Song Yadong is set to headline his biggest UFC main event yet on Saturday as he takes on former two-division champion Henry Cejudo in the UFC’s return to Seattle. This will be Song’s fourth time headlining an event, and he is determined to send Cejudo back into retirement with a win in their bantamweight matchup.
“I believe I will make him retire off this one,” Song confidently stated on Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “It’s going to be once I beat [him] up. He’s funny. He likes to promote the fight, talk a lot of trash. But I like him and I respect him. He’s a legend.”
Song, 27, is looking to bounce back from a recent loss after a defeat to Petr Yan, while Cejudo, 38, is still seeking his first win since returning from retirement in 2023.
Both fighters have had a significant break since their last bouts, with Song’s last fight being nearly a year ago. Cejudo’s last UFC fight was over a year ago, where he fell short against Merab Dvalishvili.
Cejudo is known for his wrestling prowess, and Song expects him to rely on that in their upcoming fight. “I believe he’s going to try to wrestle me,” Song said. “I don’t believe he will stand [and] fight with me.”
After some speculation about potential matchups, Song ultimately secured the headline spot against Cejudo for UFC Seattle. Despite the disappointment of not facing Umar Nurmagomedov as originally rumored, Song is focused on the task at hand.
As he prepares to face Cejudo, Song reflects on Nurmagomedov’s recent loss to Dvalishvili, expressing surprise at the outcome. “I’m surprised,” Song admitted. “I believed Umar [could] win the fight because he can wrestle, he has better jiu-jitsu. But I think he got a hand injury in the first round or second round, but this is MMA, anything can happen.”