New Delhi: Chinese MMA star Song Yadong is all set to make his much-awaited comeback to the Octagon at the UFC Seattle later this week. Yadong will take on former two-division champion Henry Cejudo in the main event of UFC Seattle on Sunday. Yadong has issued a warning to American Cejudo ahead of their much-awaited bantamweight showdown.
Yadong will be heading into the clash on the back of a loss to Petr Yan in March last year and will be hoping to return to winning ways. The Chinese star will be stepping into the Octagon for the first time since going down to Yan by unanimous decision during their fight last year. Meanwhile, Cejudo, who came out of retirement to make his UFC comeback in 2023, will also be looking to earn his first win since his return.
Ahead of the blockbuster fight, Yadong has sent a stern warning to Cejudo vowing to send him back into retirement with a brutal defeat in their upcoming fight at UFC Seattle. 38-year-old Cejudo, an Olympic gold medallist, has much more experience than Yadong but it will be interesting to see if he would be able to contain the spirited Chinese star.
“I believe I will make him retire off this one, It’s going to be once I beat [him] up,” Song told Uncrowned’s ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’.
“He’s funny. He likes to promote the fight, talk a lot trash. But I like him and I respect him. He’s a legend,” he added.
Don’t believe Cejudo will stand fight: Yadong
Though he has respect for veteran Cejudo, who has a 16-4 record in MMA with 1 knockout win to his name, Yadong insisted he is aware of the American’s strengths and weaknesses. Yadong insisted Cejudo, who relies on his wrestling moves, will do the same against him as the American will stand a little chance if he stands and fights.
“I believe he’s going to try to wrestle me. I don’t believe he will stand [and] fight with me,” said Yadong.
The Chinese is not entirely wrong in his idea of the fight against the American as Cejudo relied heavily on his wrestling tactics during his loss against current UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili in his most recent UFC outing. Yadong, who currently ranks 8 in the bantamweight rankings, has a record of 21-8-1 in professional MMA.
Chinese star Song Yadong has issued ‘retirement’ warning to former two-division champion Henry Cejudo ahead of their clash at UFC Seattle on Sunday, February 23. UFC Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
