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UFC Shanghai – The UFC returns to Shanghai on Saturday with a bantamweight main event that brings together two very different fighters. No. 2 ranked contender Umar Nurmagomedov will face No. 6 ranked Song Yadong in a five round contest at the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center.
For Nurmagomedov, the fight represents another opportunity to move toward the UFC bantamweight championship. For Song, it is a chance to defeat one of the division’s most highly regarded contenders and potentially position himself for a title opportunity of his own.
Nurmagomedov enters the UFC Shanghai contest with a 20 and 1 professional record and an 8 and 1 record inside the UFC. His only UFC defeat came against former champion Merab Dvalishvili in 2025. He has since returned with consecutive victories over Mario Bautista and Deiveson Figueiredo.
Song brings a 23 and 9 and 1 record into the fight and is coming off a submission victory over Figueiredo at UFC Macau. The result was significant because it showed another dimension to a fighter who has built much of his reputation around his striking.
Nurmagomedov wants to take the fight to the mat
Nurmagomedov’s greatest advantage is his ability to dictate where the fight takes place.
The Dagestani contender combines fast entries with high level wrestling and grappling. Rather than simply looking for a single takedown and settling into top control, he can chain together attempts and continue attacking when his opponent initially defends.
His kicking game also helps him create openings. Nurmagomedov can work from distance before changing levels, forcing opponents to think about multiple threats at the same time. Once he gets the fight to the ground, his control and submission game become major problems.
That approach makes this matchup particularly interesting because Song has traditionally preferred to operate on his feet.
Song’s striking could change everything
Song is one of the more dangerous punchers in the bantamweight division. He has the speed to counter quickly and the power to hurt opponents when they enter recklessly.
That will be especially important against Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov cannot afford to repeatedly shoot from predictable distances because Song has the timing and accuracy to make him pay. A clean counter during a takedown attempt could dramatically change the fight.
Song also needs to make Nurmagomedov work whenever the Russian gets close. If he can maintain his balance, defend the first takedown and force Nurmagomedov to reset, the striking exchanges should increasingly favour him.
The five round format adds another layer to the matchup. Song cannot simply rely on surviving the early grappling exchanges. He needs to make Nurmagomedov pay for every failed entry while maintaining enough energy to remain dangerous in the championship rounds.
The biggest question is whether Song can stop the takedowns
The central tactical battle is straightforward. Can Song keep the fight standing?
If Nurmagomedov consistently gets takedowns, the fight could become a long night for the Chinese contender. Nurmagomedov averages more than four takedowns per three rounds and has repeatedly demonstrated that he can build an entire fight around his grappling advantage.
Song, however, has the tools to make the Russian hesitate.
His defensive wrestling will be tested from the opening minutes, but his best defence may also come from his offence. If Song lands enough clean strikes early, Nurmagomedov may become more cautious about entering from distance.
That creates an interesting cycle. Nurmagomedov needs to close distance without giving Song opportunities to counter, while Song needs to create enough space to use his striking without allowing Nurmagomedov to establish control.
Yan Xiaonan faces Denise Gomes
The UFC Shanghai co main event brings Chinese contender Yan Xiaonan back to action against Brazil’s Denise Gomes in a women’s strawweight contest.
Yan is ranked inside the top five and returns to China with considerable experience at the highest level, including a previous UFC title challenge. Gomes has built momentum with four consecutive victories and represents a significant opportunity for the Brazilian. A win over a highly ranked opponent would push Gomes much closer to the title picture.
Asakura looks to continue his resurgence
Kai Asakura meets Aoriqileng in another bantamweight contest. The Japanese fighter endured a difficult start to his UFC career after losing his first two appearances by submission, but he answered with a knockout victory over Cameron Smotherman.
Aoriqileng enters after a knockout loss to Cody Haddon and will look to make the most of the home environment. The matchup could produce a striking battle, particularly if Aoriqileng can prevent Asakura from controlling the range.
Perez and Sumudaerji meet again
Alex Perez and Sumudaerji will attempt to settle unfinished business at flyweight. Their previous meeting at UFC Macau ended in the second round after Sumudaerji accidentally landed a low blow that prevented Perez from continuing.
Three months later, the two fighters meet again, with the rematch carrying importance for their positions in the 125 pound division.
Two UFC debuts complete the main card
Bilal Hasan makes his UFC debut against undefeated Peruvian prospect Nilson Rojas. Hasan enters at 9 and 0 with one no contest and earned his UFC contract after stopping Mridul Saikia in just 45 seconds on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Rojas is also undefeated at 9 and 0, giving the matchup an intriguing prospect versus prospect dynamic.
The main card also features Liu Ce against Levi Rodrigues Jr. at light heavyweight. Both fighters weighed 206 pounds for the contest.
Seven fights open the preliminary card at UFC Shanghai
The preliminary card adds seven more matchups. Namsrai Batbayar faces Andre Lima, although Lima missed weight at 127 pounds and the fight will proceed at catchweight, with Lima forfeiting 20 percent of his purse.
Rei Tsuruya meets Kevin Borjas, while Jack Jenkins faces Sean Woodson in a featherweight contest. Xiao Long takes on Francesco Nuzzi at bantamweight, and Lawrence Lui meets Hector Santiago.
Xiong Jingnan faces Julia Polastri, with both fighters missing weight. Their contest will therefore proceed at catchweight.
The opening preliminary bout features Ding Meng against Canadian prospect Cam Nelson. Nelson enters his UFC debut with a 7 and 1 professional record and five stoppage victories, while Ding owns a 35 and 10 record with 30 finishes.
UFC Shanghai Full Fight Card
Main Card
- Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong – Bantamweight – Main Event
- Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes – Women’s Strawweight – Co Main Event
- Kai Asakura vs. Aoriqileng – Bantamweight
- Sumudaerji vs. Alex Perez – Flyweight
- Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr. – Light Heavyweight
- Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas – Flyweight
Preliminary Card
- Namsrai Batbayar vs. Andre Lima – Flyweight
- Rei Tsuruya vs. Kevin Borjas – Flyweight
- Jack Jenkins vs. Sean Woodson – Featherweight
- Xiao Long vs. Francesco Nuzzi – Bantamweight
- Lawrence Lui vs. Hector Santiago – Welterweight
- Xiong Jingnan vs. Julia Polastri – Women’s Strawweight
- Ding Meng vs. Cam Nelson – Welterweight
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