Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong 2/22/25 – As the world of MMA continues to evolve, new matchups are more exciting than ever and they tend to grab attention from all over the globe. Folks are eagerly waiting for February 22, 2025, since a bantamweight duel between Henry “Triple C” Cejudo and the “Kung Fu Kid” Song Yadong is surely going to be one of the greatest MMA events ever. The fight is expected to be the shift that the bantamweight division has long been looking for as both fighters possess powerful credentials to back them up.
Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong 2/22/25
| When: | Saturday, February 22, 2025 | Time: 9:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington, USA |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | UFC Fight Pass |
As of now, Song Yadong appears to be the favorite at -225, meaning a lot of faith is placed in his chances of victory. On the other hand, Henry Cejudo comes into this fight as an underdog having a +190 moneyline which provides a good betting opportunity for those who think he can win. These odds are very close to each other which means a tight match, but the preference has to be on Yadong because of how he has been performing of late and the betting market’s outlook on him.
Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong 2/22/25 Odds
| Fighter | Odds | Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Cejudo | +190 | Song Yadong | -225 |
Main Card
Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo also referred to as “Triple C” for earning championship titles in both MMA and Olympic wrestling, boasts a record of 16 wins and 4 losses. Due to his unforgiving grappling and cautiously strategic fight approach, Cejudo has a wealth of experience that he brings to the table, particularly in high-danger matches. His average fight time of 13:28 proves that he can go for long distances, often employing his wrestling skills to dictate the pace and position of the fight. He has a takedown average of 1.99 per 15 minutes, in addition to 75% defense rate. His wrestling skills will probably be very important against Yadong.
Although recently lost to Merab Dvalishvili, Cejudo has a fighting style and experience with championship bouts to counter a striker’s style from someone like Yadong. This ability to incorporate striking with takedowns will very likely be important in this fight in attempts to neutralize Yadong’s reach and striking frequency.
Song Yadong
Song Yadong, otherwise known as the “Kung Fu Kid” comes into the fight with a record of 21-7-1 (1 NC). He is an accomplished striker as evidenced by his higher Strikes Landed per Minute (SLpM) of 4.49 compared to Cejudo’s 3.77. He is 5’8″ tall and boasts a reach of 67 inches which helps him gain an edge during stand-up fights. Yadong’s striking accuracy sits at an average of 43%, while he absorbs 3.96 strikes per minute with a defensive rate of 55%, illustrating some defiance and tactical striking under duress.
His most recent defeat against Petr Yan highlights the stiff competition he has been fighting, which may help prepare him for the challenge posed by Cejudo. Although Yadong’s remaining submission defense is 72% and he holds a similar submission average to Cejudo, he will need to rely on his striking and movement to maintain distance and dictate the pace of the fight.
Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong Betting Numbers
| Record | 16-4-0 | 21-8-1 |
| Last Fight | Loss | Loss |
| Country | USA | China |
| Height | 5’4″ | 5′ 8″ |
| Weight (lbs) | 135 | 135 |
| Reach (in) | 64″ | 67″ |
| Win by KO/TKO | 50% | 43% |
| Win by Submission | 0% | 14% |
| Decisions | 50% | 43% |
| Strikes landed per minute | 3.77 | 4.49 |
| Striking accuracy | 55.13% | 50.00% |
| Striking absorbed per minute | ||
| Striking defense | ||
| Takedown average | 1.99 | 0.66 |
| Takedown accuracy | 32.47% | 40.00% |
| Takedown defense | ||
| Submission average | 0.16 | 0.17 |
Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong Summary
In the next fight for the UFC, Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong face off in what seems like a game of chess both fighters will need to put their thinking caps on. Cejudo has a huge upper hand due to his exceptional wrestling skills as well as his title-winning experience which could work wonders for him in this fight if he is able to get to his opponent and fight on the ground. Yadong, on the other hand, needs to focus on using his striking and movement to dominate the fight where he can fully use his reach and quickness.
Given the style and attributes of both fighters, it seems like Song Yadong would be favored in this fight, especially because the action is likely to take place on his feet and he has all the tools to set the tempo. However, Cejudo’s underdog status comes with an appeal due to his seemingly endless father time-defying achievements. This fight is bound to entertain and shake up the bantamweight ranks regardless of who walks out the victor.
