The Latest: Chinese prospect Song gets big KO at UFC 239

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on UFC 239 (all times local):

5:15 p.m.

Chinese prospect Song Yadong knocked out Mexico’s Alejandro Pérez with a single right hand in the first round of their bout at UFC 239.

The 21-year-old Song (14-3) was impressive in his North American pro debut. The bantamweight caught Pérez looking to throw a kick and swiftly landed a right to Pérez’s head, putting him out on his feet.

Song is 4-0 in the UFC, and the promotion is eager to make him a star in its efforts to gain a larger promotional foothold in Asia.

Song trains at the Northern California gym of longtime UFC title contender Urijah Faber.

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4:55 p.m.

The UFC’s biggest show of the summer is underway at T-Mobile Arena.

Jon Jones will defend his light heavyweight title against Brazil’s Thiago Santos in the main event of UFC 239 immediately after Brazilian two-belt champion Amanda Nunes defends her bantamweight title against ex-champion Holly Holm.

Jones and Nunes are widely considered the top two pound-for-pound fighters in mixed martial arts, and both are favored to retain their belts against lively challengers.

The card also includes a lively welterweight showdown between unbeaten Ben Askren and veteran Jorge Masvidal.

Unbeaten prospect Edmen Shahabazyan got the most impressive victory in the early preliminary bouts. The 21-year-old from Glendale, California, obliterated Welsh veteran Jack Marshman in just 72 seconds, finishing with a rear naked choke.

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