Umar Nurmagomedov has clarified his recent comments about Song Yadong ahead of their five-round main event at UFC Shanghai this Saturday.
Nurmagomedov was asked about remarks he made regarding Yadong’s unanimous decision loss to Sean O’Malley at UFC 324 in January. In the interview, Nurmagomedov had described Yadong as being like a “punching bag” and pointed to the third round of his fight with O’Malley as evidence that his opponent had faded.
However, Nurmagomedov offered a more measured assessment when asked how much cardio could factor into his upcoming fight with Yadong.
“I don't think he has (bad) cardio,” Nurmagomedov said. “He's always fighting. He has other fights. You know, like five rounds, and he (did) very well, you know?”
Nurmagomedov also revealed that he had been rooting for Yadong to defeat O’Malley and was surprised by the result.
“I think I was expecting he (was) gonna beat this guy (O’Malley),” Nurmagomedov said. “That's why I was a little bit mad, you know? I was rooting for him.”
The Russian contender acknowledged that the fight with O’Malley was competitive but suggested he believes the UFC favored the former champion.
“And when even that fight was close, you know? But (the UFC) like, more than (Song), they like Sean O'Malley,” Nurmagomedov said.
Nurmagomedov and Yadong will now settle their differences inside the Octagon, with the five-round main event at UFC Shanghai providing both fighters an opportunity to make a statement in one of the division’s biggest matchups.
