This is the live blog for Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong, the bantamweight main event for Saturday's UFC Shanghai card at the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China.
MMA
UFC Shanghai live blog: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong
Published
1 month agoon
Nurmagomedov is currently No. 3 at 135 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, with Song looking to climb from the No. 7 spot.
Currently on a two-fight win streak, Nurmagomedov (20-1) looks to lock down another shot at the bantamweight title after falling short against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311. Nurmagomedov bounced back with consecutive wins over Deiveson Figueiredo and Mario Bautista, but needs another strong performance to cement himself as the challenger to the Dvalishvili vs. Yan trilogy bout taking place at UFC 333 on Oct. 24.
Song (23-9-1, 1 NC) fights to finally break into the elite tier of the 135-pound division. The Chinese standout is also coming off a win over Figueiredo, having finished the former flyweight champion via a second-round guillotine choke submission in the main event of UFC Macau this past May. Now, Song can establish himself as a fresh challenger with an upset victory Saturday night.
Check out the Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong live blog below.
Well, it's just now 8 a.m. on the East Coast, and I'll admit, I was starting to get a little tired. But then Denise Gomes slated Yan Xiaonan, and I'm back up!
It's been a tough night for the Chinese fans, as most of their fighters have not fared well. Can Song Yadong change that energy and send them home happy? Let's find out.
Song is out, and he's the picture of happiness. The man does not have a care in the world. He clearly believes he's going to shock the world.
Nurmagomedov is rocking the papakha, and he also looks unbothered by this fight. Both men feeling confident in themselves.
Nurmagomedov is two years older and has a 2-inch reach advantage. Everything else is pretty close, except the betting odds. Nurmagomedov is a -600 favorite. That's a lot.
Unsurprisingly, the crowd cheers Song and boos Nurmagomedov. They are friendly enough at the final instructions, touch gloves, and it's go time!
Nurmagomedov out in southpaw, Song in orthodox, and the crowd is LOUD right out of the gate. Song takes the center, with Nurmagomedov circling outside, looking for his spots. Nurmagomedov throws a naked low kick, and Song pops him with a straight left counter. Nurmagomedov backs out. Song lands a body kick. The first minute is mostly feeling out, and then one-off shots from each man. Song is heavily looking to counter, never leading.
Song throws a naked low kick, and Nurmagomedov INSTANTLY shoots, grabbing that single-leg and turning Song. Song tries to defend, but he's losing this race, and he dives on the guillotine choke instead. Nurmagomedov waits that out, though. He pops his head out, and now Nurmagomedov is in the guard. He passes to top half.
Song is trying to create motion from the bottom, but Nurmagomedov is smothering him. Not a lot of damage, though. And Song gets in on a deep-half guard sweep, creating a scramble! Nurmagomedov to the back, but he over-pursues and has to bail over the top as he missed his hooks. We're back to the feet.
Nurmagomedov looking comfortable on the feet, though, cracking Song with a combination as he came in. They collide again, and Song stumbles back, looks like he just sort of stumbled, not any damage.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Nurmagomedov.
Song's corner tells him he got out of position, and that's why the takedown happened. True. So he comes out and instead of throwing the low kick, he tries for the body, but Nurmagomedov cross-checks. Then Nurmagomedov shoots a double from distance, and Song sprawls.
The two collide, and Song is saying something. Looks like a headbutt in there, but everyone seems fine. There's a cut over Song's eye, but I can't see how bad it is. They're in space, with Song coming forward.
OH MY GOD!!!!!! NURMAGOMEDOV CHANGED LEVELS AND SONG TIMED A RIGHT HOOK! CAUGHT HIM CLEAN AND THAT'S THE BALL GAME!!! UMAR CRASHES TO THE CANVAS AND FOLLOW-UP SHOTS ARE NOT EVEN NEEDED, BUT SONG YADONG HAS DONE IT!!!
After the celebration, now we can see the cut on Song's eye, and it's gnarly. Deep cut on the eyelid. But that doesn't matter anymore.
Also, on the replay, that KO punch is so perfect. Nurmagomedov shoots poorly and goes right into Song's right hand. Perfectly timed and executed. Good night.
Song Yadong def. Umar Nurmagomedov via KO (punch) — 1:48, Round 2
“I want to say, who's next? Who's next?!â€
Song, through the translator, shouts out his team. Then he grabs the mic and, in English, calls for a title shot. Screams for it, really. He also says he will be the first male Chinese UFC champion.
Then he talks about his journey through the UFC thus far. Big, big win for Song.
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