UFC Fight Night 252 concluded with quite the spectacle, as rising star Yadong Song faced off against two-time champion Henry Cejudo, marking another pivotal chapter for both fighters.
The highly anticipated fight, held on February 23, 2025, at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena, showcased the skill sets of each combatant. Cejudo, known for his Olympic wrestling pedigree and former titles across two weight classes, entered the octagon with the hopes of reclaiming his dominance following previous setbacks. On the opposite end was Song, the eighth-ranked bantamweight, eager to make his mark against the decorated veteran.
From the get-go, Song demonstrated tenacity, effectively defending against Cejudo's attempts to take the fight to the ground. The pace was brisk, with both athletes exchanging strikes. While Cejudo's wrestling was anticipated to be the decisive factor, Song's footwork and precision allowed him to maintain the upper hand, albeit slightly, throughout the match.
The dramatic turn of events occurred just moments before the end of the third round. During one exchange, Song inadvertently poked Cejudo's left eye. The fight was paused as Cejudo struggled to recover from the injury, and after the end of the round, he revealed, "I can’t see out of my left eye." Medical officials assessed the situation, and due to the eye injury, the fight could not continue.
Referee intervened as Cejudo's condition was evaluated. Doctors determined it was unsafe for him to proceed. Given the nature of the infraction and the fact it occurred after more than half the bout had elapsed, the judges' scorecards were consulted. At the time of the stoppage, all three judges had Song leading the fight with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27.
This technical decision handed victory to Yadong Song, marking his 22nd professional win. Following the event, Song expressed his frustration, stating, "I’m not happy with how it ended and would like to have a rematch with Cejudo." For Cejudo, the bout lamentably marked his third consecutive loss, plunging his career record as he struggles to find his footing upon his return to the octagon.
The evening of fights also boasted other notable matchups, but it was the Cejudo versus Song main event which captivated fans the most. This incident evokes questions around the effectiveness of officiation and medical protocols within high-stakes combat sports.
Fans are left to wonder what’s next for both fighters. For Cejudo, will this loss push him to rethink his strategies and readiness to face younger and rising talent like Song? Meanwhile, Song's burgeoning reputation could lead to more significant bouts within the UFC rankings.
Both fighters are at pivotal crossroads—Cejudo must find answers to return to his championship form, and Song will seek to leverage this victory, possibly earning him opportunities at title contention—if not against Cejudo for the anticipated rematch.