Henry Cejudo Falls to Technical Decision at UFC Fight Night Seattle
Eye Poke Stops Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo’s return to the Octagon ended in controversy as he suffered a technical decision loss to Song Yadong at UFC Fight Night Seattle on February 24, 2025. The fight was stopped after the third round due to an accidental eye poke, which left Henry Cejudo unable to continue. Leaving the result in the hands of the judges – a technical decision!
Fight Recap: High Stakes, High Drama
The event, held at Climate Pledge Arena, saw Henry Cejudo attempting to reclaim his spot among the bantamweight elite. The former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion started strong, using his wrestling and striking to challenge the surging Song Yadong.
Yadong, known for his knockout power, remained composed and landed precise counterstrikes. The fight was shaping up to be a tactical war until an unintentional eye poke in the fourth round forced the cageside physician to intervene. After examining Cejudo, the doctor ruled that he was unable to continue due to vision impairment.
Judges’ Verdict: A Controversial Outcome
Because the fight had progressed past the halfway mark, the official result was determined by the judges’ scorecards. The decision was:
29-28 Yadong
29-28 Yadong
30-27 Yadong
This ruling gave Song Yadong a technical decision victory, marking a crucial win for the Chinese contender. However, the result sparked debate among fans, with many questioning whether the fight should have been ruled a no-contest.
Henry Cejudo, visibly frustrated, addressed the decision in his post-fight interview:
“I don’t know, man. I came here to fight, not for this. But hey, respect to Song. If the UFC wants to run it back, let’s do it.”
Yadong acknowledged the controversy and offered an immediate rematch, emphasizing that he wanted to secure a clear-cut victory over the former champion.
Diplopia, Soft Tissue Damage, Corneal Abrasion.
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) February 23, 2025
“hE wANteD a wAy OuT” #UFCSeattle pic.twitter.com/SYG48fmb3M
What’s Next for Henry Cejudo?
At 38 years old, this loss marks Cejudo’s third consecutive defeat since returning to the UFC in 2023. His previous losses came against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288 and Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298.
With a 1-3 record in his second UFC run, many are speculating whether “Triple C” will consider retirement once again. However, a rematch with Yadong remains a possibility, especially given the controversy surrounding the stoppage.
The UFC bantamweight division remains one of the most competitive weight classes, and Cejudo’s next move will be crucial for his future in the sport.
Henry Cejudo’s technical decision loss at UFC Fight Night Seattle leaves more questions than answers. While Song Yadong secured the victory, the circumstances surrounding the eye poke stoppage mean that this rivalry may not be over.
Will Cejudo push for a rematch, or is this the final chapter of his storied career? Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
