That doesn’t mean it’s been easy – both in the gym and outside of it – but Song is embracing the opportunity to break out of his comfort zone and begin this chapter of his career and life.
“The biggest adjustment I had is that I’m more mature and independent now,” he said. “It’s not like in China because I don’t have lots of friends and family members here. I have to do everything by myself.”
And he’s doing just fine. In his first four UFC bouts, Song is unbeaten, with finishes of Bharat Khandare, Felipe Arantes and Alejandro Perez, as well a decision over Vince Morales. Each of those finishes earned him Performance of the Night bonuses, and while he talks of those extra checks as a happy accident of sorts, it’s clear that when he’s in the Octagon, he’s chasing finishes.
“I didn’t intend to get the bonus every time, it’s just that I tried to use what I learned,” he said. “When it’s good, then the bonus is there.”
So no extra attention to being a risk taker?