Two Fighters Earn Fight Card High $320,000

The UFC Seattle fight card took place on Saturday, February 22 at Climate Pledge Arena. In the bantamweight main event, Song Yadong defeated former two-division champion Henry Cejudo via technical decision after an eye poke left Cejudo unable to continue. Song earned a fight card high $320,000 for his victory. In the evening’s middleweight co-main event, Anthony Hernandez earned a decision victory over Brendan Allen. Allen took home the third highest payout in Seattle at $210,000. Rob Font also earned $320,000 for his main card win over Jean Matsumoto. Forbes received the official UFC Seattle fight card payouts via a FOIA request from the Washington Department of Licensing.

UFC Seattle Full Fighter Payouts

Song Yadong: $320,000

Henry Cejudo: $150,000

Anthony Hernandez: $144,000

Brendan Allen: $210,000

Rob Font: $320,000

Jean Matsumoto: $26,000

Jean Silva: $90,000

Melsik Baghdasaryan: $35,000

Alonzo Menifield: $240,000

Julius Walker: $12,000

Ion Cutelaba: $190,000

İbo Aslan: $35,000

Melquizael Costa: $48,000

Andre Fili: $110,000

Mansur Abdul-Malik: $24,000

Nick Klein: $10,000

Ricky Simon: $160,000

Javid Basharat : $30,000

Austin Vanderford: $30,000

Nikolay Veretennikov: $12,000

Nursulton Ruziboev: $74,000

Eric McConico: $12,000

Modestas Bukauskas: $96,000

Raffael Cerqueira: $10,000

*Information provided also indicated that medical fees, licensing fees, airfare, overpay for per diem and foreign tax withholding were deducted from the gross purse of several fighters.

**Payout information does not include any discretionary bonuses paid by the UFC or any outfitting policy payouts.

UFC Seattle Main Event: Song Yadong Vs. Henry Cejudo

Heading into the UFC Seattle main event, Song Yadong was the betting favorite over Cejudo. The 27-year-old Song was a faster and more effective striker than his 38-year-old opponent throughout the fight. While Cejudo looked to use movement to get his opponent to commit to feints, Song remained focused while throwing and landing more strikes than his opponent while at the same time thwarting the three takedowns Cejudo, a former Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, attempted.

An eye poke late in the third round paused the contest for the full five minutes Cejudo was allotted to recover from the foul. Cejudo continued after that, but he went to his corner and said he could not see. At that point, the referee, Jason Herzog, waved off the contest. Since the fighters had completed three rounds, the fight went to the scorecards, where Song was awarded the 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 victory.

With the win, Song bounced back from a March 2024 decision loss to former UFC champion Petr Yan, while Cejudo fell to 0-3 dating back to his return from retirement in May 2023.

UFC Seattle Co-Main Event: Brendan Allen Vs. Anthony Hernandez

In the co-main event of the UFC Seattle card, Brendan Allen entered as the No. 9 ranked UFC middleweight, while Hernandez came in ranked at No. 12. Allen was on a 7-1 run at the time, while Hernandez brought a six-fight winning streak with him.

Allen and Hernandez engaged in a spirited three-round scrap, with both men having their moments to shine on the mat, where they put together impressive scrambles, submission attempts, and some substantial ground strikes.

After two back-and-forth rounds, the relentless Hernandez showed the heart and drive that put him on his winning streak. He dug deep in the final stanza and outworked his opponent for the unanimous decision win. (29-28 x3).

With the win, Hernandez moved to No. 9 in the division. Allen dropped to No. 10 following his second straight setback.

UFC Seattle Results:

Song Yadong def. Henry Cejudo Technical Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 30–27)

Anthony Hernandez def. Brendan Allen via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)

Rob Font def. Jean Matsumoto via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28)

Jean Silva def. Melsik Baghdasaryan via TKO at 4:15 of Round 1 (Punch to head at distance)

Alonzo Menifield def. Julius Walker Decision via split decision (29–28, 30–27, 28–29)

Ion Cuțelaba def. İbo Aslan via submission at 2:51 of Round 1 (Arm triangle from side control)

Melquizael Costa def. Andre Fili via submission at 4:30 of Round 1 (Guillotine choke from bottom half guard)

Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Nick Klein via TKO at 3:24 of Round 2 (Punches to head in clinch)

Ricky Simón def. Javid Basharat via knockout at 3:58 of Round 1 (Punch to head at distance)

Austin Vanderford def. Nikolay Veretennikov via TKO at 4:13 of Round 2 (Punches to head on ground)

Nursulton Ruziboev def. Eric McConico via TKO at 0:33 of Round 2 (Punch to head at distance)

Modestas Bukauskas def. Raffael Cerqueira via knockout at 2:12 of Round 1 (Punches to head at distance)

UFC Seattle took place at Climate Pledge Arena. The entire fight card was broadcast on ESPN+.