Song Yadong KOs Umar Nurmagomedov in 1:48 of Round 2 at UFC Shanghai

Song Yadong improved to 24-9-1 (1 NC) by knocking out Umar Nurmagomedov with a short right hand in the second round of their bantamweight main event.

Song Yadong (24-9-1, 1 NC) secured the most significant victory of his career on Saturday, defeating Umar Nurmagomedov via knockout at 1 minute and 48 seconds of the second round. Entering the men's bantamweight main event at UFC Fight Night in Shanghai as a nearly 5-to-1 underdog at DraftKings Sportsbook, the Chinese fighter floored his opponent with a short right hand. The referee waved off the contest after Yadong landed three additional finishing shots on the canvas, handing Nurmagomedov his second career loss (20-2).

Key details

The decisive sequence began when Nurmagomedov, a former title challenger, ducked to avoid a left hand. This movement placed him directly in the trajectory of Yadong’s short right hand, which connected near the right ear and caused the Russian fighter to fall limply to the mat. The victory marks Yadong’s second consecutive win by finish in his home country and his first knockout since 2023. This specific strike ended the scheduled five-round main event prematurely, sending the local crowd into a frenzy as the underdog defied the betting lines.

Immediately following the stoppage, Yadong sprinted around the Octagon in celebration. During this lap, he nearly collided with Usman Nurmagomedov, the PFL lightweight champion and younger brother of Umar, who had entered the cage to attend to his sibling. Usman Nurmagomedov appeared to throw an elbow toward Yadong as the winner ran past him. Undeterred, Yadong climbed to the top of the cage to acknowledge the Shanghai crowd before jumping down to the floor to receive hugs and high fives from fans at ringside. Security personnel quickly intervened to ensure the post-fight tension did not escalate into a physical altercation between the two camps.

This event served as a homecoming for the Sacramento-based fighter, who debuted in the UFC at age 19 in 2017. Returning to Shanghai for the first time since that debut, Yadong expressed his long-term ambitions through an interpreter, stating his intent to become the first male Chinese UFC champion. He noted this distinction as a reference to Zhang Weili, the two-time women’s strawweight champion. The 26-year-old veteran has now spent seven years under the promotional banner, accumulating a wealth of experience that culminated in this high-stakes performance against a top-ranked contender.

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During his post-fight interview, Yadong credited his coaching staff for the result, noting that his team predicted a knockout victory. "I believe in myself and my team believed that I would win this fight," Yadong said. He reflected on his nine-year journey, contrasting his initial goal of simply entering the Octagon with his current objective of proving he is the best fighter in the world. The Chinese star emphasized that his preparation focused specifically on counter-striking, a strategy that paid dividends when he caught Nurmagomedov leaning into the power shot.

After addressing the crowd in his native language, Yadong switched to English to demand a title shot from UFC officials. The win solidifies his standing in the bantamweight division following his second straight appearance in China. Nurmagomedov, who previously challenged for the title, saw his momentum halted by the precise striking of the 26-year-old veteran. The official result stands as a KO at the 1:48 mark of Round 2, ending the night for the Russian athlete who had previously been considered one of the most avoided fighters in the 135-pound weight class.

Statistically, the bout was competitive until the final blow, with both athletes trading leg kicks and probing jabs in the opening five minutes. Yadong’s ability to maintain distance prevented Nurmagomedov from successfully implementing his renowned wrestling game, forcing a stand-up battle that favored the power of the "Kung Fu Kid." By the time the second frame commenced, Yadong had found his rhythm, timing his opponent's entries with increasing accuracy. This tactical discipline allowed him to capitalize on the single defensive lapse that led to the canvas-shaking right hand. The victory not only improves his professional record but also positions him as a primary candidate for a top-five opponent in his next outing.