Cejudo vs Yadong Prediction and Betting Odds
Henry Cejudo will face Song Yadong in a bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night 252 on February 22 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, USA.
In this article, we will explore odds, predictions, and an exclusive fight preview for the Cejudo vs Yadong fight.
Who will win the fight?
Cejudo vs Yadong Betting Odds
Bookmakers favour Song Yadong, who competes far more frequently than the veteran Cejudo and is in much better form. The powerful and aggressive kung fu specialist has long been waiting for the fight with the former champion. A bet on Yadong’s victory can be placed at odds of
7/20
Cejudo vs Yadong Betting odds
Cejudo has clearly passed his prime, and his motivation remains questionable. His performance against Merab Dvalishvili was underwhelming, as fans expected much more. The Triple Champ simply couldn’t keep up. The odds for Cejudo's victory stand at
9/4
Statistics and Physical data
Song Yadong holds a 10 cm height advantage over Cejudo, which could make it difficult for the American to land clean strikes. However, Cejudo is used to fighting taller opponents, and their reach is nearly identical. That said, Cejudo’s age is a serious factor in the bantamweight division.
Henry Cejudo |
|
Song Yadong |
20 |
Fights |
31 |
16 |
Wins |
21 |
4 |
Losses |
8 |
0 |
Missed |
2 |
5’4’’ |
Height |
5’8’’ |
67.3 in |
Reach |
66.9 in |
134.92 lb |
Weight |
135.02 lb |
38 |
Age |
27 |
Henry Cejudo
-
Olympic gold medalist, a three-time gold medalist of the Pan American Championships, former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion.
-
20 fights, 16 wins, 4 losses.
Cejudo’s loss to Merab Dvalishvili was a major setback, and he admitted feeling exhausted after the first round. His pride won’t allow him to leave UFC on such a low note. Despite back-to-back losses, Cejudo remains competitive and will be a major threat to the Chinese fighter with the right preparation.
Cejudo will look to slip past Yadong’s lead hand, fire powerful low kicks, and use lateral movement to measure the perfect attack range. Expect sharp uppercuts, disguised takedown attempts, and a relentless focus on ground control. If Yadong tires, Cejudo could unleash ground-and-pound similar to his fight with Marlon Moraes.
Cejudo’s Last 5 Fights
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Method |
February 17, 2024 |
Merab Dvalishvili |
Loss |
Decision - Unanimous |
May 6, 2023 |
Aljamain Sterling |
Loss |
Decision - Split |
May 9, 2020 |
Dominick Cruz |
Win |
TKO |
June 8, 2019 |
Marlon Moraes |
Win |
TKO |
January 19, 2019 |
TJ Dillashaw |
Win |
TKO |
Song Yadong
-
Muay Thai, Sanda, and Jiu-Jitsu specialist, competed in ONE FC and M-1.
-
31 fights, 21 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw, 1 no contest
Yadong’s fight against Petr Yan was a huge opportunity, but his loss exposed weaknesses that must be addressed before making a title run. Defeating Cejudo won’t skyrocket him up the rankings, but a win over a former champion would cement his legitimacy in the top 10.
Yadong will likely utilise lead-leg high kicks and sharp hooks to prevent Cejudo from closing the distance. He’ll engage in heavy exchanges, mixing a right cross with a left hook, before quickly retreating and launching kicks to the head. Expect aggressive stance switches and spinning strikes, as Yadong trusts his takedown defence.
Yadong’s Last 5 Fights
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Method |
March 10, 2024 |
Petr Yan |
Loss |
Decision - Unanimous |
December 10, 2023 |
Chris Gutierrez |
Win |
Decision - Unanimous |
April 30, 2023 |
Ricky Simon |
Win |
TKO |
September 18, 2022 |
Cory Sandhagen |
Loss |
TKO |
March 13, 2022 |
Marlon Moraes |
Win |
KO |
Cejudo vs Yadong Prediction
Yadong will set a fast pace from Round 1, using his kickboxing combinations to secure the early advantage. His team prepares well for opponents, so he’ll likely be ready for Cejudo’s usual setups and takedowns. As the fight progresses, Cejudo can turn the tide, using his footwork and striking variety to find openings. He will target Yadong’s lead leg, mix in unpredictable movements, and eventually secure takedowns. Cejudo’s experience and unique fighting style make him a dangerous opponent for Yadong. His superior wrestling should be the deciding factor, and if his cardio holds up, he should win at least three of five rounds.