This weekend in Seattle, one of the most disrupted fight cards in recent MMA history will unfold. UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song has seen the cancellation of no fewer than seven originally planned bouts, and several of the remaining 12 contests have been altered, with many fighters stepping in on short notice.
Among the high-profile withdrawals are former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz’s retirement bout, as well as fights involving notable names like Edson Barboza and Curtis Blaydes. Despite the setbacks, there are still plenty of intriguing matchups to keep fans engaged. Let's take a closer look at the main card for this Saturday's event.
Main Event: Henry Cejudo vs. Yadong Song (135 lbs)
After two previous attempts, former UFC two-weight champion Henry Cejudo (16-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is looking for his first win since returning from retirement in 2023.
Cejudo, known as "Triple C," made history by dethroning Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title in 2018 and then claiming the bantamweight belt by defeating Marlon Moraes a year later. After a successful title defense against Dominick Cruz in 2020, Cejudo controversially decided to step away from the sport, sparking speculation about whether it was a negotiating tactic to increase his pay.
His return in 2023 came with an immediate title shot against bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288, but he fell short, losing by split decision. In February of the previous year, he faced Merab Dvalishvili, and again, Cejudo was outpointed, which led to Dvalishvili earning a title shot that he would eventually win against Sean O'Malley.
Now, in Yadong Song (21-8-1 MMA, 10-3-1 UFC), Cejudo faces a fighter for the first time since 2017 without title implications on the line. Song, who lost a unanimous decision to former champion Petr Yan in March of 2024, is a dangerous opponent. The fight will be crucial in determining where Cejudo currently stands in the UFC bantamweight division.
Co-Main: Brendan Allen vs. Anthony Hernandez (185 lbs)
In the co-main event, two top-ranked middleweights will face off as Brendan Allen (24-6 MMA, 12-3 UFC) takes on Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC).
Allen had a seven-fight win streak (with five victories by rear-naked choke) before a decision loss to Nassourdine Imavov in September 2024 at UFC Paris. He now gets a second opportunity to fight Hernandez, whom he faced back in 2018 for the vacant LFA middleweight title. Hernandez won that bout by decision, but much has changed since then, and this rematch is set to be a thrilling contest.
Rob Font vs. Jean Matsumoto (140 lbs)
Originally scheduled to face Dominick Cruz, Rob Font (21-8 MMA, 11-7 UFC) now finds himself in a catchweight contest against undefeated Brazilian prospect Jean Matsumoto (16-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC).
Matsumoto, who debuted in the UFC in 2024, has already made a name for himself by defeating Dan Argueta and two-time TUF winner Brad Katona. Font, at 37, is hoping to continue his career momentum after a win over Kyler Phillips in his most recent fight, though he’ll need to step up his game against the promising Matsumoto.
Jean Silva vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (145 lbs)
Another Brazilian talent, Jean "Lord" Silva (14-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) will also showcase his skills when he faces Armenia's Melsik Baghdasaryan (8-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC).
Silva, known for his knockout power, has quickly impressed UFC fans with dominant victories over Westin Wilson, Charles Jourdain, and Drew Dober. However, his weight-cutting challenges—he missed the 146-pound mark in his fight against Jourdain—could pose an obstacle this time around. Silva’s most recent contest against Dober took place at lightweight, and this fight will reveal whether his power can carry him to continued success at featherweight.
Alonzo Menifield vs. Julius Walker (205 lbs)
A last-minute addition to the card, Alonzo Menifield (15-5-1 MMA, 8-5-1 UFC) will face UFC newcomer Julius Walker (6-0) in the light heavyweight division.
Menifield is coming off two consecutive losses to Carlos Ulberg and Azamat Murzakanov, both of which were finishes. Walker, just 25 years old, remains undefeated, with five of his six wins coming in the first round. This bout will be crucial for Menifield to get back on track, while Walker looks to continue his unbeaten streak in the UFC.
