RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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UFC Shanghai puts the spotlight on the bantamweight division this Saturday with a notable contender matchup between Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong.
China's Song, who’s become a prominent star in his home country, is no stranger to UFC main events. The fight will be Song's sixth main event in the promotion and his second straight in China after a guillotine choke submission of former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in March. His opponent, Nurmagomedov, is coincidentally also coming off a win over Figueiredo, having beat the Brazilian in January to get back on a win streak. UFC Shanghai is only Nurmagomedov's second UFC main event.
UFC’s return to China is largely what you'd expect out of these appearances: Fight Nights loaded with Asian flair, varying in quality. However, this time, we get a pretty solid offering with some returning names that make UFC Shanghai a likely great night of action.
👑 UFC Shanghai's lineup Crown grade: C. 👑
Umar Nurmagomedov doesn't mean business; he is business. Chris Unger via Getty Images
135 pounds: Umar Nurmagomedov (-550) vs. Song Yadong (+400)
Song has entered a very unique position in the bantamweight division. He's almost become a perennial contender, and his speed of success has hampered his progression. It feels like the "Kung Fu Kid" has plateaued, despite still being just 28 and having a wealth of experience. I mean, the guy has 34 fights under his belt and has already battled it out with several former champions and title challengers. He's always going to be in that mix, but it's just a question of whether or not he can get over the hump.
Flashes of brilliance are evident in Song's game, highlighted by his wicked quick striking ability and versatile combinations. The problem is that he's rather one-dimensional in his creativity and doesn't mix up his game enough to outwork all the elite competitors at 135 pounds, who are essentially the only people he loses to. Outside of a Kyler Phillips shocker, Song has only lost to Petr Yan, Sean O'Malley and Cory Sandhagen in the UFC. Not a bad list of names right there.
So where does that leave Nurmagomedov? Well, coincidentally, in somewhat of a similar boat. Nurmagomedov's last three wins are easily his most impressive in terms of the quality of competition. Wins over Sandhagen, Mario Bautista and the aforementioned Figueiredo all proved that Nurmagomedov is still a feared potential future champion, only having fallen short to Merab Dvalishvili in 21 fights.
Grappling is a strength of Nurmagomedov's, as it is with the rest of his family and team. But his striking is arguably his best attribute, making him a fierce challenge for anyone and an awful matchup for Song. Nurmagomedov possesses all the creativity Song requires to take that next step.
The speed and power may slightly lean in Song's favor, giving him a better chance than the oddsmakers suggest. But realistically, this fight should look similar to Song's loss against Yan – a fight where he was outsmarted by Yan's versatility down the stretch. Nurmagomedov just has a more diversely dangerous skill set, and won't be worked the way Dvalishvili famously did to him.
Pick: Nurmagomedov
115 pounds: Yan Xiaonan (-150) vs. Denise Gomes (+125)
Yan Xiaonan seemingly fell off the face of the planet after her unanimous decision defeat to Virna Jandiroba in April 2025. She hasn't fought since and returns to try and make one last push toward her goal of becoming the second-ever Chinese UFC champion.
Despite her age and layoff, Yan, 37, remains one of the division's best strikers. Her patented sidekick is a great range finder and distance keeper. Rush at her, and you're open to big counter hooks that have sent the likes of Jessica Andrade spiraling.
This is a big step up for the surging Denise Gomes, who rides a four-fight win streak into this matchup. Gomes is 11 years younger than Yan, showing some inexperience while still holding some good wins over veterans like Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Tecia Pennington (FKA Torres).
Power and physicality will be important for Gomes to impose in this fight, as Yan has only suffered defeats when getting bullied. In enemy territory, she'll also have to avoid letting the moment get to her.
Gomes very well could be a future — or current mainstay — atop the strawweight ranks. It just won't come without a great learning lesson in the form of a loss to Yan.
Pick: Yan
135 pounds: Aoriqileng (+350) vs. Kai Asakura (-450)
The last time Kai Asakura was in China, he reminded doubters that he is indeed "that dude."
The former two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion started off his UFC run on the wrong foot at flyweight, going 0-2 before his vicious first-round knockout of Cameron Smotherman in March. It was the Asakura the world expected to see on the grandest stage. And what do you know, no more wild weight cut only aided his performance.
As fun as Aoriqileng has been in his UFC career so far, he's the perfect foil for Asakura to deliver another highlight-reel knockout. So this matchmaking, like Smotherman, is entirely by design, as the UFC does its best to repair the image of the biggest Japanese star on the roster.
Aoriqileng has been in wars aplenty and taken tons of damage, but his last fight is particularly concerning here. Cody Haddon scored a great finish on him via knees to the body, which in recent years have become a devastating tool in Asakura's arsenal. Power, precision, and speed all heavily favor Asakura.
As long as it stays standing, expect another big finish.
Pick: Asakura
Su Mudaerji is always a must-see fighter at flyweight. Jeff Bottari via Getty Images
125 pounds: Su Mudaerji (-225) vs. Alex Perez (+185)
Same country, new date. Su Mudaerji and Alex Perez are running things in China.
It's kind of wild that it's worked out this way for these t...
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