TLDR
- Song Yadong faces Umar Nurmagomedov in UFC Shanghai main event on Saturday, August 29
- Song went shirtless during media day faceoff, dividing UFC fans on social media
- Song believes victory will earn him a bantamweight title shot
- Nurmagomedov clarified earlier ‘punching bag’ comments about Song, saying he expected Song to beat O’Malley
- Nurmagomedov is ranked No. 2 at bantamweight while Song is ranked No. 6
Sources: ufc.com | mmajunkie.usatoday.com | mmamania.com | fightersonly.com
Song Yadong and Umar Nurmagomedov came face-to-face on Wednesday during UFC Shanghai media day ahead of their bantamweight main event scheduled for Saturday, August 29. The fight takes place at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center and streams live on Paramount+ starting at 6 a.m. ET.
Song removed his shirt during the staredown with Nurmagomedov, creating debate among UFC fans on social media. Some fans called the move “stupid” while others described it as a “warning” to his opponent.
The Chinese fighter spoke confidently about his chances at UFC Shanghai media day. “This is a big opportunity for me,” Song said. “If I win this fight, I will get a title shot.”
Rankings and Recent Form
Nurmagomedov enters the fight ranked No. 2 in the bantamweight division, while Song holds the No. 6 spot. The 30-year-old Nurmagomedov has won his last two fights against Mario Bautista at UFC 321 and Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 324.
Song, 28, last fought in May at UFC Macau where he submitted Figueiredo. His record now stands at 23-9-1 with one no contest, though he has gone 4-3 over his last seven fights dating back to late 2022.
Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong just faced off for the first time 👀 #UFCShanghai pic.twitter.com/mi049ZHaew
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 25, 2026
Nurmagomedov Walks Back Earlier Comments
Nurmagomedov recently clarified comments he made about Song’s performance against Sean O’Malley at UFC 324 in January. In an earlier interview, Nurmagomedov had called Song a “punching bag” during that fight.
When asked about cardio being a factor in their upcoming fight, Nurmagomedov changed his tone. “I don’t think he has bad cardio,” Nurmagomedov said. “He’s always fighting. He has other fights. You know, like five rounds, and he did very well.”
The Russian fighter revealed he was actually rooting for Song in the O’Malley fight. “I think I was expecting he was gonna beat this guy,” Nurmagomedov said. “That’s why I was a little bit mad, you know? I was rooting for him.”
Nurmagomedov suggested the UFC may have favored O’Malley in that bout. “And when even that fight was close, you know? But they like, more than Song, they like Sean O’Malley,” he said.
The winner of Saturday’s main event is expected to move closer to a bantamweight title opportunity. Nurmagomedov’s only career loss came against current champion Merab Dvalishvili.
UFC Fight Night 286 also features a strawweight bout between Yan Xiaonan and Denise Homes, plus flyweight matchups including Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura and Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji. Jack Jenkins faces Sean Woodson in a featured featherweight contest.
The event marks the UFC’s return to China and takes place at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center on Saturday morning.
