Cejudo Calls Out Song Yadong for RAF Wrestling Match

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Henry Cejudo is calling out Song Yadong for a freestyle wrestling match in Real American Freestyle, looking to settle unfinished business from their February fight without stepping back into the cage.

Cejudo lost to Song via technical decision last February after the bout was waved off due to an accidental eye poke. Speaking to MMA Junkie, Cejudo made clear the result still bothers him and proposed a wrestling showdown instead of an MMA rematch.

"I'd love to wrestle Song Yadong next," Cejudo said. "I know he's got desire to wrestle in Real American Freestyle, and I would love to welcome him into Real American Freestyle. Let's put the belt on the line. Let's do it in Miami, why not?"

Cejudo didn't stop at the invitation. He escalated it into a public challenge with a deadline attached.

"So, Song Yadong, I got a message for you, coward: My eye is permanently damaged forever. You got two weeks to get your ass ready for Real American Freestyle in Miami. I'm making it public right now. Talk is cheap. You say you want to wrestle; you say you want to compete? I am willing to compete against you in Miami and then Boston the next damn week. Answer the call and sign the damn contract."

Why Cejudo Wants Wrestling, Not a Rematch

Cejudo has built his post-UFC run around Real American Freestyle rather than the cage, and that includes a win over Merab Dvalishvili during that stretch. The Song callout fits that pattern. Instead of pushing for an MMA rematch, Cejudo is trying to pull Song into the sport where Cejudo made his name as an Olympic gold medalist, on Cejudo's terms and in a promotion Cejudo is already committed to.

Cejudo also pointed to Song's wrestling background as part of the sales pitch, noting Song has been working with wrestlers at Valentine and framing the matchup as a live folkstyle-versus-freestyle proposition rather than just trash talk.

Song's Standing Makes This a Bigger Ask

Song is coming off a career-defining win over Umar Nurmagomedov, which raises his profile well beyond a typical crossover callout. That win is precisely why Cejudo is targeting him now. A yes from Song would be a notable coup for Real American Freestyle, pulling a hot UFC name into a non-MMA promotion at the peak of his momentum. Whether Song has any actual interest in stepping onto a wrestling mat for Cejudo remains to be seen, and nothing from Song's camp has confirmed he's engaging with the callout.

Betting Angle

There's no market to speak of yet since this is a callout, not a signed bout, but the framing matters for anyone tracking Real American Freestyle's crossover appeal. If Cejudo can actually land a name like Song Yadong on short notice, it would be a signature booking for the promotion and likely draw significant betting interest given Cejudo's Olympic wrestling pedigree against a fighter better known for his hands. For now, this is a call to sign a contract, not a fight fans can price out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Henry Cejudo say about Song Yadong?

Henry Cejudo publicly called out Song Yadong to face him in a freestyle wrestling match for Real American Freestyle, proposing the bout take place in Miami.

Why does Henry Cejudo want to fight Song Yadong again?

Henry Cejudo lost to Song Yadong via technical decision in February after the fight was stopped due to an accidental eye poke, and he wants a form of payback through wrestling rather than a rematch in MMA.