The main card at UFC Fight Night in Seattle, held at Climate Pledge Arena, kept fans on the edge of their seats despite the majority of the bouts going the distance. From the opening bell to the main event, the evening was filled with excitement, drama, and hard-fought victories.
The card kicked off with a light heavyweight clash between veteran Alonzo Menifield and newcomer Julius Walker. Menifield proved to be the more experienced of the two, securing a split decision victory (29-28, 30-27, 28-29). Walker showed flashes of talent but couldn’t quite match Menifield’s well-rounded game, as the veteran controlled much of the bout with his striking and wrestling.
Fighting Nerds standout Jean Silva continued to make waves in his UFC debut, registering his fourth straight stoppage win. Silva overwhelmed Melsik Baghdasaryan in the opening round, finishing the fight via TKO (strikes) at 4:15 of Round 1. His relentless pressure and technical striking were simply too much for Baghdasaryan, earning Silva a quick and dominant victory.
In bantamweight action, Rob Font took on the promising Jean Matsumoto in a thrilling, high-paced affair. Both fighters showcased their striking skills, but it was Font who emerged victorious after three rounds of back-and-forth action, winning by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). The two combatants were evenly matched, but Font’s precision and experience ultimately earned him the win, marking his second consecutive victory.
In a much-anticipated middleweight showdown, Anthony Hernandez and Brendan Allen battled for dominance in the division. The two had previously faced off in LFA, and their UFC rematch proved to be just as entertaining. The first two rounds were a back-and-forth grappling exchange, with each fighter having their moments on the canvas. However, it was Hernandez’s relentless pressure in the third round that gave him the advantage. He finished the round in top control, raining down strikes, and secured a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). This victory extended Hernandez’s winning streak to seven and solidified his status as a rising contender in the middleweight division.
The main event was one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the evening, but it ended in a controversial and anticlimactic fashion. Song Yadong faced former two-division champion Henry Cejudo in a bout that was halted following the third round due to an accidental eye poke from Yadong. Cejudo, unable to continue, had to be declared unfit to fight, leading to a technical decision in Yadong’s favor.
Throughout the fight, Song had the upper hand. The Chinese fighter was quicker and more effective with his strikes, showcasing impressive composure and control. Cejudo, on the other hand, had his moments, displaying his championship grit and durability despite taking heavy shots. Unfortunately, the fight’s abrupt ending left a sour taste, but the judges awarded Song a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), marking the biggest win of his career.
Although the victory doesn’t carry the same weight as it might have with a proper finish, it is a significant milestone for Song Yadong, who will surely move closer to title contention.
Main Card Results
• Song Yadong defeats Henry Cejudo by technical decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Anthony Hernandez defeats Brendan Allen by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Rob Font defeats Jean Matsumoto by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Jean Silva defeats Melsik Baghdasaryan by TKO (strikes) at 4:15 of Round 1
• Alonzo Menifield defeats Julius Walker by split decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)
Despite a few controversial moments and decisions, UFC Fight Night: UFC Seattle provided plenty of action, drama, and storylines that will continue to shape the future of several fighters in the promotion. Song Yadong’s technical decision win over Cejudo is a major talking point, but Anthony Hernandez’s performance in extending his winning streak to seven rounds out a night of exhilarating battles.
