The UFC capped off an eventful February with a thrilling Fight Night 252, held at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. This card had something for everyone, and it proved to be a night of ups and downs, nail-biting finishes, and a main event that left fans buzzing.
In the main event, Song Yadong faced off against former two-division champion Henry Cejudo, a matchup that had fans excited, not just for the competitive stakes but also for the fighters’ contrasting styles. Yadong emerged victorious via technical unanimous decision, improving his record to 22-8-1. For Cejudo, however, this loss marked a grim chapter, extending his losing streak to three bouts—a fact that is especially poignant given his illustrious career. As Yadong’s star continues to rise, Cejudo is left to ponder his next steps after not having won since May 2020. Historically, he has struggled to secure wins when going the distance, with four of his five career losses coming by way of decision.
One of the highlights of UFC Fight Night 252 was the impressive performance of the prelim card, where all fights ended in finishes. This not only provided thrilling spectacles for the audience but also emphasized the high stakes for debuting fighters. Unfortunately for them, only one out of four novices managed to secure victory, leaving many questions about the future of these fighters in the competitive UFC landscape.
The event also saw a strong turnout, with an announced attendance of 18,287 contributing to a live gate exceeding $3.8 million. Such figures underscore the UFC’s drawing power and the investment fans are willing to make in live events, especially when high-profile fights are on the card.
Regarding the event’s statistical outcomes, it marked only the fourth time in UFC history that more than one predetermined catchweight bout took place on the card. This factor alone speaks to the changing landscape within the organization, where fights are more frequently being arranged in unconventional ways.
Amidst the high-energy encounters, Anthony Hernandez stood out with a remarkable achievement, extending his winning streak at middleweight to seven fights. He now ties with Caio Borralho for the second-longest active streak in the division, trailing only behind Dricus Du Plessis. Hernandez’s record for takedowns in middleweight competition—45 takedowns—exemplifies his effectiveness and dominance within the octagon, breaking Chris Weidman’s previous record of 43.
New fighters continue to emerge, yet not all receive the fairy-tale debut every fighter dreams of. For instance, Jean Matsumoto suffered his first career defeat, breaking a stellar 16-fight winning streak. On the flip side, Jean Silva continued to impress by securing his fourth consecutive UFC victory by knockout, demonstrating potential as a rising star in the featherweight division.
Meanwhile, fighters like Modestas Bukauskas showed resilience by improving his record to 4-1 since his return to the UFC, with 13 of his 17 career victories coming by stoppage. This performance keeps him firmly on the radar as a fighter to watch moving forward.
The results from Fight Night 252 not only shifted the narratives for the fighters involved but also provided an engaging and entertaining show for fans. The future looks promising for Yadong, who has now proven himself in UFC headliners, while Cejudo faces an uncertain path as he grapples with ongoing struggles. The data emerging from this event highlights the ever-evolving state of the UFC, showcasing a mix of established favorites and new contenders ready to make their mark.
As MMA continues to grow in popularity, events like UFC Fight Night 252 serve as critical touchpoints in a fighter’s journey and career trajectory. Fans can only expect more exciting matchups and escalating stakes as the fight calendar progresses through 2023, keeping the momentum alive in the world of mixed martial arts.