The Cejudo vs Yadong fight, at UFC Seattle, ended in controversy when an accidental eye poke caused Henry Cejudo to see double and incur a corneal injury, stopping the fight.
In spite of the injury, Song Yadong was awarded the victory, and there was controversy over the UFC’s policy on unethical attackings. Cejudo now wants a rematch, and is calling for the rules to be amended, including automatic point deductions for eye pokes. Should the UFC alter the manner in which it officiates? Cejudo believes so.
Henry Cejudo’s Eye Injury: Diplopia and Corneal Abrasion
During the much-discussed Cejudo vs Yadong fight, on February 17, 2025, in Seattle, Henry Cejudo sustained major eye injuries, including double vision and a corneal abrasion, after an accidental poke to the eye by his opponent, Song Yadong. The poke caused diplopia (double vision), a condition where a person sees two images of a single object, and corneal abrasion, which is damage to the outer layer of the eye, leading to pain and discomfort.
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After the fight was stopped, Cejudo experienced ongoing blurriness in his vision, which continued for hours. He expressed his worries on social media, saying he was still facing double vision. In a video, he described the seriousness of his situation, saying, “I’m still seeing double. I’m still seeing blurriness.”
He also pointed out the soft tissue injuries from the poke, indicating that the injury was not just minor but had serious effects on his vision and eye health. Cejudo’s corneal abrasion was a major worry because it impacts the delicate eye surface, leading to pain, redness, and blurry vision. If not treated well, it could result in lasting vision problems that might affect his career in the sport.
Controversial Fight Stoppage: Song Yadong’s Eye Poke
The Cejudo vs Yadong bout, in UFC Seattle, became a serious topic for discussion after the controversial finish off of an eye poke by Song Yadong. Cejudo had his eye poked by Yadong’s finger in the third round unintentionally, resulting in extreme vision deprivation for Cejudo. The fight was stalled for a checkup and later concluded, where Yadong was declared as the winner.
Although the poke was accidental, it caused people to question the fight’s result. Many believe the fight could have ended differently. Cejudo showed his frustration by calling for a rematch and raised issues about how the incident was dealt with.
Cejudo recognized that Yadong didn’t mean to poke his eye, but he still believed a penalty was needed, leading to debate in the UFC community about the fight’s result.
Cejudo’s Rematch Demand and Calls for UFC Rule Changes
After his disputed defeat in the Cejudo vs Yadong fight, in UFC Seattle, Henry Cejudo has insisted on a rematch, and urged for major rule changes in the UFC.
The battle ended in the third round when an accidental eye poke from Song Yadong gave Cejudo double vision and a corneal abrasion, drastically impeding his vision. Despite the illegal move, Yadong was announced the winner, which generated a great deal of controversy.
Cejudo shared his thoughts on social media regarding the incident. He mentioned that he doesn’t think Yadong did it on purpose, but he feels the UFC should enforce point deductions for eye pokes, regardless of whether it was intentional. He also suggested that instant replay should be used to review fouls in real time for better officiating.
Cejudo was upset about the result of the bout, saying he didn’t actually lose, and warranted a rematch with Yadong. He insists that the UFC needs to do a better job of judging to avoid controversies like this going forward.
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