Song Yadong vs. Marlon Vera targeted for UFC event on May 16th.

Mandatory Credit: UFC & Reinhold Matay - USA TODAY Sports

A mouth-watering bantamweight battle between top fifteen contenders, Song 'The Kung Fu Monkey' Yadong, and Marlon 'Chito' Vera is expected to feature at a UFC Fight Night event on May 16th. at the VyStar Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

China prospect, Yadong, last featured against fellow rising-talent, Cody Stamann at UFC Fight Night D.C. in December, in a closely contested, majority draw judging. Surging contender, Vera will make his Octagon return following his failed pairing with Ray Borg at UFC 249 on its initial date of April 18th. in Lemoore, California. Vera was also removed from his meeting with former interim bantamweight title challenger, Eddie Wineland for UFC Fight Night Columbus in March - following the ultimate cancellation of that event, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. News of the expected meeting was first reported by MMA Fighting reporters, Mike Heck and Damon Martin.

22-year-old knockout artist, Yadong, maintained his undefeated Octagon record via his tie with Stamann in his last outing. The Team Alpha MMA prospect joined the promotion back in November of 2017. Yadong has finished all but one of his four victories, with either strikes or submission. Alejandro Peréz, Vince Morales, Felipe Arantes, and Bharat Khandare have all fallen victim to Yadong on his way to the #13 rank at 135-pounds.

As well as shelved pairings with the likes of Borg, and Wineland, Vera was left opponent-less when Tiger Schulmann trainee, Jimmie Rivera was forced from their UFC 247 meeting in February, due to injury. Thus, Vera will make his first Octagon walk since his third-round knockout of Andre Ewell at UFC Fight Night Tampa in October of last year. The Ecuadorian extended his win streak to four with the triumph - with prior wins coming against Nohelin Hernandez, Frankie Saenz, Guido Cannetti, and Wuliji Buren. The 27-year-old joined the promotion's ranks back in November of 2014 and picked up notable wins over Brad Pickett, and Brian Kelleher before a decision loss to John Lineker.

The UFC Fight Night event is expected to take place on May 16th. from the VyStar Arena in Jacksonville, Florida - with a heavyweight rebooking between decorated kickboxer, Alistair Overeem and heavy-hitting finisher, Walt Harris taking main event status. In a featherweight matchup, former 155-pound contender, Edson Barboza will make his division debut, as he tackles surging prospect, Dan 'Dynamite' Ige.

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