UFC Fight Night 223: Song vs. Simon odds, picks and predictions

In a bantamweight bout in the main event, Song Yadong and Ricky Simon meet at UFC Fight Night 223 — also known as UFC Vegas 72 — at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC Fight Night 223: Yadong vs. Simon odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims are on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 4:30 p.m. ET, while the main card can be viewed on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET.

Song heads into this main event fight looking to bounce back after suffering a TKO – Doctor’s Stoppage last time out against Cory Sandhagen in the main event Sept. 2022. That setback snapped a 3-bout win streak, including a pair of KO/TKO wins over Marlon Moraes and Julio Arce.

Simon takes the walk with a 5-bout win streak in tow. He tapped out Jack Shore last time out in mid-July and has 3 stoppages in his last 4 bouts. The American is is 8-2 since arriving at UFC level with 4 wins by decision, a win by KO/TKO against Raphael Assuncao in Dec. 2021, and 3 submission victories.

Simon holds a 2-inch reach advantage, while Song has a 4.55-to-3.04 significant strikes landed per minute advantage. Simon is a little more accurate with his strikes at 51.79%, however, and he is by far the better fighter in terms of takedown average at 6.55 to just 0.63 for Song.

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UFC Fight Night 223: Song vs. Simon odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10 a.m. ET.

UFC Fight Night 223: Song vs. Simon picks and predictions

Records: Song (19-7-1) | Simon (20-3-0)

SIMON (-125) is a solid play on the 2-way line as a slight favorite, as he is by far the best wrestler in this match. He’ll be looking to get Song to the mat early and often.

Simon enters as the hotter fighter, having posted 5 consecutive victories, including a submission of Shore last time out, and a 2nd-round KO/TKO of Assuncao prior to that.

Song is one of the top prospects in the bantamweight division despite a loss last time out. However, Simon is better on the canvas, and more accurate in the punching department.

Playing OVER 3.5 ROUNDS (-125) is worth playing in this main event.

Simon has gone the distance in 3 of his past 6 outings, while Song has had stoppages in just 4 of the past 7. His last fight against Sandhagen was likely headed for the judge’s cards before the injury stoppage after 4 rounds, too.

In addition to the Over 3.5 Rounds, going with YES (+120): FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE is also worth a roll of the dice. And if you go that route, SIMON BY DECISION (+200) for method of victory on the 5-way line is worth playing for a chance to double up.