Song Yadong is on the brink of the most defining moment of his career. As he prepares to clash with former double champ Henry Cejudo in the main event of UFC Fight Night this Saturday, the 27-year-old Chinese sensation knows that this is his chance to catapult himself into the UFC’s elite.
After a frustrating 2024 that saw him sidelined longer than expected, Song is eager to make up for lost time. His last outing at UFC 299 in Miami against former champion Petr Yan ended in disappointment, halting his two-fight win streak. Though there was hope he would compete in Macau last November, the right fight never materialized. But now, all roads lead to Seattle, where he faces one of the biggest names in the sport.
“For me, it’s hard to spend time not fighting,” Song admitted. “The UFC wanted me to fight in Macau, but no one wanted to fight me there. But this week is exactly what I want – I want to fight Henry.”
A Career-Defining Moment Against a Legend
This isn’t just another fight for Song. This is an opportunity to take a massive leap forward in the bantamweight rankings and solidify his status as a true title contender. Cejudo, a former Olympic gold medalist and two-division UFC champion, may have dropped two straight fights since his return from retirement, but he remains a dangerous opponent.
Currently ranked No. 8 in the division, just one spot below Cejudo, Song sees this fight as his gateway to the top five – and eventually, a title shot.
“I’m so excited about this fight in Seattle,” he said. “There are a lot of Chinese people here, and I’m the main event. This one feels like a real main event for me because I’m fighting a legend.”
The 27-year-old has already amassed an impressive 10-3-1 record in the UFC, but now he wants to prove he belongs among the best. A win over Cejudo wouldn’t just be another victory—it would be the kind of statement that forces the MMA world to take notice.
Is Song Yadong Reaching His Prime?
Despite debuting in the UFC in 2017, it’s easy to forget that Song is still just 27 years old. Many fighters don’t reach their peak until their late 20s or early 30s, and Song believes his time is now.
“I feel like it’s time,” he declared. “I feel my technique, my mindset – everything is ready. I’m ready for a title shot.”
But first, he must go through Henry Cejudo, who is desperately looking to avoid a three-fight skid. The former champ is known for his fight IQ, wrestling, and ability to rise to the occasion. However, Song isn’t just planning to beat him—he’s planning to finish him.
“Of course, I wanna knock him out,” he said with a confident grin. “Finishing him is my goal.”
Will Song Yadong deliver the biggest performance of his career and send Cejudo packing? Or will Cejudo prove that experience and championship pedigree still reign supreme?
Find out this Saturday at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song, live from Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Prelims start at 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT, with the main card airing on ESPN+ at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT.