“Lol”: Fans react after Song Yadong showcases wrestling ahead of Umar Nurmagomedov clash

The UFC is heading to China next week for the Fight Night event, and a bantamweight clash between Song Yadong and Umar Nurmagomedov headlines it. Yadong is fresh off a submission victory over Deiveson Figueiredo, while Nurmagomedov won via decision against Figueiredo at UFC 324 

Ahead of the fight, a video of Yadong working on his wrestling with an RAF wrestler, George Poullas, is going viral, and fans have shared their reactions. 

Fans react to Song Yadong's wrestling session ahead of Umar Nurmagomedov fight

In the video, Yadong is seen working on his wrestling skills with Poullas. The latter shared the video on his X account, sparking waves of reactions from the MMA community. 

One fan remains confident in Nurmagomedov’s wrestling skills and believes it would be difficult for Yadong to overcome them. 

“lol who are we kidding. Umar's wrestling is levels above everyone else in that decision except maybe Merab,” a fan wrote.

Another MMA enthusiast highlights Nurmagomedov’s leg kicks and feels Yadong will not be able to stand with them. 

“Bruh?? he aint stopping the kicks that gonna be jabbing him,” he commented.

Another fan asked whether Yadong's wrestling defense would remain effective once Nurmagomedov starts landing punches.

“Can he still do that after several punches,” he wrote.

One believes the Chinese fighter's ability to compete in the striking exchanges could ultimately determine the outcome.

“He can, the issue isn’t the takedowns the issue is song is gonna get outstruck,” he wrote.

One fan simply backed Nurmagomedov to continue his winning ways.

“Song is very good, but I'll keep believing in Umar,” a fan added.

Another one feels that it would be only a wrestling match; Yadong had a chance, but not in MMA, against Nurmagomedov. 

“If it was pure wrestling, maybe, but not in an MMA fight,” he commented

The fight between Yadong and Nurmagomedov is not purely a striker vs. wrestler matchup; both fighters have decent overall fighting styles, with grappling and striking. The match would be a tactical battle, and that's exactly what former UFC champion Dominick Cruz said. 

Dominick Cruz breaks down Song Yadong vs. Umar Nurmagomedov

Dominick Cruz was recently interviewed by MMA Junkie and asked to break down Yadong vs. Nurmagomedov. He predicts a tactical battle and pointed out that the Chinese will have an edge in power shots. 

However, he also feels that the Yadong style will favor Nurmagomedov in using his footwork effectively and controlling the octagon.
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"It's going to be fun to watch that go down. It's going to be a tactical battle. I think Song Yadong has the edge in the power shots, but also him having to sit down the way he does to land the power and throw the power and keep his feet flat is going to make it much easier for Nurmagomedov to use his footwork and use the whole octagon,” Cruz said.