Henry Cejudo faced off against Song Yadong on February 22, 2025, at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle for the eagerly anticipated main event of UFC Seattle. Unfortunately for the former two-division champion, the fight concluded under controversy, resulting in Cejudo suffering his third consecutive defeat, this time via technical decision.
The atmosphere was electric as fans filled the arena, eager to witness the return of Cejudo, who had previously retired from the sport at the height of his powers back in 2020. Cejudo, now 38, was aiming to jumpstart his career after two prior losses since returning to the octagon earlier this year. Song Yadong, 27, viewed the fight as his chance to solidify his reputation and inch closer to title contention.
From the outset, Cejudo was aggressive, employing pressure tactics to assert dominance over Yadong. He embraced the spotlight, dropping his former coach Eric Albarracin for this bout, and sought fresh strategies under new guidance. Cejudo's success was apparent when he landed early strikes, including a significant leg kick, which seemed to trouble Yadong. Yet, Yadong, known for his explosiveness, remained poised, countering effectively.
Throughout the bout, both fighters exchanged powerful blows. Despite Cejudo's Olympic wrestling credentials, takedown attempts were scarce, as he opted to engage primarily on his feet—a tactical choice evident as he traded punches with Yadong. The second round witnessed Yadong showcasing his speed and technique, at times edging out Cejudo with his accuracy and power.
One of the fight's significant moments occurred when Cejudo received two temporary stoppages due to groin strikes and eye pokes. During the second stoppage, Cejudo expressed his frustration, insisting he needed all five minutes to recover and implored the referee to take action against Yadong for the infractions.
It was during the third round, after another eye poke from Yadong, when Cejudo declared to his corner, "I can't fucking see man. I can't see what he's throwing at me. He's fucking blurry, man. It's my left, dude." This admission forced the referee, Jason Herzog, to call the fight to the scorecards, ending the bout prematurely.
When the judges’ scores were revealed, Yadong was declared the winner with unanimous scores of 29-28 across the board—a significant victory for the rising star whose professional record moved to 22-8-1. After the match, Yadong called for an immediate rematch, creating buzz about the potential for another clash, especially considering Cejudo’s 0-3 record since his return.
UFC Seattle was marked not just by the main event but by thrilling action across the card. Eight bouts ended with stoppages, including two first-round submissions and five knockouts on the preliminary card. Hometown favorite Ricky Simon delivered one of the night's most memorable moments with his stunning knockout of Javid Basharat.
While the co-main event between Brendan Allen and Anthony Hernandez went the distance, it was the excitement of the preliminary card, including Yadong's fight with Cejudo, which kept the fans on the edge of their seats.
The night was memorable not only for the performances within the octagon but also for the interaction on social media as fans and fighters reacted to the action. For example, Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling weighed in on potential title matchups, showing the fight will have industry-wide repercussions.
Both Cejudo and Yadong expressed respect for one another after the bout, but the urgency of another encounter heightened the stakes even more. Until then, Yadong stands firm as one of the top contenders, and Cejudo is left reflecting on his future plans after yet another defeat.
This captivating event showcases the ups and downs of UFC competition, particularly illustrating how quickly fortunes can change and how quickly fighters can rise or fall within the ranks.