UFC President Uninterested in Rebooking Bout After Controversial Stoppage

UFC Fight Night 252 on February 22, 2025, in Seattle saw former two-division champion Henry Cejudo take on rising bantamweight contender Song Yadong in the main event. The fight ended abruptly in the third round due to an accidental eye poke from Yadong, rendering Cejudo unable to continue. Since more than half the fight had been completed, Yadong was awarded a technical unanimous decision victory with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27. Despite both fighters calling for an immediate rematch, UFC President Dana White has firmly shut down the possibility of rebooking the fight.

Controversial Conclusion to Main Event

The matchup between Cejudo and Yadong was competitive up until the unfortunate incident in the third round. Yadong appeared to be gaining momentum, but after the accidental eye poke, Cejudo was unable to continue, leading to a stoppage by the ringside physician. The technical decision in favor of Yadong sparked debates among fans and analysts regarding the fairness of the result and whether a rematch should take place.

Fighters Advocate for Rematch

Both Cejudo and Yadong wasted no time voicing their desire for a rematch.

Cejudo took to social media to push for the fight to be rebooked, writing:

“We need to run this fight back ASAP!!! @danawhite I heard what you said but I encourage you to reconsider.”

Yadong also expressed a similar sentiment in his post-fight interview, stating:

“I respect Henry a lot, but I don’t want to win like this. Let’s do it again and settle it properly.”

Dana White’s Firm Stance Against Rematch

Despite the fighters’ appeals, Dana White made his position crystal clear at the post-fight press conference. When asked about the possibility of an immediate rematch, White responded bluntly:

“Not at all. Not even a little bit. I just don’t want to see it again.”

White then turned the question around to the media members in attendance, asking:

“Do you guys want to see that fight again? Because I don’t.”

This statement suggests that the UFC intends to move forward with other matchups for both fighters rather than revisiting this particular contest.

Implications for the Bantamweight Division

With White dismissing the idea of an immediate rematch, the bantamweight division is set to move in new directions. Yadong’s victory propels him further into title contention, potentially setting up fights against top-five opponents such as Cory Sandhagen or Merab Dvalishvili. Meanwhile, Cejudo must now evaluate his next steps, as this loss could significantly impact his standing in the division.

Regardless of White’s stance, Cejudo and Yadong remain determined to settle the score. Whether the UFC changes course remains to be seen, but for now, White has shut the door on an immediate rematch.

Source: MMAnytt.se

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