Former UFC double champion Henry Cejudo returns to the Octagon after a year-long layoff to face unranked bantamweight contender Song Yadong in the main event of UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Cejudo, currently ranked sixth in ESPN’s divisional rankings, looks to regain title contention and end his two-fight losing skid.
Marc Montoya, Factory X MMA coach, believes Cejudo can win if he uses his wrestling advantage effectively. However, the 35-year-old fighter faces a speedier opponent in Yadong, who has already beaten Petr Yan by unanimous decision at UFC 299. Song’s strategy involves removing his focus from his opponent and targeting Yadong’s low calf kick.
ESPN betting expert Ian Parker favors Song to win, citing Cejudo’s lack of success since returning from retirement two years ago. Parker also recommends taking Song to win over 2.5 rounds for a more manageable number.
In other fights on the card, middleweight contender Brendan Allen is expected to defeat Anthony Hernandez by decision, while featherweight bout Jean Silva and Melsik Baghdasaryan are predicted to go the distance.
Cejudo’s odds for the fight are not entirely clear, as he took this bout without a specific reason. Montoya’s prediction of Song winning in later rounds suggests that Cejudo’s cardio will be crucial to his success in the fight.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mma/insider/story/_/id/43921970/ufc-fight-night-expert-picks-best-bets-henry-cejudo-vs-song-yadong