Henry Cejudo Vs. Song Yadong: Round-by-Round UFC Seattle Blog

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Post on Feb 23, 2025

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Cejudo Cruises to Victory: Dominates Yadong in UFC Seattle Main Event

Seattle, WA – Henry Cejudo returned to the Octagon after a three-year hiatus and immediately reclaimed his spot among the UFC's elite. In a highly anticipated main event at UFC Seattle on August 5th, 2023, Cejudo showcased his superior wrestling and striking, dominating Song Yadong en route to a unanimous decision victory. The judges' scorecards reflected the fight's clear narrative: 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46, all in favor of the former double-champion.

The fight started with a palpable sense of anticipation. Yadong, known for his aggressive striking and power, attempted to establish his range early, throwing several leg kicks and probing jabs. However, Cejudo, displaying remarkable agility and defensive awareness for someone who hadn't fought in years, effectively neutralized Yadong's attempts.

Round 1: Cejudo expertly used his superior footwork to avoid Yadong's power shots. He landed several sharp counters and began to mix in takedowns, controlling Yadong on the mat for significant portions of the round. While Yadong showed some resilience, escaping a few of Cejudo's takedown attempts, he couldn't consistently threaten the former champion on the feet or prevent Cejudo from securing advantageous positions on the ground.

Round 2: This round saw Cejudo tighten his control. He successfully executed takedowns with increasing ease, transitioning seamlessly between positions and landing consistent ground and pound. Yadong’s attempts to scramble back to his feet were met with Cejudo's relentless grappling, preventing any significant offensive opportunities. The round belonged decisively to Cejudo.

Round 3: Yadong showed more aggression in the third round, clearly sensing the need to change the fight’s trajectory. He landed a few clean shots, briefly interrupting Cejudo’s dominance. However, Cejudo's superior wrestling proved too much. He continued to secure takedowns, demonstrating impressive stamina for someone returning after an extended absence. While Yadong showed heart, he couldn't mount any sustained offense to shift the momentum.

Round 4 & 5: The final two rounds mirrored the previous ones. Cejudo consistently controlled the pace, expertly mixing his striking and takedowns. He displayed a high fight IQ, carefully picking his shots and avoiding unnecessary risks. While Yadong gamely attempted to counter and create openings, he found himself repeatedly thwarted by Cejudo's superior grappling and defensive skills. Yadong’s lack of wrestling defense ultimately hampered his ability to compete effectively with Cejudo's multifaceted attack.

The victory cemented Cejudo's immediate return to title contention in the bantamweight division. His dominant performance demonstrated not only his exceptional skill but also his remarkable dedication to training and conditioning. While Yadong showed flashes of brilliance, he couldn't overcome the vast disparity in wrestling and overall fight control. The fight served as a testament to Cejudo's enduring greatness and a reminder of his potential to once again claim UFC gold. The question now is: who will be next to step into the Octagon to challenge the returning king?