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Song Yadong calls knocking out Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Shanghai ‘the best moment of my life’

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3 weeks ago

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Song Yadong calls knocking out Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Shanghai ‘the best moment of my life’

Song Yadong is riding high.

On Saturday, Song scored the biggest win of his career, knocking out Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC Shanghai. Not only was it a huge upset win for Song, but it also put him right back into the title mix at 135 pounds, and it all happened in his home country. So afterward, “The Kung Fu Kid†was understandably ecstatic about the win.

“Amazing. I'm feeling amazing,†Song told UFC on Paramount+. “I feel like this is the best moment in my life, right now. I knocked out Umar. Everybody's saying he's the best fighter and he has very good grappling. Everyone's saying he's a future champion. See what happened? I knocked him out. I'm so proud of myself.â€

Song was a massive underdog heading into the fight, with many believing Nurmagomedov was the next bantamweight champion. However, Song stymied Nurmagomedov's grappling game in the first round, and in the second round, flattened the Russian fighter with an uppercut timed perfectly when Nurmagomedov changed levels for another takedown. Song said this was the plan from the beginning.

“Here I want to thank my team, Team Alpha Male, and Rudy Hernandez,†Song said. “Rudy is my boxing coach, and he told me before the fight, ‘You can finish this guy with an uppercut.' There was an uppercut in my mind I'm looking for. There! [Laughs].â€

The win makes it two in a row for Song since losing a decision to Sean O'Malley in January, and puts him on the shortlist for the next bantamweight title shot. Champion Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili are set to settle their rivalry with a trilogy bout at UFC 333 in October, with O'Malley potentially waiting in the wings for the winner. Song now seems to be next in line, meaning he could get another crack at Yan, who won a decision over him in 2024, and Song would love that.

“I like a rematch with Petr, because we fought back two years ago,†Song said. “I was too young; I was too rushed. But I feel like [I lost by] just a little bit. I can win that fight. So, if a rematch, I can also knock him out, I believe.â€

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MMA

Jon Jones’ reaction says it all after Gable Steveson’s 12-second KO loss

Published

40 minutes ago

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September 20, 2026

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Jon Jones’ reaction says it all after Gable Steveson’s 12-second KO loss
Jon
Jones had a clear view of one of the biggest upsets in
Ultimate Fighting Championship history.

His protégé, Gable
Steveson, suffered the first loss of his professional mixed
martial arts career at UFC
331, with Sean Sharaf
recording a 12-second knockout at Crypto.com Arena in Los
Angeles.

Sean Sharaf hands Gable Steveson his first MMA loss in stunning
UFC 331 upset

Heavy betting favorite Steveson entered the matchup unbeaten at
4-0, while Sharaf was 0-2 in the UFC. The latter uncorked a left
hook early in the fight, putting the former to sleep. Steveson's
mentor, Jones, watched on and his reaction to the knockout is
circulating online.

The former two-division UFC champion seemingly said, “Oh, my God!â€
while looking at his fellow cornermen.

Steveson dismissed Sharaf as a threat in the lead-up to the fight,
relegating him to just a stepping stone towards his championship
aspirations. “The Smoke†even provoked the polarizing Olympian at
the pre-fight presser, bringing up past controversies that have
turned many against him.

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MMA

UFC 331: 'Van vs. Pantoja 2' Live Results and Highlights

Published

9 hours ago

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September 20, 2026

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UFC 331: 'Van vs. Pantoja 2' Live Results and Highlights
Trending:

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The Octagon returns to Los Angeles for tonight's UFC 331 event, a 12-bout fight card headlined by Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2.

Van and Pantoja originally collided at UFC 323 in December of last year, where ‘The Fearless' walked away with the promotion's coveted men's flyweight title after ‘The Cannibal' suffered a nasty arm injury the rendered him unable to continue (see that here).

Joshua Van (17-2 MMA) has since successfully defended the 125lbs strap, this after earning a fifth-round TKO victory over Japanese standout Tatsuro Taira. The 24-year-old will enter tonight's rematch sporting a seven-fight winning streak.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Pantoja (30-6 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since suffering the aforementioned arm injury against Van at UFC 323. Prior to that setback, ‘The Cannibal' was riding a seven-fight winning streak, a stretch which included four successful title defenses over the likes of Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France.

UFC 331 is co-headlined by a highly anticipated lightweight bout featuring Arman Tsarukyan taking on Maurício Ruffy.

(via Zuffa LLC)

Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA) will enter the contest on a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent Octagon victory coming against Dan Hooker via second-round submission in November of 2025. Prior to that triumph, ‘Batman' had earned a split decision win over current BMF title holder Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.

Meanwhile, Maurício Ruffy (14-2 MMA) was most previously seen in action at June's UFC Freedom 250 event, where he scored an impressive first-round TKO win over former lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler. The hard-hitting Brazilian has gone 4-1 over his past five fights, with his lone setback in that time coming against Benoit Saint Denis by way of submission.

If that wasn't enough to get you interested, tonight's UFC 331 main card lineup also features a featherweight matchup between Patrício Pitbull and Doo Ho Choi.

Pitbull (37-9 MMA) will enter the bout looking to rebound, this after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Aaron Pico at April's UFC 327 event. Prior to that setback, the former Bellator champion was coming off a unanimous decision victory over Dan Ige.

Meanwhile, Doo Ho Choi (17-4-1 MMA) currently boasts a three-fight winning streak, this after scoring TKO victories over Bill Algeo, Nate Landwehr and Daniel Santos. Prior to those impressive finishes, the Korean standout had fought Kyle Nelson to a majority draw.

Get all of tonight's live results and highlights below (refresh for updates):

UFC 331 Main Card (Paramount+, 9 p.m. ET)

Joshua Van (125) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (125) – Van def. Pantoja by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–47, 50–45)

Arman Tsarukyan (156) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (155) – Tsarukyan def. Ruffy via KO (elbow) at 4:57 of Round 1

Patricio Pitbull (145.5) vs. Doo Ho Choi (146) – Pitbull def. Choi via KO (punches) at 3:28 of Round 1

Gable Steveson (240) vs. Sean Sharaf (241) – Sharaf def. Steveson via KO (punch) at 0:12 of Round 1

Alonzo Menifield (205.5) vs. Iwo Baraniewski (206) – Menifield def. Baraniewski by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

UFC 331 Prelims (Paramount+, 7 p.m. ET)

Marlon Vera (136) vs. Charles Jourdain (135) – Vera def. Jourdain via TKO at 2:02 of Round 3

Tai Tuivasa (264.5) vs. Robelis Despaigne (263) – Despaigne def. Tuivasa by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Michael Aswell (146) vs. Joo Sang Yoo (145.5) – Aswell def. Yoo by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Ryan Gandra (186) vs. Ozzy Diaz (186) – Gandra def. Diaz via TKO (punches) at 2:04 of Round 1

UFC 331 Early Prelims (Paramount+, 5:30 p.m. ET)

Edmen Shahbazyan (185) vs. Brunno Ferreira (184.5) – Shahbazyan def. Ferreira by unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

Casey O'Neill (125) vs. Eduarda Moura (125.5) – O'Neil def. Moura via submission (armbar) at 3:22 of Round 1

Giga Chikadze (146) vs. Joanderson Brito (145.5) – Brito def. Chikadze via KO (punches) at 1:57 of Round 1

Who are you picking to win tonight's flyweight title fight rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja? Share your predictions in the comment section Penn Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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MMA

UFC 331 Results: Joshua Van defeats Alexandre Pantoja (Highlights)

Published

9 hours ago

on

September 20, 2026

By

UFC 331 Results: Joshua Van defeats Alexandre Pantoja (Highlights)
Trending:

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We have you covered for all of tonight's UFC 331 results, including the men's flyweight title fight rematch between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja.

Van and Pantoja originally collided at UFC 323 in December of last year, where ‘The Fearless' walked away with the promotion's coveted men's flyweight title after ‘The Cannibal' suffered a nasty arm injury the rendered him unable to continue (see that here).

Joshua Van (17-2 MMA) has since successfully defended the 125lbs strap, this after earning a fifth-round TKO victory over Japanese standout Tatsuro Taira. The 24-year-old will enter tonight's rematch sporting a seven-fight winning streak.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Pantoja (30-6 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since suffering the aforementioned arm injury against Van at UFC 323. Prior to that setback, ‘The Cannibal' was riding a seven-fight winning streak, a stretch which included four successful title defenses over the likes of Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France.

Round one of the UFC 331 main event begins and Alexandre Pantoja gets Joshua Van down to the canvas within the first ten seconds. He begins working from full guard position. He quickly moves to full mount and has the champ flattened out. Van looking to land some shots from off his back, but he'd be better off attempting to scramble from this position. Pantoja moves to the back. He lands some big shots, but Van is able to slip outside and then land in top position. That was impressive, especially against ‘The Cannibal'. The Brazilian with a big combination. Now a huge knee to the body. And another. He looks for a trip takedown, but it is not there. The flyweight standouts both land jabs. Joshua Van with an uppercut. Alexandre Pantoja answers with another good knee to the body and then a pair of calf kicks. Van with a combination now. He lands a good left. Now an elbow from the champ. That appeared to stun Pantoja. Still, the former champ is able to get inside and land a takedown. He lands in full mount. Van scrambles and gets back to his feet. He lands a left hook before the buzzer.

Round two of the UFC 331 main event begins and Alexandre Pantoja comes forward quickly and lands a combination. Now a big knee. Joshua Van answers with a combination. The fighters trade in the pocket. Van slips and glances Pantoja with a shot. The cut causes a stoppage in the action and now the doctor is coming in to see how bad the injury is. We restart and Alexandre Pantoja is right back on the gas. He forces the clinch and pushes Van against the cage. Still four minutes left in this round. Pantoja with a takedown attempt, but he can't get it. He breaks off the cage and lands two low kicks. Van with a nice combination in return. Now a jab and then a low kick from the Brazilian. Alexandre Pantoja eats a hard jab. Now a low kick and then one to the body by Joshua Van. The fighters trade in the pocket. Pantoja shoots in and then opts to throw Van to the side. Good left hands from Van. Pantoja with a jab. He's leaking bad. He tries a trip takedown. Van avoids and is able to land on top. He opts to let ‘The Cannibal' back to his feet. Joshua Van with a big right. Pantoja with a takedown. He takes the back of the champ. Ten seconds remain. Alexandre looking for the choke but the horn sounds.

Round three of the UFC 331 headliner begins and Joshua Van lands a pair of hard jabs to start. Alexandre Pantoja with an inside low kick. Now a front kick and then a big knee. Van just eats it and seems to be just fine. He rips a hook to the body of the Brazilian. Pantoja with a low kick, but Van lands another solid right over the top. Both men are landing clean shots. Back and forth action this round. Pantoja gets inside and scores a big takedown with ninety seconds remaining. Some short shots from the former champ. Van scrambles back up. 25-seconds remain. Van with a big right and another. Pantoja says bring it on and lands a right of his own. This is a great fight. We head to round four.

Round four of the UFC 331 headliner begins and Alexandre Pantoja lands a hard body kick to start. He lands a good right now. Joshua Van answers with a left hook and then a nice right up the middle. Another right from the champ. Pantoja shoots in and scores a takedown. He needs to get off some offense from this position. He's in side control. Van gets back to full guard. We hit the halfway point of the round. He continues to keep Joshua Van grounded. This has been a big round for the former champ in terms of control and recovery. 70 seconds remain. Van attempts a heel hook. Alexandre Pantoja escapes and reestablishes top control. We head to one final round.

The fifth and final round of the UFC 331 main event begins and Joshua Van comes forward aggressively. Alexandre Pantoja keeps him at bay with three straight kicks. He lands another two. Van counters with a nice right hand. The fighters trade in the pocket. Van with a jab. Pantoja with a low kick. A nice right hook from Van. Now a big combination. Pantoja with a body kick. He lands another after missing with a left hook. A big right hand and now a left hook from the champ. Midway through the round now. Van rocks Pantoja. He's down. Van jumps on him. He looks for a kimura. Pantoja gets up but he's a mess. Joshua Van with a takedown. He's on top and working some shots. Alexandre Pantoja gets up and unloads some final punches but he's likely going to be on the wrong end of the judges' scorecards here. Great fight!

Official UFC 331 Results: Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–47, 50–45)

Who would you like to see Van fight next following his victory over Pantoja this evening in Los Angeles? Share your thoughts in the comment section Penn Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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