Song trains with Georgian Olympic champions to neutralise Nurmagomedov's wrestling at UFC Shanghai

Yadong Song has taken his preparation for UFC Shanghai to unusual lengths, travelling to Georgia to train with Olympic and world champion wrestlers ahead of his bantamweight clash with Umar Nurmagomedov.

The Chinese 135-pounder sought out grapplers who know the wrestling system used by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team — the same foundation that has made Umar one of the most feared grapplers in the division. Song says the sessions gave him specific tools to counter whatever Nurmagomedov brings to the mat.

“Before the camp start, I went to Georgia to train with the Olympic champs, world champs,” Song said. “They teach me a lot and they know what Khabib’s team does. So, they teach me some tricks. I feel super ready for this fight.”

Song is no stranger to grappling himself, but he is candid about where he expects the fight to play out. His preference is to keep the contest on the feet, where he has built a reputation as one of the more explosive strikers in the bantamweight division. That said, he is not looking to avoid the ground entirely.

“Umar is a very tough guy,” Song said. “Even everybody knows he’s a very good grappler. So, I just prefer to use striking… But if you want to grapple, let’s grapple. Doesn’t matter.”

The bout at UFC Shanghai carries significant title implications. Song has made clear that a victory would, in his view, earn him a shot at the bantamweight championship, adding an extra layer of stakes to an already compelling matchup between two of the division’s elite talents.