UFC Fight Night 252 unfolded on February 23, 2024, at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, bringing together fighters eager for victory and significant career moments. The main event featured former champion Henry Cejudo facing off against Song Yadong. Both fighters entered the octagon with contrasting stakes: Cejudo, at the age of 38, aimed to avoid the first three-fight skid of his career, and Yadong was desperate to deliver a signature victory against a respected name.
Heading to this matchup, there was palpable tension. Cejudo, once the proud holder of UFC titles across two weight classes, had faced recent setbacks. Having lost back-to-back bouts, including one for the title against Demetrious Johnson years ago, every major fight had carried the weight of his legacy. The story of his career showed resilience – after earlier disappointments, he scored remarkable victories, becoming only one of four fighters in UFC history to hold titles at both flyweight and bantamweight simultaneously.
On the other hand, Yadong needed this fight to establish himself against elite opponents. He faced high-caliber fighters previously, including Cory Sandhagen and Petr Yan, without securing the victories he desired. "Yadong needed to finally get over the hump and secure a signature win over a veteran, big-name opponent," reported Cagesidepress, emphasizing the dramatic stakes for him this time.
The co-main event featured Brendan Allen and Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez, adding additional depth to the card. This was not their first time squaring off; they had previously met before their UFC careers. Given Allen's earlier victory over Hernandez at LFA 32, anticipation loomed around whether "Fluffy" would even the score, adding another layer of drama to their rematch.
With the stage set, the night commenced with preliminaries at 6 PM ET, leading to the main card starting at 9 PM ET. Below are the results from the night’s matches:
Main Card Results:
- Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong
- Brendan Allen defeats Anthony Hernandez by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
- Rob Font defeats Jean Matsumoto by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
- Jean Silva defeats Melsik Baghdasaryan by TKO at 4.15 mins of Round 1
- Alonzo Menifield defeats Julius Walker by split decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)
Preliminary Card Highlights:
- Ion Cuțelaba defeats Ibo Aslan by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2.51 mins of Round 1
- Melquizael Costa defeats Andre Fili by submission (guillotine choke) at 4.30 mins of Round 1
- Mansur Abdul-Malik defeats Nick Klein by TKO at 3.24 mins of Round 2
- Ricky Simon defeats Javid Basharat by KO at 3.58 mins of Round 1
- Austin Vanderford defeats Nikolay Veretennikov by TKO at 4.13 mins of Round 2
- Nursulton Ruziboev defeats Eric McConico by TKO at 0.33 mins of Round 2
- Modestas Bukauskas defeats Rafael Cerqueira by KO at 2.12 mins of Round 1
During the event, Cejudo and Yadong both made their respective weights, preparing themselves physically and mentally for the main card's stakes. Cejudo weighed in at 135 lbs., and Yadong was right behind him at 136 lbs. Each fighter understood the significance of the night; they were not just fighting for victory but for relevance and opportunities within the UFC hierarchy.
The outcomes of the fights showcased the unpredictability of mixed martial arts. Cejudo and Yadong's clash was watched closely as fans anticipated its ebb and flow. Meanwhile, Allen's results against Hernandez added to his reputation, proving his mettle as he sought his own ascension through the ranks.
Among the highlights, Ion Cuțelaba secured his first submission victory during his UFC tenure with his win over Ibo ASlan, once considered unexpected. Cuțelaba had previously struggled to register submissions, demonstrating the continuous evolution of fighters through their careers. “A victory via submission for Cuțelaba was unexpected,” noted Cagesidepress, alluding to the odds against this outcome.
Waves of excitement echoed through the arena as results flashed on the screens, with dedicated fans recognizing both triumphs and setbacks across the board. The post-fight atmosphere was electrifying, with anticipation for what the fighters would decide next after their performances.
UFC Fight Night 252 proved to be another thrilling chapter, not just for the victors but for all the fighters involved, as aspirations of championship fights danced within their minds.
Stay tuned for more updates on future events and the lasting impact of this night on the fighters' paths.