Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong prediction, pick: Will ex-champ go down again at UFC Seattle?

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at the UFC Fight Night 252 main event between former flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong.

Henry Cejudo UFC Fight Night 252 preview

Staple info:

• Record: 16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC
• Height: 5’4″ Age: 38 Weight: 135 lbs. Reach: 64″
• Last fight: Decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili (Feb. 17, 2024)
• Camp: Fight Ready MMA (Arizona)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:
+ UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion
+ Olympic wrestling gold medalist (U.S.)
+ Bronze Gloves boxing champion
+ 8 KO victories
+ 5 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Improved overall striking
^ Coming forward or off of the counter
+ Hard kicks and knees
^ Targets the body well
+ Strong inside the clinch
^ Solid grips/hand-fighting
+ Excellent wrestling ability

Song Yadong UFC Fight Night 252 preview

Staple info:

• 21-8-1 MMA, 10-3-1 UFC
• Height: 5’8″ Age: 27 Weight: 135 lbs. Reach: 67″
• Last fight: Decision loss to Petr Yan (March 9, 2024)
• Camp: Team Alpha Male (California)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:
+ Chinese kung fu background
+ Regional grappling accolades
+ 9 KO victories
+ 3 submission victories
+ 7 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Explosive athlete
^ Deceptive distance closer
+ Dangerous right hand
^ Coming forward or off the counter
+ Solid wrestling ability
^ Defensively and offensively
+ Improved transitional grappler

Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong point of interest: Speed kills

The main event in Seattle features a fight between two bantamweights who are familiar with fast fisticuffs.

An Olympic gold medalist wrestler with some boxing experience, Henry Cejudo initially came onto the scene implementing somewhat of a stick-and-move curriculum. Seldom throwing himself out of position, Cejudo packs cross-hook combinations that are often punctuated with hard kicks to the body.

Back when Cejudo fought Joseph Benavidez, the former freestyle wrestler displayed an upgraded muay Thai arsenal from his time spent at CSA in Northern California. And in his fight with Wilson Reis in 2017, Cejudo took things to yet another level, coming out in a sharp karate stance that he picked up while working down in Brazil with the Pitbull brothers (Bellator’s Patricio and Patricky Freire).

Since then, Cejudo has steadily melded all of his skills together under the care of his home gym, Fight Ready MMA.

Showing off an improved sense of range, Cejudo appears more capable of timing and countering his opponents precisely with palpable speed and power. Cejudo has even borrowed from fellow Olympians like Daniel Cormier in regards to how “Triple C” invites his opponents into extended hand-trapping situations, which, in turn, allows him to deceptively close the distance by exchanging on his terms.

That said, Cejudo will need to be mindful of counters himself, particularly when throwing kicks.

Enter Song Yadong.

Starting his martial arts journey at the legendary Shaolin temple, Song makes for a unique fighter given the historical spectrum of combat arts that he’s been exposed to. Still, there isn’t too much traditional swagger in Song’s style to speak of given that the Chinese fighter seems to favor more boxing and kickboxing-centric weapons.

Whether Song is staying planted or opting for more fencing-like footwork, the 27-year-old does a decent job of staying on balance and looking for his spots to explode. Yadong has excellent eyes in exchanges that – coupled with his incredible speed – make him a formidable puncher both coming forward and off the counter.

 

Song Yadong with the reminder that in open stance match-ups, just like outside foot position lines up your rear hand, it shortens the path of the opponent’s lead hook. pic.twitter.com/1jvsX9qsxY

— Feño (@fenoxsky) February 18, 2025

Despite being known for his devastating right hand, Song has quietly sharpened his lead hand with his use of jabs and hooks. Song is also an excellent kicker himself, but I’m not sure how much he’ll lean on those weapons given the looming takedown threats of Cejudo.

Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong breakdown: Winning the wrestling

Given where the biggest skill disparity is on paper, winning the wrestling exchanges should be paramount for both fighters this Saturday.

Despite his penchant for striking off of single-leg snatches, Cejudo has quietly leaned more on his wrestling in the latter parts of his career.

From a grappling perspective, Cejudo has traditionally done well at stifling his opponents in the clinch with fundamental hand-fighting and controls (outside of his first fight with Demetrious Johnson, of course). And when Cejudo is able to establish any combination of over or underhooks, the 38-year-old is quick to use those opportunities to hit inside trips or other forms of takedowns that chain off the motion he creates.

Cejudo is not beyond changing his level in the open to score, but he does seem to favor chaining his way toward the clinch to get his takedowns. Nevertheless, Cejudo will likely need to lean on his timing if he means to safely get to the hips of Song.

 

Song Yadong often squares his stance with his rear punches, but he has heavy hips, catlike reflexes and very good scrambling instincts.
Cejudo is likely to put all of it to test on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/8YRc6bagHB

— Feño (@fenoxsky) February 18, 2025

Song, who has been training stateside with Team Alpha Male, has done a much better job in grappling scenarios. Whether he’s shutting down takedowns with his wicked-fast sprawl or changing his level for a takedown of his own, Song’s ability to wrestle only seems to get better and better.

When working from topside, Song possesses excellent instincts that range from powerful ground-and-pound to his ability to quickly take a back. And when Song is forced to grapple from negative positions, the Chinese fighter demonstrates improved getup options.

However, whether Song is re-wrestling and swimming for singles or is scrambling to stand, the 12-year pro will often transition to and from Team Alpha Male’s favored turtle position.

Not only can this position allow for back exposure, but it can also open up front-headlock opportunities – a position Cejudo seldom passes up on.

Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong odds

The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the younger fighter, listing Song -310 and Cejudo +230 via FanDuel.

Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong prediction, pick

Although it can feel disrespectful to see the more proven product with a big plus number next to their name, I can understand the love coming in for Song.

As impressive as Cejudo’s MMA resume is, there are some deceptive circumstances and caveats attached to a lot of his fights. More importantly, Cejudo has been subject to some aging and inactivity that is difficult to ignore.

Not only is 38 old for bantamweight, but Cejudo – despite being the smaller man – finds himself in a matchup where he’ll likely be at a speed and athleticism disadvantage. And though I believe that a five-round affair benefits Cejudo from a stylistic perspective, the former champ’s gas tank seems less and less reliable as the years go on.

Don’t get me wrong: Cejudo has a head that rivals the front end of a 1961 Lincoln Continental, so no one should be shocked if Song wears himself out early by trying to put a dent in the Mexican-American’s chin.

But given the lack of optimism in Cejudo’s staying power, I’ll semi-reluctantly pick the more powerful puncher in Song. Even though the most likely outcome is a competitive affair that hits the scorecards, I have a sneaky suspicion that Song can put Cejudo away with a well-placed knee or some hard hooks to the body.

The pick is Song by knockout in Round 2.

Prediction: Song inside the distance

Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong start time, where to watch

As the main event, Cejudo and Song are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 11:15 p.m. ET. The fight streams via ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.