UFC Seattle: Song Yadong Secures Technical Decision Victory, What’s Next for Song?

In a highly anticipated bantamweight clash at UFC Seattle, Song Yadong secured a controversial technical decision victory over former two-division champion Henry Cejudo. The main event, which took place at the Climate Pledge Arena on February 22, 2025, came to an abrupt end after the third round due to an accidental eye poke that left Cejudo unable to continue.

Cejudo-Song was stopped after the fourth round continued and was taken into decision after the three rounds due to eye pokes that rendered Cejudo unable to continue.

Song Yadong won by technical decision. #UFCSeattle pic.twitter.com/TzsouoAo6m

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 23, 2025

Song dominated the early exchanges, showcasing his superior speed and precision striking. He effectively neutralized Cejudo’s wrestling attempts, keeping the fight standing where he held a clear advantage. As the bout progressed, Cejudo found some success with his strikes, but Song’s output remained higher throughout.

The turning point came late in the third round when Song accidentally poked Cejudo in the eye while defending against an incoming attack. After taking the full five-minute recovery period, Cejudo opted to continue fighting. However, as soon as the fourth round began, it became clear that Cejudo’s vision was severely compromised, forcing referee Jason Herzog to call an end to the contest.

With three rounds completed, the fight went to the scorecards, resulting in a technical decision. All three judges scored the bout in Song’s favor (30-27, 29-28, 29-28), securing him the biggest win of his career. Despite the victory, Song expressed disappointment with the outcome, apologizing for the accidental foul and suggesting an immediate rematch.

The win propels Song further up the bantamweight rankings, potentially setting him up for even bigger fights in the future. Here are three potential matchups for Song Yadong:

Sean O’Malley

Following UFC CEO Dana White’s statement that he’s “not at all” interested in a rematch between Song and Cejudo, Song made a speculative callout of former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. This matchup would pit Song against one of the division’s most popular and exciting fighters. O’Malley’s striking prowess combined with Song’s well-rounded skillset could produce a thrilling stand-up battle that fans would eagerly anticipate.

Petr Yan Rematch

A rematch with former bantamweight champion Petr Yan could be an intriguing option for Song. The two faced off in March 2024, with Yan securing a unanimous decision victory. Given Song’s improved performance against Cejudo, a second bout with Yan could showcase his growth and potentially yield a different result. This matchup would also give Song a chance to avenge his most recent loss and potentially break into the top five of the division.

Rob Font

Rob Font, who has been a perennial contender in the bantamweight division, could be another compelling matchup for Song. Both fighters are known for their striking prowess, which could lead to an exciting stand-up battle. As they are closely ranked, this bout could serve as a potential title eliminator, with the winner potentially climbing the rankings toward a potential number one contender fight.

As Song Yadong continues to climb the bantamweight ladder, these potential matchups offer exciting opportunities for the Chinese fighter to solidify his position as a true contender in one of the UFC’s most competitive divisions. With his technical decision victory over Cejudo, Song has proven he can compete with the elite of the division, and his next fight will be crucial in determining his path to a potential title shot.

The controversial ending to the Cejudo fight may leave some questions unanswered, but it’s clear that Song Yadong has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the 135-pound weight class. Whether he faces a former champion like O’Malley, seeks revenge against Yan, or takes on a fellow contender like Font, Song’s next bout is sure to be a pivotal moment in his career and the bantamweight division as a whole.