Overview
- Multiple outlets and both fighters confirmed on Thursday that Umar Nurmagomedov will face Song Yadong as the five-round main event for UFC Shanghai on Aug. 29 in Shanghai, China.
- Reports differ on the exact arena with several outlets naming the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center and at least one naming the Shanghai Indoor Stadium, and the promotion has not released the full card.
- Nurmagomedov is 20-1 and riding a two-fight winning streak after a title loss to Merab Dvalishvili, and Song is 23-9-1 coming off a submission win over former champion Deiveson Figueiredo.
- The initial report came from Red Fury MMA and was picked up and corroborated by MMA outlets and the fighters’ social posts.
- Betting opened with Nurmagomedov a heavy favorite and bookmakers and outlets framed the bout as an unofficial title eliminator that would push the winner closer to a shot at the bantamweight belt.