Henry Cejudo Gets A Chance To Settle The Score With Song Yadong At RAF 15

Henry Cejudo gets his wish as Song Yadong rematch headlines RAF 15.© NDTV Photo Library

Henry Cejudo has the opportunity to settle an unfinished score with Song Yadong. However, this will not take place in the octagon but rather in the wrestling ring. The former two-division UFC champion will defend his Real American Freestyle lightweight crossover title against Yadong. The bout headlines RAF 15 on November 28 at NOW Arena in Chicago. Their first encounter ended in frustration for Cejudo. An accidental eye poke forced him out of the bout. Cejudo has been waiting for a chance to finish that story. Yadong, however, will look to prove the result was no fluke.

Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong set for wrestling showdown

Cejudo and Song Yadong had their first fight at UFC Fight Night 252 in Seattle, United States, in February 2025. The accidental eye poke by Yadong left Cejudo incapable of continuing beyond the third round, and the Chinese fighter won by technical decision.

Cejudo later made his intentions clear. Speaking to MMA Junkie, he challenged Yadong to join RAF and offered to put his belt on the line.

He said, “I'd love to wrestle Song Yadong next. I know he's got desire to wrestle in Real American Freestyle, and I would love to welcome him into Real American Freestyle."

Cejudo added, “Let's put the belt on the line. Let's do it in Miami; why not? He's got a couple of weeks.”

RAF has now granted that wish. Yadong will make his freestyle wrestling debut against an Olympic gold medallist in Cejudo, giving the UFC bantamweight a steep introduction to the sport.

Yadong's momentum meets Cejudo's wrestling

Song Yadong enters with real momentum. He has won continuously UFC main events against former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Umar Nurmagomedov. He knocked out Khabib Nurmagomedov's cousin during their recent fight in just two rounds.

That victory handed Umar only the second loss of his professional career and strengthened Yadong's position among the UFC's leading bantamweights. But wrestling Cejudo is a different challenge altogether.

Cejudo, meanwhile, has been active on the RAF circuit. He beat Urijah Faber. He split two matches with Merab Dvalishvili. He also won the inaugural RAF lightweight crossover title in August. The title came with a 36-second pin of Dvalishvili.

RAF 15 will also feature several recognisable MMA names. Donald Cerrone will battle Anthony Pettis, while Cody Garbrandt will face Sergio Pettis, Clay Guida takes on Raul Rosas Jr., and Haley Augello meets Miranda Maverick.

For Cejudo, the bout provides an opportunity to settle a score that should never have happened. However, for Yadong, it is an opportunity to prove that his recent UFC surge translates beyond mixed martial arts.