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

Bookmaker

Cejudo to win odds

Yadong to win odds

Betfred 

9/4

7/20

Unibet

9/4

7/20

Bluefox

43/20

7/20

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.