How Song Yadong beat Umar Nurmagomedov: Breaking down the UFC Shanghai main event knockout

At UFC Shanghai, Song Yadong gave his countrymen a night to remember by knocking out Umar Nurmagomedov in round two of their bantamweight encounter. It was one of the biggest upsets of the year, but how exactly did Song manage to pull it off? Was it a lucky punch or the result of an opening he knew to exploit?

Song Yadong vs. Umar Nurmagomedov: An analysis

Days before their fight, Umar Nurmagomedov dismissed Song Yadong as an easy opponent. He didn't consider him elite and was certain that he'd soon work his way back into title contention. In fact, hardly anyone gave Song much of a chance, as Nurmagomedov is often pegged as a future UFC champion. So, what happened? In round one, Song seemed to have the edge on the feet, but not by much. Both men found success with their jabs, though Song also used body kicks and long right hooks to the body to dissuade Nurmagomedov from level changing chin-first into those strikes. By contrast, Nurmagomedov did well with his own kicks, leaning away to load his weight on his rear foot to flick his front foot up with lightning speed.

However, the difference-maker in round one was Nurmagomedov's wrestling. When Song threw a low kick, Nurmagomedov caught it and immediately converted it into a takedown. It was a mistake that cost him the round, and a mistake that cornerman and bantamweight legend Urijah Faber later warned him against between rounds. Despite the takedown, Song wasn't lost on the mat and tried to use a butterfly hook to sweep Nurmagomedov. When that failed, he attempted a guillotine, which also proved fruitless, allowing Nurmagomedov to spend a decent amount of time in top control, but without much damage dealt. Eventually, Song found an opening, trapping Nurmagomedov's right leg by triangling them with his own, while sliding his right arm under the crotch, before turning left and sliding out. 

As a scramble ensued, Song managed to get to his feet by leaning forward to shake Nurmagomedov off when the latter tried to take his back. It was a solid round for Nurmagomedov, but in round two, Song punished him for a tendency that has followed him in most of his fights. While Nurmagomedov is comfortable striking and wrestling, he often shoots for reactive takedowns when striking exchanges become uncomfortable. Unfortunately for him, he always does so, even if only feinting the takedown, by leaning his head to his left side. This poor habit has led to him being dropped before in other fights, when his opponent intercepts him as he leans too low.

So, after Song, who was no longer throwing low kicks, defended a poorly timed takedown as he now had the space and time to frame against Nurmagomedov and sprawl, Nurmagomedov was forced to strike for longer. Eventually, back on the feet, Song flicked his left hand out, causing Nurmagomedov to lean down to his left and into the path of a big right hand from Song, who clipped him on the ear and the back of the jaw, knocking him out cold. It was a massive win, and Song will now look to earn a title shot, while Nurmagomedov, who remains defiant, goes back to the drawing board after suffering his second professional loss.