The UFC took the show on the road to the traditional martial arts capital of the world, China, on Saturday for UFC Shanghai. An ultra early card for westerners, who if they were lucky enough to have tuned in were treated an action-packed card. Ten finishes on this 13-fight card. Enough to tie the record for most finishes on a modern card set just a few weeks ago on UFC Sacramento. The co-main event featured Denise Gomes loudly announcing herself to the elites of the women’s strawweight division with her violent first round KO of Yan Xiaonan in the co main event. And in the main event, Song Yadong proved he is one of the fighters on the shortlist to fight for the bantamweight title with his second-round KO of Dagestan’s own, Umar Nurmagomedov.
Umar Nurmagomedov
#6 Song Yadong identified and exploited a weakness in (# 2) Umar Nurmagomedov’s gameplan on Saturday to KO the fighter in the wild UFC Shanghai main event. The loss was just Umar’s second in his 22-fight pro MMA career. This is the first time that the Russian has been stopped. Umar’s other loss came against the champion, Merab Dvalishvili, in an unsuccessful title shot back in early January. Umar is now 8-2 with the UFC since being signed in 2021.
Umar’s next fight should be against Farid Bashart. Couple of other potential matchups on the horizon but I really like trying Umar against a relatively unknown prospect streaking across 135lbs. Bashart is a 2022 Contender Series product that is 7-0 with the UFC. He only has one finish with the promotion but is still looking for that signature win and a worthy opponent. Bashart was supposed to take on Ethyn Ewing in his most recent bout back in July. But after Ewing withdrew due to injury, he thrashed a short notice 6-1, John Garza instead. Great reset matchup for the promotion to push a completely new face and for Umar to show he’s still a level above.
Nurmagomedov’s next fight: (#9) Farid Bashart
Yan Xiaonan
(#9) Denise Gomes landed a picture-perfect short elbow to spell the beginning of the end for (#4) Yan Xiaonan in the pair’s co main event fight on Saturday. A brutal KO for Yan to suffer. It also sets her on a losing streak for just the second time in her pro MMA career. Yan has now lost three of her last four fights, stemming from an unsuccessful title shot opposite of Zhang Weili in early 2024. Xiaonan is now 9-5 with the UFC in what is approaching a decade with the promotion.
After a scary finish like that, Yan could very well be on the shelf for a while. But when she comes back, a good matchup would be pairing her against (#12) Tabatha Ricci. This matchup was identified in a previous losers article. Ricci last fought in July and was thrashed by Fatima Kline. She’s lost three of her last four including a unanimous decision to Yan in 2024. This would be an interesting one to run back considering both fighters’ trajectories lately.
Xiaonan’s next fight: Tabatha Ricci rematch
Aoriqileng
Former RIZIN champion, Kai Asakura, looked back in old form once again on Saturday with his early second round melting of Aoriqileng. The TKO was initiated by a picture-perfect kick and ended with Aoriqileng in a heap and on a two-fight skid. Aoriqileng has now lost three of his last four bouts since 2024. He’s 4-6, 1 NC with the UFC in his five-year tenure under the promotional banner.
Many would love to pair Aoriqileng up with Cameron Smotherman. This is a matchup that was mentioned in a previous loser’s article. Unfortunately, Smotherman was cut after losing to Kai earlier this year. Another good fight for Aoriqileng would be to give him the loser of Ricky Simon vs. Montel Jackson. Especially if that fight ends in a finish. Simon is coming off a draw to Adrian Yanez and lost to Raoni Barcelos in the fight prior. Montel is on a 2-fight skid, losing a pair of split decisions to Deivsion Figueirdo and Raoni Barcelos. Simon would be 10-7-1, with the UFC with a loss. Jackson would be 9-5.
Aoriqileng’s next fight: Loser of Ricky Simon vs. #15 Montel Jackson (especially if a finish)
Alex Perez
The five-year free fall of Alex Perez continued on Saturday as he was narrowly bested over the course of three rounds by (#13) Sumudaerji on the main card of UFC Shanghai. The fight was an immediate rematch from a no contest in May, after Perez couldn’t continue after an accidental groin strike. Including his loss to then flyweight champion, Devieson Figueiredo in 2020, Perez has gone 2-6, 1 NC. A pretty abysmal turn of fate, bringing the 2017 Contender Series alum’s promotional record to 8-7, 1 NC.
Alex’s next fight should be against Cody Durden. Cody is another fighter that has been in something of a free fall lately. Durden has lost five of his last six fights dating back to late 2024. His only sin during that stretch was opposite Jafel Filho earlier this year. Durden is 7-9-1 since being signed to the UFC in 2020. Cody was last in action back in July when he was submitted by Alessandro Costa on the undercard of UFC 329. Costa is currently rounding out the top 15 of the flyweight division so this would be the perfect matchup for Perez.
Perez’s next fight: Cody Durden
Levi Rodrigues Jr.
Liu Ce came out on top of a one round light heavyweight firefight on the main card of UFC Shanghai against Levi Rodrigues Jr. on Saturday. The entertaining slugfest won both men fight of the night honors. Rodriguez, a veteran of the 2025 season of the Contender Series is now 0-2 with the UFC. He’s also been finished in both outings, which is a nerve-racking position to be in.
Levi’s next fight should be against Kevin Christian. Kevin is 0-2 with the UFC since being signed off the 2024 season of the Contender Series. He’s a dynamic 6’7″ tall fighter that has already been finished twice with the promotion, both times in the first round. Kevin was finished via submission in his promotional debut to Billy Elekana and was stopped in his last time out by Junior Tafa. Considering Tafa was Liu’s original opponent for UFC Shanghai, before he withdrew, this could be a fairly interesting and evenly matched bout.
Rodrigues’s next fight: Kevin Christian
Nilson Rojas
Bilal Hasan kicked off the main card of UFC Shanghai with a highlight reel straight right finish over Nilson Rojas. Both men entered the fight undefeated as pro fighters, but only Hasan exited with the same unblemished record. Rojas is now 9-1 as a pro as he lost his UFC debut to a Contender Series product also making his promotional debut.
Nilson’s next fight should be against Luis Gurule. Luis is 1-4 with the UFC since being signed of the 2024 season of the Contender Series. His lone victory came earlier this year via a unanimous decision nod against Daniel Barez. Gurule was last in action back in late May when he was submitted in the first round by Rei Tsuruya (who won on the undercard of UFC Shanghai). Two hardnosed guys who aren’t afraid to come forward, no matter the odds. The timing could be a little off for this one. But it’s still a matchup that could keep a lot of fans on the edges of their seats.
Rojas’s next fight: Luis Gurule
