Two bantamweight fighters compete to become the top contender in the division. Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong face off when the UFC heads to Shanghai, China on Saturday morning.
Song (23-9-1, 1 NC) is 2-2 in his last four fights. Ranked sixth in the bantamweight rankings, he has traded wins and losses against some of the top fighters within the division. He looks to finally earn a title shot.
Nurmagomedov (20-1) failed to capture the UFC bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili. Since then, he has won two straight, and the Dagestani, ranked second, looks to fight for gold once again. Also on the card, former contender Yan Xiaonan returns to action, while the dynamic Kai Asakura aims for his second UFC win.
The Sporting News breaks down everything you need to know to bet on the UFC Shanghai main card, including odds for each fight, the most popular betting markets and best bets. Plus, new users can bet $5 on UFC Shanghai and get $200 in Bonus Bets instantly at DraftKings Sportsbook.
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The following odds are all courtesy of the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong (Bantamweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Umar Nurmagomedov | -5.5 (-170) | O 4.5 (-220) | -600 |
| Song Yadong | +5.5 (+125) | U 4.5 (+170) | +440 |
Nurmagomedov vs. Song prediction
Song lands 4.34 significant strikes per minute and has a 43% strike accuracy mark. He averages 0.82 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. When he’s on point, he can punish the competition with strikes. However, his losses have been against some of the elite in the division, where he’s fallen short in striking. He must dig deep to get over the hump.
Nurmagomedov has won two straight since losing to Merab Dvalishvili, getting taken down seven times. He recovered by landing 11 takedowns against Mario Bautista. Umar averages 4.03 takedowns landed and aims to return to title contention.
Best bet
Song has what it takes to pull off the upset, but he has been disappointing when it matters. Nurmagomedov will use his ground game to smother Song. It’s not believed he will be aggressive outside the takedowns, seeing how Song has never been submitted. But he will have enough control time to secure the win.
Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes (Strawweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Yan Xiaonan | -3.5 (+150) | O 2.5 (-298) | -142 |
| Denise Gomes | +3.5 (-205) | U 2.5 (+220) | +120 |
Yan vs. Gomes prediction
Yan is 2-2 in her last four fights and 1-1 since losing in a strawweight title fight. She lands 4.69 significant strikes per minute, and averages 0.84 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Gomes, who has won four straight, lands 4.43 significant strikes and averages 1.45 takedowns landed. Yan is a true veteran and may be too polished for Gomes, but the latter proved she could beat veterans against Tecia Pennington.
Best bet
Yan has seen better days, and though she aims to fight for gold again, has she adapted to aggressive fighters? Gomes’ stock is as high as it has ever been. Her grappling and confidence could help squeak by a win against Yan.
Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura (Bantamweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Aoriqileng | +7.5 (+165) | O 2.5 (+175) | +350 |
| Kai Asakura | -7.5 (-225) | U 2.5 (-230) | -455 |
Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura prediction
Aoriqileng is 1-2 in his last three fights. “The Mongolian Murderer” lands 4.40 significant strikes per minute and averages 1.11 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. He does take damage, absorbing 5.55 significant strikes. A former RIZIN champion, Asakura finally won his first octagon bout in May. He lands 2.53 significant strikes and has 14 knockout wins. He appears ready to take over.
Best bet
Aoriqileng has gotten some good wins, but Asakura is a different kind of opponent. The latter is a dynamic striker who should provide plenty of damage to Aoriqileng and gain momentum in the bantamweight division.
Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji (Flyweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Alex Perez | +3.5 (-105) | O 2.5 (-105) | +180 |
| Sumudaerji | -3.5 (-130) | U 2.5 (-125) | -218 |
Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji prediction
The fight is a rematch from May, ending in a no-contest after an accidental low blow by Mudaerji. Before, Mudaerji landed 26 significant strikes and a takedown.
Mudaerji lands 4.40 strikes per minute and averages 0.76 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Perez lands 4.22 significant strikes and averages 2.07 takedowns landed. Was the fight going to be in Mudaerji’s favor before the no-contest outcome?
Best bet
Perez has had quite an odd career, from injuries to wild finishes. Mudaerji has remained consistent despite a few losses. Given how his stock was up in the first fight, it’s hard to imagine it being different in the rematch.
Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr. (Light Heavyweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Liu Ce | -7.5 (-155) | O 1.5 (+160) | -185 |
| Levi Rodrigues Jr. | +7.5 (+115) | U 1.5 (-210) | +154 |
Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr. prediction
A former K-1 kickboxing champion, Liu was supposed to fight Junior Tafa. He’s won three MMA fights via knockout. Rodrigues, who recently served a NSAC suspension, has yet to win a fight in the octagon and has been taken out twice.
Best bet
Liu has the height and reach advantage. He could impress with his kickboxing. As Rodrigues has looked flat in his last few outings, Liu should get the win, possibly in brutal fashion.
Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas (Flyweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Bilal Hasan | -3.5 (-360) | O 1.5 (-160) | -800 |
| Nilson Rojas | +3.5 (+250) | U 1.5 (+124) | +550 |
Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas prediction
Hasan landed 21 significant strikes in his Dana White’s Contender Series debut. He’s won seven fights via knockout. Rojas has won seven fights via knockout and makes his UFC debut. It’s a bout between two hungry fighters ready to make a statement. Who wants it more?
Best bet
As we have seen (hello Bella Mir), not everything goes as planned when you enter the octagon. However, Hasan looked dynamic in his octagon debut and should produce a flashy knockout win to start the main card.
Full UFC Shanghai card
Main Card
- Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong; Bantamweights
- Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes; Strawweights
- Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura; Bantamweights
- Alex Perez vs. Su Mudaerji; Flyweights
- Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr.; Light Heavyweights
- Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas; Flyweights
Prelims
- Namsrai Batbayar vs. Andre Lima; Flyweights
- Rei Tsuruya vs. Kevin Borjas; Flyweights
- Xiao Long vs. Francesco Nuzzi; Bantamweights
- Jack Jenkins vs. Sean Woodson; Featherweights
- Lawrence Lui vs. Hector Santiago; Bantamweights
- Xiong Jingnan vs. Julia Polastri; Strawweights
- Ding Meng vs. Cameron Nelson; Welterweights
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