'I always wanted to fight Dominick Cruz': UFC Seattle headliner Song Yadong reacts to former champ's retirement

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Song Yadong grew up watching Dominick Cruz compete and become one of the greatest bantamweights of all-time, and hoped that one day he could fight the multi-time world champion. Unfortunately, that goal is off the table.

Song is set to face another former world champion in Henry Cejudo in the main event of Saturday's UFC Seattle card. Cruz was also scheduled to compete on the card against Rob Font, but after suffering a shoulder injury, Cruz was scratched from the bout, before subsequently announcing his retirement from the sport.

Of course, Cruz is well known for his long-standing rivalry with Song's mentor and coach Urijah Faber, and with all the respect the 27-year-old has for Cruz, he was hoping to one day share the octagon with him.

"I always wanted to fight Dominick Cruz," Song told MMA Fighting. "When I was younger, I watched his fights all the time. I loved [watching him so much. I like his style, but I feel so bad he retired."

Cruz was overwhelmed by injuries over his storied career, but ended up being a two-time UFC bantamweight champ. In just his second octagon appearance in nearly five years, Cruz defeated T.J. Dillashaw in the main event of UFC Fight Night 81 in January 2016 to regain the title. He would go on to defend the belt against Faber at UFC 199 before losing the title to Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207 in December 2016

The 39-year-old came back from another multi-year layoff to get another crack at the belt, but was stopped by Cejudo at UFC 249 in May 2020. "The Dominator" won two of his final three fights, but his final bout ended with a head-kick knockout loss to Marlon Vera at UFC San Diego in August 2022.

While Cruz has headlined, or co-headlined multiple events with high stakes in front of large crowds throughout his career, Song is excited to get his chance to compete in front of a large audience, and in a main event spot against the former two-division champion.

"Yeah, this a real main event for me with [a] crowd," Song said. "I had [other main events] but it was all at the APEX without a crowd."