After more than 10 years away, the UFC returns to the Pacific Northwest for UFC Seattle. Taking the top-billed spot of the event is none other than former bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo, as he collides with rising contender Song Yadong. In the penultimate bout of the evening, middleweight sensations Brendan Allen and Anthony Hernandez run it back in an anticipated rematch from their previous scrap in the Legacy Fighting Alliance back in 2018.
UFC Seattle Main Event
Since ending his retirement and resuming his career in 2023, Cejudo has encountered a rough patch, losing back-to-back fights against Serra Longo Fight Team luminaries Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili. Still striving to regain his place as one of the best in the world, the previous two-weight champion is seeking to get himself back into the winners circle after five years in UFC Seattle.
Getting back into action following a 2024 loss to once 135-lb kingpin Petr Yan at UFC 299, Yadong will find a stellar test in the experienced Cejudo, who is considered by many to be an all-time combat sports great. On a quest for UFC gold himself, the Chinese striking specialist could favorably position himself in the queue for the bantamweight strap should he manage to bring down the promotional icon.
UFC Seattle Co-Main Event
Nearly seven years prior, Allen competed for the second time for the LFA Middleweight Championship after dropping a unanimous decision to Eryk Anders in his first attempt. Locking horns with Hernandez in the main event of LFA 32, “All In” was once again denied the belt, falling to Hernandez by unanimous decision. With his last setback to Nassourdine Imavov in the rearview mirror, Allen now has the chance to even out the score with “Fluffy” while also getting back on track toward title contention.
Undefeated in five years, Hernandez has embarked on an unstoppable warpath through the middleweight division, collecting the scalps of strong opposition like Rodolfo Vieira, Edmen Shahbazyan, Roman Kopylov and Michel Pereira. Standing as a top name at 185-lb, Hernandez can catapult himself into the division’s upper echelon as he aims to close out his rivalry with Allen.
More Bouts On the UFC Seattle Main Card
On the rest of the main card at UFC Seattle, Rob Font faces Jean Matsumoto, who is filling in on short notice after Font’s original opponent, Dominick Cruz retired from competition due to injuries. Next, popular featherweight slugger Jean Silva goes to battle with Melsik Baghdasaryan. Then, Alonzo Menifield opens the show in a sure-to-be exciting tussle opposite Julius Walker.
UFC Seattle Betting Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC Seattle picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC Fight Night 251:
- Jeremy Brand: 7-23
- Michael DeSantis: 1-11
- Frazer Krohn: 6-19
- Andrew Benjamin: 6-25
- Paul Browne: 6-14
- Hank Strandberg: 8-23
- Drew Zuhosky: 6-25
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Alonzo Menifield -245
Vs.
Julius Walker +200
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Menifield via Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Walker via first round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Menifield via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Menifield: 2
Staff picking Walker: 1
Jean Silva -500
Vs.
Melsik Baghdasaryan +380
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Silva via second round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Silva via Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Baghdasaryan via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Silva: 2
Staff picking Baghdasaryan: 1
Jean Matsumoto -162
Vs.
Rob Font +136
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Font via unanimous decision
Hank Strandberg: Font via unanimous decision
Drew Zuhosky: Font via first round Knockout
Staff picking Matsumoto: 0
Staff picking Font: 3
Anthony Hernandez -340
Vs.
Brendan Allen +270
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Hernandez via third round Technical Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Hernandez via unanimous decision
Drew Zuhosky: Allen via unanimous decision
Staff picking Hernandez: 2
Staff picking Allen: 1
Song Yadong -258
Vs.
Henry Cejudo +210
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Yadong via unanimous decision
Hank Strandberg: Yadong via unanimous decision
Drew Zuhosky: Yadong via unanimous decision
Staff picking Yadong: 3
Staff picking Cejudo: 0