Henry Cejudo Challenges Song Yadong

Henry Cejudo wants to compete against Song Yadong once again, but this time outside of the Octagon.

Song beat Cejudo by technical decision on February 22, 2025, after an accidental eye poke left the American unable to continue in the fourth round, with judges scoring the bout 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 to Song at that point. Cejudo returned to the Octagon once more, at UFC 323 on December 3 that year, but lost to Payton Talbott by unanimous decision.

Though Cejudo hasn’t fought in the UFC since then, he has continued to compete as a wrestler. He beat Urijah Faber on February 28 and lost on July 11 to Merab Dvalishvili, before dominating in their rematch on August 22. All matches were under the Real American Freestyle banner.

Cejudo already seems to be planning his fourth wrestling match this year, and wants that match to be against Song Yadong so he can avenge his 2025 defeat.

“I know he’s got desire to wrestle in Real American Freestyle, and I would love to welcome him into Real American Freestyle.”

Cejudo is RAF’s crossover lightweight champion — a title he won in the most recent encounter with Merab Dvalishvili. Cejudo said he’d welcome such a fight happening as soon as RAF 13 on September 18 at Watsco Center in Miami, Florida. Colby Covington and Belal Muhammad square off in the main event.