TLDR
- Umar Nurmagomedov was knocked out by Song Yadong with an uppercut while attempting a takedown
- Khamzat Chimaev says he will not change his wrestling-heavy fighting style despite the knockout
- Chimaev trains takedowns daily and plans to continue using them in competition
- The fighter believes fluky knockouts can happen to anyone but is confident in his approach
- Nurmagomedov’s record now stands at 20-2 after suffering only his second career loss
Sources: yardbarker.com
Khamzat Chimaev says he will not change his wrestling-heavy fighting style after watching fellow Dagestani fighter Umar Nurmagomedov get knocked out cold while attempting a takedown.
Nurmagomedov entered his fight against Song Yadong as a heavy favorite but suffered a devastating loss. Song landed a perfectly timed uppercut as Nurmagomedov shot for a takedown, knocking the Dagestani fighter unconscious.
The finish has sparked discussion in the MMA community about whether grapplers should reconsider their approach when facing powerful strikers. Some fighters and analysts questioned if the risk of getting caught with a counter strike makes takedown attempts too dangerous.
Chimaev Defends Wrestling Approach
Chimaev told Red Corner MMA that he sees no reason to abandon the wrestling game that has brought him success throughout his career. The Chechen middleweight contender trains takedowns every day and plans to continue using them in competition.
“Unfortunately, Umar lost, but I believe he will be back stronger,” Chimaev said, according to Sherdog. “He is a guy with vast experience who’s been doing his thing since he was a kid.”
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WOODLEY IS NOWHERE NEAR KHAMZAT’S LEVEL ON THE MAT ðŸ˜ðŸ’€#RAFMOSCOW 🔹 pic.twitter.com/jRcrqFo5Gn
— FightLuck (@FightluckBet) September 5, 2026
Chimaev expressed confidence that he would not suffer a similar fate. “But as for myself, being knocked down or KO’d, I can’t foresee it. I will keep doing my job,” he explained.
The fighter pointed to his daily training routine as justification for maintaining his strategy. “I drill takedowns every day in the gym, so why shouldn’t I do the same in the Octagon?” Chimaev asked.
Fluky Knockouts Part of the Game
Chimaev acknowledged that unexpected knockouts can happen to any fighter in mixed martial arts. He does not view Nurmagomedov’s loss as evidence that grapplers need to fundamentally change their approach.
The middleweight contender admitted the sport contains unpredictable elements but remains confident in his grappling-first strategy. He believes his daily preparation and experience make him ready to handle the risks that come with shooting for takedowns.
Nurmagomedov’s record now stands at 20-2 following the upset loss to Song. The defeat was only the second of his professional career and his first knockout loss.
Chimaev has built his reputation on an aggressive wrestling style that has overwhelmed most of his opponents. He has finished the majority of his UFC fights by submission or ground-and-pound strikes after securing takedowns.
The fighter’s comments suggest he views Nurmagomedov’s knockout as an unfortunate outcome rather than a cautionary tale. Chimaev plans to continue drilling takedowns in training and using them as his primary weapon when he returns to the Octagon.
