Makhachev and Muhammad back Umar Nurmagomedov after first career stoppage loss

Umar Nurmagomedov suffered the first stoppage loss of his professional career at UFC Shanghai on Saturday, knocked out by Yadong Song’s uppercut in the second round, and the Dagestani’s closest allies in the sport were quick to respond.

Nurmagomedov (20-2) entered the bout as a heavy favourite against Song (24-9-1), but the Chinese fighter silenced those expectations emphatically, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and handing Nurmagomedov a defeat unlike any he had previously experienced across 22 professional fights.

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was among the first to post publicly, sharing a photo of himself with Nurmagomedov on Instagram. “We are happy with what has been decreed for us,” Makhachev wrote. “Alhamdulillah. There are many challenges on the way to the goal, but I’m sure you can handle it, brother.”

Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who has a close relationship with Nurmagomedov and the wider Dagestani team, also addressed the result on X — and used the moment to pre-empt the criticism he expected to follow. “The thing I hate most about this result is knowing people will attack Umar and kick him while he’s down,” Muhammad wrote. “He’s genuinely one of the quietest, humblest fighters you’ll ever meet. Keep your head up, brother. This sport has the highest highs and the lowest lows. You’ll be back.”

The loss drops Nurmagomedov to 20-2 overall and raises significant questions about his trajectory in the UFC bantamweight division, where he had been widely regarded as a future title contender. Song’s victory, delivered in front of his home crowd, marks one of the most notable upsets in the division in recent memory and the most significant result of Nurmagomedov’s career to date — for all the wrong reasons.

How the 27-year-old responds, and when he returns to competition, remains to be seen.