Umar Nurmagomedov not taking Yadong Song lightly: 'Not an easy fight'

Umar Nurmagomedov expects a difficult test when he meets Yadong Song in their upcoming main event in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Nurmagomedov is looking to extend his win streak to three straight at UFC Shanghai and the Russian is well aware of the challenge ahead of him in China’s Song.

Umar Nurmagomedov expects a difficult UFC Shanghai main event against Yadong Song
Nurmagomedov has picked up two decision wins since suffering the lone loss of his professional career to Merab Dvalishvili in their bantamweight title fight back in January last year. He’s beaten Mario Bautista and Deiveson Figueiredo via unanimous decision to return to winning form and defeating Song in the Chinese 135-pounder’s home country could put the Dagestani back in the title mix.

Nevertheless, Nurmagomedov is focused on the task at hand against a well-rounded opponent and isn’t thinking about the title.

“Of course, I'm going to be happy to do a knockout, you know, but this guy is not an easy fight,” Nurmagomedov said in a recent interview. “And I will, I will, we both, I think, we're going to show what they mean by mixed martial arts.”

Nurmagomedov also emphasized that his motivation extends beyond the title picture. With Petr Yan and Dvalishvili set to meet in a trilogy bout for the belt at UFC 333, the 30-year-old is focused on delivering his best performance regardless of what happens elsewhere in the division.

“Of course, I want to show my best version,” Nurmagomedov added. “I don't care about that fight, whether they're going to fight or not, like, for myself, I want to show my best version.”

"For myself, I want to show my best version."

With the bantamweight title on the line in a few months, Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) wants to put on an impressive performance at #UFCShanghai

Fight by Fight Preview ➡️ https://t.co/JeUnGYBzaqpic.twitter.com/B0wYHMbxS1— UFC News (@UFCNews) August 25, 2026