Nurmagomedov On Song Ahead Of UFC Shanghai

Umar Nurmagomedov is treating his upcoming UFC Shanghai headliner against Yadong Song as a serious test, not a stepping stone back to the bantamweight title.

Nurmagomedov, who has won his last two fights by decision since losing to Merab Dvalishvili for the belt in January last year, faces Song in China on August 30. The Dagestani stopped Mario Bautista and Deiveson Figueiredo on the scorecards to rebuild momentum, and a win over Song on his home turf could put him back in contention. But Nurmagomedov is not looking past the well-rounded Chinese fighter.

Nurmagomedov Expects Real MMA Test Against Song

"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, per Sherdog. "And I will, I will, we both, I think, we're going to show what they mean by mixed martial arts."

The 30-year-old Russian said his focus is on performing at his best regardless of what happens in the title picture. With Petr Yan and Dvalishvili scheduled to meet in a trilogy bout for the strap at UFC 333, Nurmagomedov is tuning out the noise. "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," he added.

Nurmagomedov carries a 19-1 record into Shanghai, with his only loss coming via decision to Dvalishvili. Song enters off back-to-back wins and will have the crowd behind him when the cage door closes.

Reported via:

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