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Song Yadong makes case for title fight after KO win over Umar Nurmagomedov: "I feel like I can finish everyone"

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Song Yadong makes case for title fight after KO win over Umar Nurmagomedov: "I feel like I can finish everyone"

Song Yadong reemerged as a top bantamweight contender in the aftermath of UFC Shanghai, and he's seeking a title shot.

Yadong took center stage inside SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center this past Saturday. He collided with Umar Nurmagomedov in a bantamweight clash. Prior to UFC Shanghai, Yadong hadn't finished a fight since early 2023. That changed in a big way after “The Kung Fu Kid†knocked out Nurmagomedov in the second round.

While the post-match actions of Nurmagomedov's brother and cornerman Usman Nurmagomedov has been a hot topic, Yadong wants to make sure the focus is on what truly matters. The top 135-pound contender told UFC News that it's time for him to get a crack at gold (via MMAJunkie).

“I think the UFC should give me the title shot,†Song said. “I feel like I can finish everyone. I can finish Petr, I can finish Merab. So, even the Sean fight was very close. If we rematch, I can finish him, too.â€

Yadong also said he was amped up by the home crowd, and he used that energy to help him pull off the upset win.

“I feel like the best moment in my life right now,†Song said. “I finished the best guy in our division, one of the best fighters, in front of my people. I feel amazing. I feel like this time, the easiest fight for me mentally. I feel like everyone gave me energy tonight.

“I feel ready to go. I was smiling, even when I was on bottom, I was OK because I'm so confident. It's not that crazy his wrestling. Actually I can defend, but on bottom, I can escape. One minute before the fight, Urijah (Faber) told me, ‘You're so much better than him, just believe in yourself.’â€

Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili are scheduled for a trilogy clash with the bantamweight gold at stake in the UFC 333 co-main event. While some believe that Sean O'Malley could be facing Yan if he wins the trilogy, things could sway in Yadong's favor if Dvalishvili gets the nod on Oct. 24.

Do you see Song Yadong potentially fighting the winner of Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili 3? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2, Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy live stream watch party

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UFC 331: Van vs. Pantoja 2, Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy live stream watch party

MMA Fighting has a live stream watch party for Saturday's UFC 331 event at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. In the main event, Joshua Van defends his flyweight title in a rematch against the man he won the championship from, Alexandre Pantoja in a heated rematch.

Join MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they watch the main card and more for the promotion's upcoming numbered event in the City of Angels.

In the co-main event, top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan faces knockout artist Mauricio Ruffy in a high-stakes, five-round contest.

Additionally, former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull takes on Doo Ho Choi in the featherweight featured contest, while Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson battles Sean Sharaf in a heavyweight bout.

The UFC 331 main card opens with a light heavyweight tilt between Alonzo Menifield and Iwo Baraniewski.

Watch MMA Fighting's UFC 330 live stream Watch Party beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT with the featured preliminary fight between Marlon Vera and Charles Jourdain.

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Anything but Fighting: Edmen Shahbazyan answers random questions

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Anything but Fighting: Edmen Shahbazyan answers random questions

LOS ANGELES — UFC middleweight contender Edmen Shahbazyan joins MMA Fighting's Jose Youngs on #AnythingButFighting to talk about his favorite movies, music, foods, concerts, and more.

Shahbazyan (16-6) is looking to get back into the win column against Brunno Ferreira on the preliminary card of UFC 331. “The Golden Boy†previously dropped a unanimous decision win to Brendan Allen, snapping his three-fight win streak in the process. To date, Shahbazyan holds notable wins over Andre Petroski, André Muniz, Jack Hermansson, Brad Tavares, and Jack Marshman.

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Dana White says Ciryl Gane won’t be promoted to undisputed champion: ‘He’s still got to fight’

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Dana White says Ciryl Gane won’t be promoted to undisputed champion: ‘He’s still got to fight’

Ciryl Gane is NOT the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.

On Monday, Tom Aspinall vacated his UFC heavyweight title after reinjuring his eyes in training, forcing him out of action indefinitely. As such, many expected that interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane — the man who caused Aspinall's original eye injuries when he poked him during their heavyweight title fight at UFC 321 — would be elevated to undisputed champion and then defend his belt; but not so fast.

“Does it make him the undisputed champion?†White asked when questioned about Gane. “No. He's still got to fight.â€

White added that he expects Gane's next fight, the bout for the title of undisputed champion, will be announced “very soon.â€

Ostensibly, Aspinall could face the winner of whatever that potential bout is, should he be ready to return to action by then. But White has no timeline on when that might be.

“I don't [know],†White said when asked how long Aspinall's will be out for. “Obviously, whenever he feels healthy again, whenever his eyes are healed, then we're ready for him.â€

Gane won the interim heavyweight title with a TKO win over Alex Pereira at UFC White House this summer. It was expected that Gane and Aspinall would unify their titles in a rematch this year, before Aspinall's setback ended those plans.

As for the rest of the heavyweight division, Aspinall's latest update seems to have left the UFC scrambling, with White not having a clear path forward, but saying the UFC will figure it out.

“We'll see how this whole thing plays out with Aspinall,†White said. “Ciryl will fight, and we'll see who becomes the champion. This isn't like this is the first time this has ever happened, and it's happening right now with Valentina Shevchenko, too. This is nothing new. This happens sometimes, and it's unfortunate. Not the best outcome, but it is what it is.â€

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