On February 23, 2025, the UFC Fight Night 252 is set to electrify Seattle, featuring the highly anticipated clash between two notable fighters: former two-weight champion Henry Cejudo and the rising contender Song Yadong. This pivotal matchup, taking place at the Climate Pledge Arena, serves as the main event of the evening, promising to captivate mixed martial arts fans across the globe.
Henry Cejudo, known for his eclectic personality and sharp fighting skills, is making his return to the octagon after nearly a year’s layoff, since his last bout against Merab Dvalishvili resulted in a unanimous decision loss. At the official weigh-in, Cejudo, who carries the moniker "Triple C," made headlines not only for his fighting credentials but also for his attention-grabbing antics. He brought out a giant fortune cookie, cracking it open to reveal his prediction for the fight: 'Song’s luck is running out, technical knockout in the fourth round.' Cejudo exclaimed his confidence, noting, "This is one hundred percent my last run. Regardless, his luck ran out, and he’ll be bowing down this weekend!"
On the flip side, the Chinese fighter, Song Yadong, has expressed his own determination. Showing less theatricality but equal tenacity, he has emphasized his ambitions to send Cejudo packing for good. "Henry is a great fighter, he’s a legend, but I’ll make sure he retires tonight. Don’t miss it!" Yadong has similarly been out of action for some time, with his previous fight against Petr Yan ending with Yadong suffering a unanimous decision defeat.
Besides this headline matchup, UFC Fight Night 252 includes several other exciting bouts. Notably, the co-main event features American fighters Brendan Allen and Anthony Hernandez squaring off. Allen, with 24 professional wins, will aim to solidify his standing against Hernandez, who has garnered acclaim for his grappling prowess.
Fans of the sport can follow the fights live; the main card kicks off at 4:00 PM local time with the headlining fight expected around 8:20 PM. Sports analysts have noted Cejudo’s return as being pivotal, particularly as he battles against the youth and agility of Yadong, setting the stage for what could be one of 2025's most memorable fights.
Henry Cejudo might just be stepping back as one of the sport’s greats, but the narrative is more compelling: the potential for Yadong to pull off the upset is real. With Vegas odds favoring Yadong, this could be the twilight of Cejudo’s illustrious career or the resurgence he claims to seek. Fans eagerly await what the Fight Night will deliver.
Overall, the excitement is palpable as the UFC Fight Night 252 is right around the corner, and all eyes will be on the main event, where legacies and futures will be on the line.