MMA news: Dana White shuts down Song Yadong and Henry Cejudo rematch talk

The main event of UFC Fight Night 252 between Song Yadong and Henry Cejudo was clouded by controversy following Yadong’s technical decision victory after only three of the five scheduled rounds were completed.

The action was cut short by an accidental eye poke that rendered the former two-weight world champion Cejudo with limited vision in his left eye, writes Sports News Blitz’s MMA expert Niall Togher.

Despite his best efforts to continue after taking his full five-minute break before fighting out the remaining minute or so of the third round, he went back to his corner and was unable to continue.

Enough of the bout had transpired by this point to go to the scorecards for a technical decision, with Yadong claiming the biggest scalp of his career so far after arguably winning all three rounds in what was an entertaining matchup.

Referee criticised

Some were critical of how the referee Jason Herzog handled proceedings and felt like the third round should not have been allowed to continue following the five-minute break as Cejudo was still having trouble with his eye.

If the third round was not allowed to finish, the bout would have been ruled a ‘No Contest’ as opposed to Cejudo losing a technical decision.

Following the fight, Cejudo and Song exchanged words on social media.

Speaking on his official ‘X’ account, Cejudo said: “Run it back, Dana White!

“Song Yadong, you told me you wanted a rematch. Your face at the end says it all. You know you didn’t defeat me. Learn how to close your fists and sign the damn contract.”

Song responded by saying: “Bro, of course. I’m more than happy to have a rematch with you. The first three rounds were just my warm-up. My plan was to turn it up in the fourth round and KO you – you know that.

“Tell the UFC to set it up, I’m ready to sign the contract anytime.”

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‘I just don’t want to see it again’

Despite this, Dana White poured cold water on a potential rematch between the two when asked if he was thinking of matching the pair up again at his post-event interview.

“Not at all. Not even a little bit.” White said before he added: “I just don’t want to see it again.”

Yadong deflated despite win

Yadong seemed deflated in his post-fight press conference despite picking up the biggest win of his career so far.

The Chinese contender was apologetic regarding the eye poke, saying: “So, my plan was to finish him in the fourth or fifth round but that (the eye poke) was totally an accident.

“I’m not so happy with that but it is what it is. I feel bad, I feel bad for Henry.”

Yadong was also asked to evaluate his performance through the first three rounds where the 27-year-old felt he still had plenty of adjustments to make.

“I can do better. His leg kicks hurt, and he switched southpaw and did some good jabs,” Yadong said.

With White seemingly closing the door for a potential rematch, Yadong has his sights set on former champion Sean O’Malley for his next fight if he can’t fight Cejudo.

“My goal is to be world champion. I want to fight a guy ranked above me. If not Henry, O’Malley. Give me O’Malley. I can fight anytime,” Yadong said.

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