-up to major fights like his recent showdown with Petr Yan at UFC 299.

But don’t let the need for translation fool you, Yadong is done with relying on others to speak for him. After that UFC Vegas 72 interview, it was clear, the man wants to own the mic, even if his English isn’t perfect. And honestly? That’s the kind of bold move we like to see. As Yadong heads into his fight against Henry Cejudo, expect his profile to grow. Not just because of his skills inside the cage but because he’s clearly determined to conquer the English language as well. The path to UFC superstardom is about more than just fighting; it’s about building that connection with fans, and Yadong is doing just that. He’s not only looking to climb the ranks in the bantamweight division, but he’s also looking to own his narrative.

Sure, he still has got some work to do in mastering English. But the man’s already taken a big step. And if he keeps at it, don’t be shocked when you see him delivering flawless interviews. Cracking jokes, and maybe even stirring up a little trash talk in perfect English. Despite coming off a tough loss to Petr Yan, Song Yadong’s focus remains crystal clear. He’s determined to sharpen his skills in the octagon and continue improving his English. His fans? They’ll be in for a treat, whether it’s watching him dominate inside the cage or enjoying his slightly awkward (but undeniably charming) interviews.

So, what do you think? Will Song Yadong be the next UFC fighter to conquer both the fight world and the interview circuit? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!