SEATTLE – Song Yadong was a man of few words after UFC Fight Night 252.
If you didn’t know better, you’d think he’d just come off a devastating loss. But as he sat at the podium and spoke to reporters, including MMA Junkie, Song (22-8-1 MMA, 11-3-1 UFC) was a winner. He defeated Henry Cejudo (16-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) by technical decision – one that he did not seem very proud of.
“That was totally an accident,” Song said backstage at Climate Pledge Arena. “I’m not so happy with that. It is what it is. I feel bad. I feel bad for Henry.”
Song poked Cejudo in the eye midway through Round 3. Even though he utilized all five minutes allotted to him for the foul, Cejudo elected to continue the fight. It was when he got back to his corner that he openly complained to his cornermen and the commission about the damage to his eye.
Had Cejudo not competed the final minute-plus of the round after the foul, the fight would not have completed three full rounds and would’ve been deemed a no contest.
“I saw that (would’ve been) a no contest (if he had stopped when the foul occurred),” Song said. “That’s why I feel so bad.”
Song openly asked for a rematch during his in-cage interview. However, UFC CEO Dana White shot that idea down after the event.
Given White’s comments, Song revealed there’s an alternative matchmaking option that also interests him.
“My goal is the world champion, so whatever UFC gives me, I want to fight the guys who are ranked above me,” Song said. “If not Henry, give me (Sean) O’Malley. I can fight any time.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.
