The UFC finally returns to Seattle after almost 12 years as the excitement from fans gradually increases as we're only one day away. The headliner features a Bantamweight battle between the #7 contender, Henry Cejudo, against the #8 contender, Song Yadong. Here is what you need to know before it all begins.
Henry Cejudo fought a year ago where he increased his losing streak to two after suffering a defeat to Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision at UFC 298.
The Los Angeles-born fighter came very close to becoming a two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion when he lost to Aljamain Sterling by split decision at UFC 288, despite already being a simultaneous two-division champion in the UFC from June 2019 to May 2020.
Triple C has stopped half of his conquered opponents as he holds eight KO/TKO wins as his last stoppage win came against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249.
Cejudo has gradually fallen down the Bantamweight rankings ever since he returned to the UFC which is why he will be aiming for redemption in Seattle, as a way to climb back to the top of the division.
Song Yadong suffered his third loss in the organisation when he was defeated by Petr Yan at UFC 299, snapping his two-fight winning streak.
The Chinese mixed martial artist has picked up some big wins against current and former contenders of the 135-pound division, such as Marlon Vera, Marlon Moraes, Ricky Simon and Chris Gutierrez.
The Kung Fu Kid has took some battles to the distance, but prefers to stop a fight when he can as out of 21 wins, he has secured nine KO/TKO triumphs and three submissions.
The #8 Bantamweight contender is only one place away from his opponent as it will be a great way to get back in the win column and could be the biggest victory of his career if he can improve from his last performance.
other fights you should look out for
Brendan Allen vs Anthony Hernandez - Allen had his seven-fight winning streak taken away from him when he suffered a defeat to Nassourdine Imavov by unanimous decision at UFC Paris. All In is a dangerous submission artist who has choked or tapped out 14 of his 24 conquered opponents. The #9 Middleweight contender is looking to bounce back from his previous loss as he will drop down the rankings if he receives another defeat.
Hernandez currently stands on a six-fight winning streak with his last fight ending by fifth-round TKO against Michel Pereira at UFC Vegas 99. Fluffy is also a big threat on the ground with eight of his 13 victories ending by submission. The #12 Middleweight contender has a great chance to enter the top 10 and become a real capture if he can win and finish his foe in Seattle.
Jean Silva vs Melsik Baghdasaryan - Silva fought in the UFC for the first time last year, winning all three bouts by KO/TKO with his most recent triumph coming against Drew Dober at UFC Denver. Lord has only had one win go the distance as he likes to knock his opponents out, holding 11 KO/TKO wins out of 14 career victories. The Brazilian Featherweight has already become an eye-catching prospect in the UFC and he will grow even more if he is victorious.
Baghdasaryan has not fought since July 2023 where he claimed redemption with a decision win over Tucker Lutz at UFC Vegas 77. The Gun prefers to knock his opponents out, earning five KO/TKO wins out of eight triumphs in his MMA career. The Armenian will be a big underdog heading into this battle, however, he will be aiming to make a big surprise at the Climate Pledge Arena.
Ion Cutelaba vs Ibo Aslan - Cutelaba last fought at UFC Paris where he did just enough to redeem himself and win by split decision against Ivan Erslan. The Hulk rarely goes the distance with his opponents, stopping 13 of them by KO/TKO and two by submission. The Moldovan has fought some of the biggest names and toughest people in the Light Heavyweight division, and with another ferocious prospect taking him on, he looks to pull off an underdog win.
Aslan had his first two UFC fights last year where he pulled off TKO wins over Anton Turkalj at UFC Atlantic City and Rafael Cerqueira at UFC 308. The Last Ottoman has knocked all of his conquered opponents out with 12 of those stoppage wins happening in the first round. The Turkish prospect will be eyeing another knockout win to add to his 100% finish rate as he looks like a future contender in the 205-pound division.
Who wins between Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong? Which fight are you looking forward to the most?
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
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MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
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