“I just cannot let it roll like this. I just cannot,” Henry Cejudo said post UFC 298 after this heartbreaking setback against current champ Merab Dvalishvili. He further added, “As much as it hurts. Again, guys, I take the L. But I cannot take the L knowing the way that I pretty much went out. So as of today, guys, I was getting ready to announce my [retirement] — a couple of days ago, I literally did a whole video on my retirement, thanking my family, thanking my friends, thanking everybody who has been there. I take the L. But I cannot let it sit like this. I just cannot, man.”

At 38 years old, Henry Cejudo has done it all and is one of the best to ever strap the fingerless gloves. Moreover, the former champ-champ has been doing pretty well in his role as a podcast host and an MMA analyst. But at the same time, ‘Triple C’ hasn’t found his bearings inside the Octagon ever since he made his return from a self-inflicted retirement in 2023. And he wishes to go out swinging, and not be carried out of the Octagon, both literally and figuratively. However, with age not on his side, people have started to wonder if it’s the end of the road for Cejudo because if it’s not, his upcoming opponent, Song Yadong, seems to have a plan to see that it happens.

The former double champion has already cemented himself first by winning an Olympic gold at a time when Yadong was about ten years old. And then, he became one of the few multi-division champions in promotional history. The 27-year-old Chinese native, who fights Cejudo at UFC Fight Night 252 in Seattle, acknowledged every single career achievement of his opponent, but he’s determined to make a mark for himself and send ‘Triple C’ packing.

“He’s a legend, [Cejudo] was Olympic champ when I was young, two-division UFC champion… I like the fight,” Song Yadong stated on ‘The MMA Hour’. “I believe I will make him retire after this one… It’s gonna be one-sided beat-up.”

For Song Yadong, there’s more to like than dislike about Henry Cejudo. Putting aside claims about the former double champion being ‘cringe’, the 27-year-old appreciates the veteran’s humor and effort to generate interest among fans. “He’s funny. He likes to promote the fight and talk a lot of trash. But I like him… I respect him. He’s a legend,” Yadong added.

But besides revealing the kind of impression Henry Cejudo has made on him, Song Yadong also revealed to be aware of his veteran opponent’s game plan – relentless wrestling. “I believe he’s gonna try and wrestle me. I don’t think he’ll stand [and fight] with me,” the Chinese native added.

Besides, it’s a big opportunity for the rising bantamweight because he’s been sidelined for a considerable time. He also revealed the problems with the UFC in getting a fight to materialize.

Song Yadong reveals being forced to ‘wait’

As we all know, long layoffs don’t always work out. It happened with Henry Cejudo (self-inflicted or not), and it was something that Song Yadong wasn’t looking for. He wanted to stay active and to fight anybody the UFC had for him, but the UFC had other plans. Dana White and Co. would suggest he waited for the right time since his defeat to Petr Yan in March last year.

“I told the UFC I want to fight anybody, even an unranked opponent is okay, but they don’t give me anyone. They want me to wait,” Yadong expressed in frustration. Well, the 27-year-old has his big fight now as he may have fought a former champion last time out. This time Yadong’s got a former double champion ready to butt heads this weekend.

Understandably, the Chinese 135fer is looking forward to making a statement. It’s because an opportunity, such as a fight against Henry Cejudo, is pretty hard to come by in the UFC. Nevertheless, it’s still a high-level fighter we’re talking about, someone who taught Jon Jones the move the heavyweight champ used to win his title.

So Yadong will need to be in his A-game. Can the champ dish out one more masterpiece before calling it quits or will the new generation take guard? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!