Former title challenger and No, 2 ranked bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagmedov entered Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 286 main event in Shanghai, China with a title shot on the horizon. Pitted against No. ranked Song Yadong, the Russian just needed to win.
Song, a tough out for anyone in the division, ended Nurmagomedov’s aspirations to earn another title fight early in the second round inside Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. As Nurmagomedov attempted a takedown, Song connected with a nicely timed punch that left Nurmagomedov removed from consciousness.
Hours after the knockout loss, Nurmagmedov released a statement via social media.
“Everything is fine with me,” Nurmagomedov wrote on Instagram (translated to English via Instagram). “Alhamdulillah. Thank you so much to everyone who writes. I will work on the mistakes. And I will be back.”
UFC Shanghai featured 13 bouts with 10 ending in finishes. Song earned a Performance of the Night bonus for the stunning knockout. The event marked the promotion’s third visit to Shanghai and 16,188 spectators were in attendance.