2 months ago
For much of the past five years, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has drawn criticism for passing on talented mixed martial arts (MMA) free agents such as Paul Hughes, instead choosing to sign less-expensive Contender Series prospects.
That approach has started to shift.
Over the past two years, UFC has strengthened its roster with elite outside talent, including Reinier de Ridder, Kai Asakura and, most recently, Salahdine Parnasse.
For what it's worth, UFC eventually signed four of the five fighters I recommended last year.
Not bad!
#past #ultimate #championship #series
That approach has started to shift.
Over the past two years, UFC has strengthened its roster with elite outside talent, including Reinier de Ridder, Kai Asakura and, most recently, Salahdine Parnasse.
For what it's worth, UFC eventually signed four of the five fighters I recommended last year.
Not bad!
#past #ultimate #championship #series
2 months ago
The Ultimate Fighting Championship touched down again at the SPDBank Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China, for an excitingevent.
In the UFC Shanghai headliner, UmarNurmagomedov and Yadong Songlocked horns in an exciting 135-pound tilt with **** le implications.In the co-main event, UFC strawweight veteran Xiaonan Yancollided with up-and-comer DeniseGomes. The event saw 10 fights end inside the distance, withmost by knockout.
Here's a list of possible matchups for the main card winners.
The UFC Shanghai main event ended with a huge upset as Song(24-9-1, 1 NC; 13-4-1 UFC) starched former 135-pound **** lechallenger Nurmagomedov (20-2, 8-2 UFC). Song clipped his foe witha well-timed punch right on the ear, immediately dropping him.The two follow-up punches turned Nurmagomedov's lights out, and theofficial end came at the 1:48 mark of Round 2. With the currentdivisional **** leholder Petr Yan andNo. 1 challenger MerabDvalishvili already set to lock horns in October, the logicalmatchup for Song seems to be a rematch with Sean O'Malley. "Suga"impressed in his outing at UFC White House, and the "Kung Fu Kid"looks mature enough to overcome his rival, and possibly not leaveit in the judges' hands this time. In their first encounter,O'Malley took home a unanimous decision victory.
In the co-feature, Gomes (13-3, 7-2 UFC) crushed Yan (19-6, 1 NC;9-5 UFC) in an intriguing clash in the women's strawweightdivision. Gomes landed a vicious elbow to her opponent's face before following up withmore punches, forcing the halt at 4:49 of Round 1. A surgingcontender in the women's strawweight division, the Brazilian is nowriding a five-bout winning streak and is 7-1 in her most recentassignments. A few interesting names are climbing the rankings at115 pounds, so it might be time to see who's the next big thing ina clash with AlexiaThainara. "Burguesinha" is currently riding an impressive13-bout winning streak. The winner of this clash might be next fora dance with the current divisional queen, MackenzieDern.
It took a little more than a round for Kai Asakura(23-6, 2-2 UFC) to stop onetime Wu Lin Feng **** leholder Qileng Aori(26-14, 1 NC; 4-6, 1 NC UFC) with a praiseworthy sequence started by a head kick followed by punches and punctuated by someknees to the body. The official end came 34 seconds into Round2. Asakura has scored back-to-back wins now, and it's time for theformer Rizin Fighting Federation 135-pound **** leholder to step upin competition. ViniciusOliveira is currently looking for a fight, coming off a winover Andre Fili inJune. Neither Asakura nor Oliveira backs down when it comes totrading blows, and the outcome could be a treat fortechnical-striking fans.
In a 125-pound attraction, Su Mudaerji(20-7, 1 NC; 7-4, 1 NC UFC) finally managed to overcome Alex Perez(26-11, 1 NC; 8-7, 1 NC UFC). The first time the pair met in theOctagon, it ended in no contest following an accidental groin shot.This time, Mudaerji relied on sharper strikes and so
In the UFC Shanghai headliner, UmarNurmagomedov and Yadong Songlocked horns in an exciting 135-pound tilt with **** le implications.In the co-main event, UFC strawweight veteran Xiaonan Yancollided with up-and-comer DeniseGomes. The event saw 10 fights end inside the distance, withmost by knockout.
Here's a list of possible matchups for the main card winners.
The UFC Shanghai main event ended with a huge upset as Song(24-9-1, 1 NC; 13-4-1 UFC) starched former 135-pound **** lechallenger Nurmagomedov (20-2, 8-2 UFC). Song clipped his foe witha well-timed punch right on the ear, immediately dropping him.The two follow-up punches turned Nurmagomedov's lights out, and theofficial end came at the 1:48 mark of Round 2. With the currentdivisional **** leholder Petr Yan andNo. 1 challenger MerabDvalishvili already set to lock horns in October, the logicalmatchup for Song seems to be a rematch with Sean O'Malley. "Suga"impressed in his outing at UFC White House, and the "Kung Fu Kid"looks mature enough to overcome his rival, and possibly not leaveit in the judges' hands this time. In their first encounter,O'Malley took home a unanimous decision victory.
In the co-feature, Gomes (13-3, 7-2 UFC) crushed Yan (19-6, 1 NC;9-5 UFC) in an intriguing clash in the women's strawweightdivision. Gomes landed a vicious elbow to her opponent's face before following up withmore punches, forcing the halt at 4:49 of Round 1. A surgingcontender in the women's strawweight division, the Brazilian is nowriding a five-bout winning streak and is 7-1 in her most recentassignments. A few interesting names are climbing the rankings at115 pounds, so it might be time to see who's the next big thing ina clash with AlexiaThainara. "Burguesinha" is currently riding an impressive13-bout winning streak. The winner of this clash might be next fora dance with the current divisional queen, MackenzieDern.
It took a little more than a round for Kai Asakura(23-6, 2-2 UFC) to stop onetime Wu Lin Feng **** leholder Qileng Aori(26-14, 1 NC; 4-6, 1 NC UFC) with a praiseworthy sequence started by a head kick followed by punches and punctuated by someknees to the body. The official end came 34 seconds into Round2. Asakura has scored back-to-back wins now, and it's time for theformer Rizin Fighting Federation 135-pound **** leholder to step upin competition. ViniciusOliveira is currently looking for a fight, coming off a winover Andre Fili inJune. Neither Asakura nor Oliveira backs down when it comes totrading blows, and the outcome could be a treat fortechnical-striking fans.
In a 125-pound attraction, Su Mudaerji(20-7, 1 NC; 7-4, 1 NC UFC) finally managed to overcome Alex Perez(26-11, 1 NC; 8-7, 1 NC UFC). The first time the pair met in theOctagon, it ended in no contest following an accidental groin shot.This time, Mudaerji relied on sharper strikes and so
2 months ago
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is live THIS MORNING (Sat., Aug. 29, 2026) with UFC Shanghai, streaming live online via Paramount+. The event happens at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China. The main event is Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong in the Bantamweight division.
The UFC returns to China for the second time this year. In May they were in Macau. And this is also the second time they've been to Shanghai in as many years. Who can forget the massive upset Johnny Walker pulled off over The Mountain Tiger the last time they were here?
There's a home soil hero on this card, too. It's Song Yadong. But it will be an upset if he manages to pull off the win against the -600 Umar Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov will be looking for a suffocating victory to get himself back in the **** le picture against fellow countryman Petr Yan.
The co-main event is Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes. Former **** le challenger Yan is climbing past her mid-thirties, but she will hope she has enough left in the tank to beat the rising Brazilian talent. Gomes will have revenge on her mind in this fight. Yan once knocked out Gomes' mentor Jessica Andrade.
Rounding out the main card is Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura, Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji, Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr. and Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas. A number of those fights seem engineered to produce viral moments.
#Event #song #yadong
The UFC returns to China for the second time this year. In May they were in Macau. And this is also the second time they've been to Shanghai in as many years. Who can forget the massive upset Johnny Walker pulled off over The Mountain Tiger the last time they were here?
There's a home soil hero on this card, too. It's Song Yadong. But it will be an upset if he manages to pull off the win against the -600 Umar Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov will be looking for a suffocating victory to get himself back in the **** le picture against fellow countryman Petr Yan.
The co-main event is Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes. Former **** le challenger Yan is climbing past her mid-thirties, but she will hope she has enough left in the tank to beat the rising Brazilian talent. Gomes will have revenge on her mind in this fight. Yan once knocked out Gomes' mentor Jessica Andrade.
Rounding out the main card is Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura, Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji, Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr. and Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas. A number of those fights seem engineered to produce viral moments.
#Event #song #yadong
2 months ago
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is live THIS MORNING (Sat., Aug. 29, 2026) with UFC Shanghai, streaming live online via Paramount+. The event happens at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China. The main event is Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong in the Bantamweight division.
The UFC returns to China for the second time this year. In May they were in Macau. And this is also the second time they've been to Shanghai in as many years. Who can forget the massive upset Johnny Walker pulled off over The Mountain Tiger the last time they were here?
There's a home soil hero on this card, too. It's Song Yadong. But it will be an upset if he manages to pull off the win against the -600 Umar Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov will be looking for a suffocating victory to get himself back in the ****** le picture against fellow countryman Petr Yan.
The co-main event is Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes. Former ****** le challenger Yan is climbing past her mid-thirties, but she will hope she has enough left in the tank to beat the rising Brazilian talent. Gomes will have revenge on her mind in this fight. Yan once knocked out Gomes' mentor Jessica Andrade.
Rounding out the main card is Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura, Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji, Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr. and Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas. A number of those fights seem engineered to produce viral moments.
#nurmagomedov #gomes #Event #yadong
The UFC returns to China for the second time this year. In May they were in Macau. And this is also the second time they've been to Shanghai in as many years. Who can forget the massive upset Johnny Walker pulled off over The Mountain Tiger the last time they were here?
There's a home soil hero on this card, too. It's Song Yadong. But it will be an upset if he manages to pull off the win against the -600 Umar Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov will be looking for a suffocating victory to get himself back in the ****** le picture against fellow countryman Petr Yan.
The co-main event is Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes. Former ****** le challenger Yan is climbing past her mid-thirties, but she will hope she has enough left in the tank to beat the rising Brazilian talent. Gomes will have revenge on her mind in this fight. Yan once knocked out Gomes' mentor Jessica Andrade.
Rounding out the main card is Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura, Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji, Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr. and Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas. A number of those fights seem engineered to produce viral moments.
#nurmagomedov #gomes #Event #yadong
2 months ago
Umar Nurmagomedov(135.5) vs. Yadong Song (136) Denise Gomes (115) vs.Xiaonan Yan (115.5) Kai Asakura (135.5) vs.Qileng Aori (135.5) Su Mudaerji (125) vs. AlexPerez (126) Ce Liu(206) vs. Levi Rodrigues (206) Bilal Hasan (124.5) vs.Nilson Rojas (124.5) NamsraiBatbayar (126) vs. Andre Lima (127: Missed Weight) Kevin Borjas (126) vs. ReiTsuruya (125) Jack Jenkins (145) vs.Sean Woodson (145) Long Xiao (135) vs.Francesco Nuzzi (136) Lawrence Lui (135.5)vs. Hector Santiago (135) Jingnan Xiong (117: Missed Weight) vs. Julia Polastri (118.5:Missed Weight) Meng Ding (170) vs. CameronNelson (170) Sherdog's live UFC Shanghai coverage will begin Saturday at 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m.PT. The event is also known as UFC Fight Night 286.
#missed #umar #nurmagomedov #asakura
#missed #umar #nurmagomedov #asakura
2 months ago
Aori Qileng and Kai Asakura meet on the UFC Fight Night 286 main card on Saturday at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie **** yst Dan Tom.
Last event's results: 4-2
UFC main cards, 2026: 93-50-1
Qileng (26-13 MMA, 4-5 UFC) will enter UFC Fight Night 286 having lost two of his past three bouts, including most recently a second-round TKO to Cody Haddon in May.
After losing his first two UFC bouts, including a flyweight **** le fight in his debut, Asakura (22-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) earned a Performance of the Night bonus in his last promotional appearance after knocking out Cameron Smotherman in the first round of their bantamweight bout in May.
#fight #including
Last event's results: 4-2
UFC main cards, 2026: 93-50-1
Qileng (26-13 MMA, 4-5 UFC) will enter UFC Fight Night 286 having lost two of his past three bouts, including most recently a second-round TKO to Cody Haddon in May.
After losing his first two UFC bouts, including a flyweight **** le fight in his debut, Asakura (22-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) earned a Performance of the Night bonus in his last promotional appearance after knocking out Cameron Smotherman in the first round of their bantamweight bout in May.
#fight #including
2 months ago
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is just over 24 hours away from its upcoming UFC Shanghai mixed martial arts (MMA) event, headlined by the 135-pound showdown between former bantamweight **** le challenger Umar Nurmagomedov and contender Song Yadong. The action gets underway this Sat. (Aug. 29, 2026) on Paramount+ from inside Shanghai Indoor Stadium in Shanghai, China, and also features a strawweight co-headliner between 115-pound **** le hopefuls Yan Xiaonan and Denise Gomes.
Before the Paramount+ live stream gets underway this weekend in Shanghai, which includes the all-action bantamweight contest pitting Kai Asakura against Aori Qileng, all 26 fighters must hit the scale to prove themselves worthy. Note: the promotion (serving as its own athletic commission) affords a one-pound allowance in non-title fights. The first fighter is expected to tip the scale at 9 p.m. ET, with updated text results to follow below shortly thereafter.
UFC Shanghai Main Card on Paramount+:
135 lbs.: Umar Nurmagomedov () vs. Yadong Song ()
115 lbs.: Xiaonan Yan () vs. Denise Gomes ()
135 lbs.: Aoriqileng () vs. Kai Asakura ()
125 lbs.: Alex Perez () vs. Sumudaerji ()
205 lbs.: Levi Rodrigues Jr. () vs. Ce Liu ()
125 lbs.: Bilal Hasan () vs. Nilson Rojas ()
UFC Shanghai Prelims Card on Paramount+:
#song #xiaonan
Before the Paramount+ live stream gets underway this weekend in Shanghai, which includes the all-action bantamweight contest pitting Kai Asakura against Aori Qileng, all 26 fighters must hit the scale to prove themselves worthy. Note: the promotion (serving as its own athletic commission) affords a one-pound allowance in non-title fights. The first fighter is expected to tip the scale at 9 p.m. ET, with updated text results to follow below shortly thereafter.
UFC Shanghai Main Card on Paramount+:
135 lbs.: Umar Nurmagomedov () vs. Yadong Song ()
115 lbs.: Xiaonan Yan () vs. Denise Gomes ()
135 lbs.: Aoriqileng () vs. Kai Asakura ()
125 lbs.: Alex Perez () vs. Sumudaerji ()
205 lbs.: Levi Rodrigues Jr. () vs. Ce Liu ()
125 lbs.: Bilal Hasan () vs. Nilson Rojas ()
UFC Shanghai Prelims Card on Paramount+:
#song #xiaonan
