UFC Shanghai | Umar Nurmagomedov VS Song Yadong Fight Picks

Fun card on our hands! Off to Shanghai we go!

The fight breakdown is below. The fighter I have to win is in bold.

Meng Ding vs. Cam Nelson- First fight of the night! Ding is interesting coming into this fight and is coming off his UFC debut loss. Meng Ding is experienced, though. The striking is nice for Ding and has knockout power. Cam Nelson is ready to prove himself coming into this fight for his UFC Debut. Nelson has knockout power on the feet but not a ton of experience. I trust Meng Ding slightly more in this fight.

Xiong Jingnan vs. Julia Polastri- This fight is going to have to be a make it or break it sorta fight for Xiong Jingnan. I don't know what to think of Xiong Jingnan, to be honest. Her debut fight was not good. Julia Polastri will need to control this fight and be aggressive. I trust Julia Polastri more than what Xiong Jingnan has looked like.

Lawrence Lui vs. Hector Santiago- Fun fight. Lui is coming off the road to the UFC route. This will be Hector Santiago's debut. Lawrence Lui is a decent all-around fighter. I like that he can shoot for the takedown at an excessive rate. I don't know what Hector Santiago has to offer Lui. I am leaning toward Lui to win this fight by submission.

Francesco Nuzzi vs. Xiao Long- This fight is back-and-forth. Xiao Long didn't look great at all in his last fight. Francesco Nuzzi is making his UFC debut, and his striking isn't bad. I don't know what to think of this fight. Xiao Long has the experience, and I think he can handle business here.

Jack Jenkins vs. Sean Woodson- I am really liking this fight. Jack Jenkins with his leg kicks are explosive. We haven't seen Sean Woodson in a minute. Sean Woodson is very good at defending takedowns, and I don't see Jack Jenkins shooting for them. I can see Jack Jenkins landing leg kicks on Sean Woodson and keeping distance. The counterpart, though, is that Sean Woodson could find the striking output. This is why this fight will be a banger. I am liking Jack Jenkins, though, as the final pick.

Rei Tsuruya vs. Kevin Borjas- Fun fight! Rei Tsuruya looked fantastic in his last fight. One word to describe Rei Tsuruya is grappling. Kevin Borjas has had a tough schedule recently. On the feet, that is where Kevin Borjas will have to win this fight. Rei Tsuruya, I believe, will handle this fight on the ground and find the win.

Namsrai Batbayar vs. Andre Lima- Here we have Andre Lima coming off a loss. Andre Lima has been super hyped up, but his last fight was not good at all. I do like Lima with his leg kicks some and can find the takedowns as well. Namsrai Batbayar is making his UFC debut off the road of the UFC. Namsrai Batbayar is nice on the feet and an all-around fighter. I can see Namsrai Batbayar pushing the pace quickly. Andre Lima can bounce back in this fight, and I lean toward him slightly in this fight as the winner.

Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas- This will be a fun fight. Bilal Hasan is coming off DWCS, and it was a banger fight. Rojas is an interesting fighter coming into this, and he is making his UFC debut. The striking for Hasan is super quick and slick. I think Hasan comes into this fight and earns the knockout win.

Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues- Interesting fight due to Levi Rodrigues stepping in for Junior Tafa. This fight will be on the feet, in my opinion. Levi Rodrigues will push the pace and try to be the front runner on the feet. What is a little bit scary is that Levi Rodrigues is coming off a knockout loss recently. I can certainly see Liu Ce finding the chin of Levi Rodrigues and knocking him out. I think Liu Ce should be able to finish Levi Rodrigues.

Sumudaerji vs. Alex Perez- We get a rematch! Sumudaerji was looking okay in the fight against Alex Perez. Now, Alex Perez is knocked out of the rankings. I am loving Sumudaerji, though, in this fight, and I think he can pick him apart on the feet. I could see Sumudaerji earning the knockout.

Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura- In this fight, Aoriqileng is okay on the feet, and he does like to find the knockout. Kai Asakura is coming off a knockout win after not looking so good. On the feet, Kai Asakura is a fun fighter to watch. This fight is going to be handled on the feet solely. I believe Kai Asakura will find the knockout and will find the chin.

Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes- The Co-Main Event! Yan Xiaonan has looked good recently, but we haven't seen her in a minute. Denise Gomes is going to look for the takedowns, but you can't take her for granted on the feet. Yan Xiaonan needs to keep this fight at her pace. The striking is interesting for Yan Xiaonan. In this fight, Yan Xiaonan should smoothly get a decision.

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong- The Main Event! Home fight for Song Yadong. In this fight, Song Yadong will need to outwork Umar Nurmagomedov in the cardio aspect. We have seen Umar Nurmagomedov slow down in fights. Song Yadong's path to victory is the knockout. I don't see the knockout happening, though. Umar Nurmagomedov should cruise to a decision win. I wouldn't be surprised if he earned a submission win either.