Umar Nurmagomedov

Song Yadong blew the roof off Oriental Sports Center to close out the show on Saturday, stopping Umar Nurmagomedov in the second round. After choking out Deiveson Figueiredo in Macau, this performance could catapult Song into the No. 1 contender position in the bantamweight division.

Key moments

• both landed solid strikes and Song chased a guillotine choke to no avail
• This was a massive moment for the 28-year-old Chinese standout, who suffered a massive cut under his right eyebrow from an accidental clash of heads just moments earlier.
• “The Kung Fu Kid” bounced a heavy right hand off the side of the head of the former title challenger when Nurmagomedov changed levels and shot in for a takedown, instantly sending the partisan crowd into hysterics.

Umar controlled the fight with measured distance management and grappling, repeatedly limiting Figueiredo’s chances to build offense. Figueiredo rallied late in the second round, but Umar’s kicks and top control carried him to a unanimous decision, 30-27 on all three cards.

Key moments

• Umar controlled the opening round across the striking and grappling exchanges.
• He kept Figueiredo at range for most of round two.
• Figueiredo’s late second-round output was his clearest rally.
• Umar used kicks and top control to close the third round and secure three 30-27 cards.

Umar Nurmagomedov defeated Mario Bautista by unanimous decision at UFC 321 in a wrestling-heavy bantamweight bout.

Key moments

• Nurmagomedov repeatedly secured takedowns and used top control while Bautista worked to scramble free.
• Bautista briefly dropped Nurmagomedov with a knee early in the second round, but Nurmagomedov recovered and returned to his grappling attack.
• Nurmagomedov continued to chain takedowns and control positions through the third round, limiting Bautista's sustained offense.
• Nurmagomedov won the unanimous decision by scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 30-27.

Umar Nurmagomedov lost a unanimous decision to Merab Dvalishvili in a five-round bantamweight title fight at UFC 311.

Key moments

• Nurmagomedov found success early with precise straight punches and kicks while Dvalishvili worked to close the distance.
• Dvalishvili increased his pressure in the second round, forcing Nurmagomedov to defend repeated wrestling exchanges and takedown attempts.
• Nurmagomedov created a brief opening by taking Dvalishvili's back, but Dvalishvili escaped and returned to his high-output pressure game.
• Dvalishvili retained the bantamweight title by unanimous decision, winning 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46.

Umar Nurmagomedov defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision in the five-round main event at UFC on ABC 7.

Key moments

• Nurmagomedov used precise stand-up work and distance management to make Sandhagen work for his entries.
• Nurmagomedov mixed tactical takedowns with efficient striking and repeatedly made Sandhagen defend during the scrambles.
• Sandhagen resisted the takedowns and created competitive exchanges, but Nurmagomedov maintained the clearer control of the fight.
• Nurmagomedov won the unanimous decision by scores of 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46.

Umar Nurmagomedov defeated Bekzat Almakhan by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 238 after recovering from an early knockdown.

Key moments

• Almakhan caught Nurmagomedov with a clean punch early in the opening round and briefly put him on the canvas.
• Nurmagomedov recovered by securing a takedown and quickly returning the fight to his preferred grappling exchanges.
• Nurmagomedov repeatedly advanced position, took Almakhan's back, and used ground control and sustained strikes to build a wide lead.
• Nurmagomedov won the unanimous decision by scores of 30-25, 30-26, and 30-26.

Nurmagomedov kept the fight at range with kicks and stance changes while Barcelos advanced behind his hands. A late body kick and left-hand combination ended the bout at 4:40 of the opening round.

Key moments

• Nurmagomedov opened with kicks to Barcelos's legs and body while circling away from the Brazilian's forward pressure.
• Barcelos tried to close distance with combinations, but Nurmagomedov answered with a front kick and a left hand.
• Nurmagomedov followed a body kick with the left hand that knocked Barcelos out at 4:40 of Round 1.