Fight Night Macau: Yadong vs Figueiredo Predictions

Sportz Nation Staff
4 minutes ago
8 min read

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 5/22/2026

In our FN Allen vs Costa Predictions which you can find here,

Zak went 3-3 in picks with 1 method for 4 points.

Matt went 3-3 in picks with 2 methods right for 5 points.

Points To Date:

Zak: 89 (61-38)

Matt: 94 (61-38)

*All odds courtesy of Caesar's Sportsbook on 5/27

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5Song Yadong vs

7Deiveson Figueiredo

(Yadong -600)

Zak Drapeau -

Figueiredo had a run as one of the best flyweights of all time, and that's why his name is still relevant enough to get top-ranked fights. But to be truthful, he should've retired 2 years ago. He will always have tremendous cardio and counter-striking, but he won't have much chance against a fighter the caliber of Song Yadong.

Yadong will be competing in his 17th fight in 9 years at only 29 years old this Saturday, and it's clear to see why he's such a massive favorite. As one of the more violent strikers in the division and still being at his prime age, Yadong should come into this fight and somewhat coast to a victory.

Prediction: Yadong by Decision

Matt Hylen -

This fight is pretty straightforward to me. First off, no disrespect to Deiveson Figueiredo, but him getting a main event in 2026 is a bit questionable to me. That being said, if the rumors are true and this could be his final fight, then I absolutely understand why.

Regardless, Song Yadong holds the advantage just about everywhere. He is the uch younger fighter, his power and overall striking are incomparable to Figueiredo at this stage of his career, with his grappling being just as good if not better than Figueiredo's. I think Yadong gets right back on track after his loss to Sean O'Malley, dominates this fight on the feet, and gets the finish within the five-round limit.

Prediction: Yadong by TKO/KO

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15Alonzo Menifield vs

Zhang Mingyang

(Mingyang -260)

Zak Drapeau -

A huge fight for the back end of the Light Heavyweights, this should be the coming-out party for Zhang Mingyang. The Chinese fighter was mowing his way through the UFC before Johnny Walker expertly finished Mingyang with leg kicks. Almost a year later, Mingyang is ready to take another stab at getting a number.

Even at 38, Alonzo Menifield is absolutely no slouch. In the last 3.5 years, Menifield's only losses are to Ulberg, Murzakanov, and Oezdemir while beating 4 other fighters the UFC tried to replace him in the rankings with, similar to Mingyang.

In what should be a kickboxing fight through and through, I think Mingyang has more pop to his strikes and is much more equipped to attack Menifield's legs, especially after the lesson he learned from Walker.

Prediction: Mingyang by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

This is another fight that will likely not see the final horn. Similar to the main event, the co-main should also be pretty straightforward.

At this point, we kind of know what to expect out of Alonzo Menifield. He is too good to be fighting opponents well outside the rankings but will likely lose to any opponent that is ranked. Sure, Zhang Mingyang falls in the middle of that spectrum, but everything Menifield does, Mingyang will likely be better at.

I really like Mingyang to get back on track at home this weekend. The crowd is on his side, which should help, while his skills should have improved since the last time he fought. I think he chins Menifield early and doesn't look back.

Prediciton: Mingyang by TKO/KO

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3Sergei Pavlovich vs

15Tallison Teixeira

(Pavlovich -600)

Zak Drapeau -

This matchup still makes no sense to me other than adding an exciting heavyweight bout to the card. Tallison Teixeira is good, no doubt, and has a "prospect" type feel to him but has only beaten Tai Tuivasa and Junior Tafa on his road to a now top-5 matchup. Meanwhile, Pavlovich has a proven track record as one of the division's premier knockout artists and has a 2-fight win streak over top-10 opponents in the last year.

The odds say it all, and while anything can happen and Teixeira is a gigantic man with true knockout power, Pavlovich's power, experience, and recent showings of his ability to outbox his opponents should be too much for Teixeira.

Just remember, all it would take is one shot from Teixeira to end it.

Prediction: Pavlovich by TKO

Matt Hylen -

Similar to what Zak said, I am not sure how Tallison Teixeira is getting an opportunity like this after almost losing to Tai Tuivasa and looking the worst he has ever looked in that fight, but here we are.

With that said, when Teixeira is on, he is extremely dangerous. He holds a height advantage against basically everyone in the division apart from Alexander Volkov, but possesses a sort of one-punch power that is above what we normally see out of heavyweights. If he can manage his cardio and stamina, he can make this interesting.

Teixeira has never fought an opponent as skilled and experienced as Sergei Pavlovich. Pavlovich is one of the heaviest hitters and quickest movers in the entire division; he will pressure you all fight long, not rush his shots, and knock you out in one counter move. He has had problems with his chin as of late, but his experience and ability to wear out his opponents should allow him to dominate Teixeira in this one.

Prediction: Pavlovich by Decision

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Kai Asakura vs

Cameron Smotherman

(Asakura -300)

Zak Drapeau -

Asakura is the heavy favorite in this one, and it shows by the odds jumping from Asakura -210 to -300 in just a week. Once touted as the Flyweight division's "future star" after getting a title shot in his promotional debut, Asakura has underwhelmed with 2 submission losses in his only 2 UFC fights; granted, they were to Pantoja and Elliot, respectively. Asakura will be fighting at Bantamweight for the first time in his career this weekend, in a weight class that should benefit him.

Cam Smotherman has also underwhelmed in his 3 UFC fights, winning his first but then losing two to Sidey and Simon. Luckily for Smotherman, his Achilles' heel may be his bottom game, and after back-to-back submission losses, it's likely Asakura wants to keep the fight standing too.

I think Asakura's game will be much more fluid when fighting someone who isn't constantly pressuring takedowns and grappling, and this will ultimately lead to a decision win. I will call a split decision win now because the same can be said for Smotherman, and I actually believe this fight is A LOT closer than the odds suggest.

Prediction: Asakura by Decision

Matt Hylen -

Talk about a fall from grace for Kai Asakura. From fighting for the belt in his debut to an opponent well outside the rankings, Asakura's spot on the roster may be on the line this weekend.

I still believe Asakura has something to give inside the octagon. He has not been able to show it much, but Asakura has dominated opponents in the past when he gets his opponent to the ground. Sure, his bottom game is not great, to put it nicely, but this is the lowest level opponent Asakura has faced in years. I would like to see Asakura showcase that KO power, but feel like he will be best suited if he is able to take Smotherman to the ground.

As for Smotherman, his biggest advantage is in the mental game. He may not be stronger than Asakura on the feet or the ground, but he could have a chance if he is stronger mentally than Asakura. With Asakura on this massive unexpected losing streak, part of him has to be dejected and hesitant, which Smotherman absolutely should be trying to capitalize on.

Overall, this should be a layup for Asakura, with the intrigue coming from whether or not he is mentally focused enough to get the job done.

Prediction: Asakura by Decision

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11Alex Perez vs

Sumudaerji

(Perez -140)

Zak Drapeau -

A Flyweight banger hidden in this surprisingly deep card in Macau, Alex Perez will have his hands full as he faces the hometown favorite Su Mudaerji. Mudaerji has had an up-and-down career in the UFC, consistently beating unranked fighters but losing to ranked opponents in several streaks of three. Currently on a three-fight win streak, Mudaerji is planning to finally secure that elusive big win.

This fight is a classic matchup of styles, with Perez, the wrestler, facing off against Mudaerji, the kickboxer. Mudaerji will also have a distinct size advantage in this matchup, with about three inches of height and an impressive seven-inch reach advantage. Considering Perez will need to close the distance to secure takedowns and Mudaerji should be able to chop the legs and strike first, I have to go with the hometown boy in this one.

If you're a fan of the series, you'll know this is my weekly underdog pick as well (Sumudaerji by Unanimous Decision is +300).

Prediction: Sumudaerji by Decision

Matt Hylen -

This is a pick 'em fight in my eyes. I really like what both Alex Perez and Sumudaerji bring to the table and could really see this fight going either way.

Starting with Perez, he is a crafty veteran that can knock people out but also get finished himself. His defense is not great, but when he pressures you, it is extremely hard to counter. His resume is much better than Sumudaerji's, with his wins all being against fighters that are arguably better than Sumudaerji as well.

As for Sumudaerji, Perez's inconsistency will be his biggest advantage. We never know what version of Perez we are going to get, so if Sumudaerji can use his range to keep the pressure from Perez off, he has a serious chance of winning this fight.

When it comes down to this fight, I think Perez is going to have a really tough time getting into the pocket against Sumudaerji. Yet, I think one punch or flurry will be all he needs to get the job done.

Prediciton: Perez by TKO/KO

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Loma Lookboonmee vs

Jacqueline Amorim

(Amorim -130)

Zak Drapeau -

For those who don't realize the stakes of this fight, the winner could easily find a number by their name come next week, or at the very least, will get a Top-12 fight next.

Jacqueline Amorim will have a huge size advantage in this one, but that might be all, as this matchup pits two exceptional mixed martial artists against each other. Both ladies have wrestling, muay thai, and kickboxing in their game, so this one could easily go either way.

I think this fight will be in the clinch or on the ground more than it will be standing, so it should come down to who has the better game plan to get inside the other. With Amorim's size advantage, I'm going to choose her, even though this is a pick 'em for me.

Prediction: Amorim by Decision

Matt Hylen -

Another tough matchup that I also think will likely go to the judges' scorecards. Though Jaxqueline Amorim was once viewed as a bit of a prospect in Women's MMA, she looked awful in her last fight, which does not give me much confidence. Loma Lookboonmee is also coming off a loss, but has the experience that I think can carry her far in this fight.

Lookboonmee has also turned more to her grappling in recent fights, creating a sort of balance that could give Amorim trouble. Though Amorim does have the better BJJ, it might not be put to use if Lookboonmee is able to use her striking effectively and get the fight to the ground. If Lookboonmee can be the initiator in this fight, she should have no problem getting a win.

Prediciton: Lookboonmee by Deicision

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