Nurmagomedov enters the contest looking to continue his climb back toward title contention after rebounding from his championship loss to Merab Dvalishvili with victories over Mario Bautista and Deiveson Figueiredo.
Song has quietly built one of the strongest resumes in the division. Wins over Henry Cejudo and Deiveson Figueiredo, combined with competitive performances against elite opponents like Sean O’Malley and Petr Yan.
Umar Nurmagomedov
Last 3 Bouts
Win. Deiveson Figueiredo – Unanimous Decision
Win. Mario Bautista – Unanimous Decision
Lose. Merab Dvalishvili – Unanimous Decision
Strengths
Elite wrestling and top control
Excellent takedown chains
Strong defensive grappling
Diverse kicking arsenal
High fight IQ
Outstanding cardio
Difficult to control or pressure effectively
Weaknesses
Can occasionally be low-volume on the feet
Has not faced many explosive strikers in their prime
Sometimes prioritizes control over damage
Pressure can disrupt his kicking game
Keys to Victory
Mix striking and wrestling seamlessly
Force Song to defend takedowns throughout the fight
Attack from the outside with kicks
Avoid extended boxing exchanges
Control positioning against the fence
Wear Song down over five rounds
Song Yadong
Last 3 Bouts
Win. Deiveson Figueiredo – Submission (Guillotine Choke, Round 2)
Lose. Sean O’Malley – Unanimous Decision
Win. Henry Cejudo – Technical Decision
Strengths
Fast and powerful boxing
Excellent counter-striking
Dangerous knockout power
Strong takedown defense
Athletic explosiveness
Proven five-round experience
Continues to improve his grappling game
Weaknesses
Gives up size and reach against some opponents
Can be out-controlled by elite wrestlers
Occasionally slows down in grappling-heavy fights
Sometimes relies too heavily on power shots
Keys to Victory
Stuff early takedown attempts
Keep the fight in open space
Pressure Umar with combinations
Attack the body to slow movement
Force Umar into boxing exchanges
Capitalize on any defensive lapses during entries
Odds
Song Yadong +455
Umar Nurmagomedov -625
