UFC Seattle: Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong Betting Picks, Odds and Predictions

UFC Seattle Main Event Profiles

Henry “Triple C” Cejudo

Aged 34 years old, with the accomplishment of being an Olympic gold medal winner in wrestling and UFC championships obtained in two divisions, Henry Cejudo made the shock announcement and retired from the sport. He was riding a six-fight win streak, had picked up the flyweight and bantamweight titles, and had overcome some of the sport’s biggest names in Demetrious Johnson, T.J. Dillashaw, and Domnick Cruz.

Aged 37, Cejudo got the itch and decided to come out of retirement. However, a lot had changed, and while his superstar allowed him to walk straight back into a bantamweight title bout, he was faced with a new generation of competition, as Aljamain Sterling took the Olympian to his limits to claim a split decision victory.

Cejudo returned again last year and couldn’t shake the cobwebs, as the current 135-pound champ, Merab Dvalishvili, beat him at his own game and out-wrestled the former two-division champ to a unanimous decision.

Now, aged 38, Cejudo isn’t done yet. Under the tutelage of Fight Ready MMA, coaches believe he’s more focused than ever, with an anger inside that’s unwilling to leave the sport on a losing note. For the first time in seven years, Cejudo will compete outside of the top-five rankings, but will he have enough for a young, heavy-hitting opponent in Yadong, who’s looking to use his name as a stepping stone?

Cejudo Best Moneyline Odds: +230 at BetAnysports

Song “The Kung-Fu Kid” Yadong

Song Yadong, despite being just 27 years old, has more professional MMA experience than Cejudo and surprisingly has one more fight than the Olympian. However, elite-level competition hasn’t been plain sailing. To date, the Chinese slugger has lost both fights (Petr Yan & Cory Sandhagen) that have pitted him against top-five-ranked competition.

Despite this, many believe it’s Yadong’s time, including the oddsmakers throughout North America’s top sportsbooks. With a moneyline price of -265, he’s heavily favored over the former two-division champ, as losing 2 of his previous 4 UFC appearances doesn’t affect the public’s belief that he can overcome his veteran opponent this weekend.

Yadong Best Moneyline Odds: -265 at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)

UFC Seattle: Tale of the Tape

UFC Seattle Skillset Analysis: Styles Make Fights

Yadong has a perfect blend of heavy-hitting striking offense and wrestling. He’s not a one-trick pony in the octagon, and depending on the opponent, he has no trouble mixing up his offense once the cage door closes. However, he prefers to strike, which isn’t surprising considering the blistering power he’s displayed in the past, which has seen him collect nine knockouts from his 21 pro victories.

Given the stylistic matchup, it won’t be shocking to see Yadong look to engage in a striking battle for the most part. Cejudo, despite faltering versus Merab in wrestling, is levels above most UFC bantamweights in this department, and if he has one clear path to victory, it would be via a wrestling game plan.

That said, Cejudo’s striking is often overlooked. He’s fundamentality sound on the feet, and while critics regularly focus on his wrestling credentials, we shouldn’t neglect the fact that he’s been able to stand and bang with some of the best strikers in bantamweight history.

Cejudo Moneyline: The UFC Seattle Best Bet Formula

Powerful strikes, athleticism, age, and momentum are valid reasons to believe Yadong is the rightful favorite. Cejudo hasn’t looked his best of late, and he’s arguably far from the prime version of himself that lifted two titles. However, an incredibly close fight with Sterling and a loss to the division’s current champ aren’t enough proof to believe he’s washed.

In my opinion, the available odds have placed a ridiculous moneyline price on a former two-division champion, even more so considering that Yadong has always failed to overcome his most difficult opponents.

I’m not even looking at this fight from a stylistic standpoint; I’m backing Cejudo strictly based on principle. The +230 price tag isn’t warranted, and while Yadong is always live for a knockout, knockdown, and more damage delivered than his opponents, we don’t have the evidence that he’s capable of defeating Cejudo, especially across five rounds, where the Olympic level wrestler has far more experience and evidence that he’s capable of walking out victorious.

UFC Pick: Cejudo ML (+230) at BetAnysports [1u to win 2.3u]

Henry Cejudo ML (+230)

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*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.