UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs. Song Preview: Full Fight Card Breakdown
UFC returns to Shanghai on August 29 with a bantamweight main event that carries genuine title implications. Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong, ranked third and fifth in the division, meet at the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center in a fight the winner likely needs to secure a shot at the belt. With strong local storylines throughout and legitimate elite talent from top to bottom, UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs. Song is one of the more compelling Fight Night cards of 2026.
Full Fight Card
| Fight | Weight Class | Card Section |
|---|---|---|
| Umar Nurmagomedov vs Song Yadong | Bantamweight | Main Card |
| Yan Xiaonan vs Denise Gomes | Strawweight | Main Card |
| Kai Asakura vs Aori Qileng | Bantamweight | Main Card |
| Alex Perez vs Su Mudaerji | Flyweight | Main Card |
| Junior Tafa vs Ce Liu | Light Heavyweight | Main Card |
| Bilal Hasan vs Nilson Rojas | Flyweight | Main Card |
| Andre Lima vs Masrai Batbayar | Flyweight | Preliminary Card |
| Rei Tsuruya vs Kevin Borjas | Flyweight | Preliminary Card |
| Francesco Nuzzi vs Xiao Long | Bantamweight | Preliminary Card |
| Sean Woodson vs Jack Jenkins | Featherweight | Preliminary Card |
| Julia Polastri vs Jingnan Xiong | Strawweight | Preliminary Card |
| Ding Meng vs Cameron Olson | Welterweight | Preliminary Card |
Main Event: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong
This fight is effectively a bantamweight title eliminator. Umar Nurmagomedov (20-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) carries one of the most complete skill sets in the division — elite wrestling with Dagestani roots, polished submission game, and the kind of cage IQ that breaks down opponents from round one. He challenged Merab Dvalishvili for the title at UFC 311 and came up short, but has since bounced back with back-to-back wins over Mario Bautista and Deiveson Figueiredo.
Song Yadong (23-9-1 MMA, 12-4-1 UFC) enters off a statement performance — a submission finish of Figueiredo in May at UFC Macau. That win elevated his standing considerably, and his sixth UFC main event appearance shows how far he has come since his early octagon days. He brings powerful hands, a relentless pace, and the advantage of fighting in front of his home crowd.
The stylistic tension is real. Song's best chance is to keep the fight standing and use his reach and striking variety to neutralize Umar's grappling. Umar's best path is to close distance early, control the clinch, and impose his wrestling in the second and third rounds. Betting lines opened with Umar as a clear favorite, reflecting the view that his wrestling base and takedown threat make him a dangerous proposition for any striker at 135 lbs.
Both men have built real momentum, and only one continues toward a title shot after Saturday night.
Co-Main Event: Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes
Yan Xiaonan may receive the loudest reception of any fighter on this card. The Chinese strawweight veteran (19-5) has been a top-five fixture in the division since 2024, with notable wins over Jessica Andrade, Tabatha Ricci, and a championship challenge against Zhang Weili at UFC 300. She comes in off a decision loss to Virna Jandiroba and needs a statement win to re-establish herself in the title conversation.
Denise Gomes (12-3) has quietly built one of the stronger win streaks in the strawweight division — four consecutive victories including wins over Tecia Pennington, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Eduarda Moura. Currently ranked 13th, Gomes is closing the gap fast. Beating a former title challenger on the road, in Yan's home city, would be a defining result for her career.
Experience and power against momentum and hunger. Yan is the better-established fighter; Gomes is the more compelling story if she can deliver.
Notable Undercard Bouts
Kai Asakura vs. Aori Qileng
Former Rizin champion Kai Asakura continues his UFC run at bantamweight against Aori Qileng, nicknamed "The Mongolian Murderer." Asakura (22-6) made his first promotional victory count at UFC Macau, stopping Cameron Smotherman and confirming that the move up from flyweight suits him. He is the more technically rounded fighter heading into this matchup, and a finish in front of a packed Shanghai arena would cement his standing in the UFC bantamweight picture. Qileng (26-13) has had a difficult stretch with just two wins in his last six outings, but brings genuine finishing power and home crowd support.
Alex Perez vs. Su Mudaerji
Flyweight veteran Alex Perez brings genuine grappling credentials against the hard-hitting Su Mudaerji, who has produced spectacular stoppages and built a loyal following in China. This is the kind of fight where one shot or one scramble changes everything, and both men are capable of ending it quickly.
Why This Card Matters
UFC in Shanghai consistently delivers. Yan Xiaonan, Aori Qileng, and Su Mudaerji all fight in front of their home crowd, and the energy in the arena for Chinese fighters typically elevates the entire event. Beyond the atmosphere, the main event has real divisional stakes. The bantamweight division at 135 lbs is one of the most competitive in the UFC right now, and after this weekend, the top-five rankings will look meaningfully different.
Whether you are tracking the title picture at bantamweight or strawweight, or simply looking for a well-rounded event with quality throughout, UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs. Song delivers.