Zabit Magomedsharipov: Umar Nurmagomedov KO Was 'Lucky Punch'
Zabit Magomedsharipov says Song Yadong's KO of Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Shanghai was a lucky punch, not a sign of a bigger problem.
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Zabit Magomedsharipov says Song Yadong's knockout of Umar Nurmagomedov came down to bad luck, not a real crack in his countryman's game. Nurmagomedov suffered his second professional defeat, and the first finish of his career, when Song stopped him with a right uppercut in the second round of their UFC Shanghai main event on Aug. 29.
What Zabit Magomedsharipov Said About The Nurmagomedov Knockout
Magomedsharipov, speaking at the ACBJJ 22 press conference ahead of his own submission grappling match, waved off any suggestion that the finish exposed a deeper flaw in Nurmagomedov's approach. "I believe Umar will be back. I see no problem there," Magomedsharipov said. "Anyone can experience that. It is what it is. I think it was bad luck. He was well prepared for the fight and I think it was a lucky punch. It may happen to anyone and no one is safe there."
That take fits the broader shock around the result. Nurmagomedov went into UFC Shanghai as a heavy betting favorite, and the manner of the loss, a single uppercut in the second round, was jarring given how durable he'd looked across his career.
What The Loss Means For Nurmagomedov's Title Path
Nurmagomedov fell out of bantamweight title contention with the knockout loss. Song, meanwhile, used the upset to call for a shot at gold, with his sights set on the belt that will be on the line between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333.
For bettors, the result is a reminder of how fast a betting favorite's stock can flip in a 135-pound division that's suddenly crowded at the top. Nurmagomedov was priced as a clear favorite going in, and books will need to see how he responds before anyone lays heavy juice on him again. Song's stock, by contrast, jumps immediately given his own title callout, and any future line involving him will likely reflect that newfound leverage.
Magomedsharipov's read, that this was a freak finish rather than a sign Nurmagomedov is fading, matters for how sportsbooks and matchmakers treat him going forward. If the industry views this as an outlier rather than a trend, expect Nurmagomedov to still be treated as a live threat whenever he returns, even after dropping out of the immediate title picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Umar Nurmagomedov lose to Song Yadong?
Song Yadong stopped Umar Nurmagomedov with a right uppercut in the second round of their UFC Shanghai main event on Aug. 29, marking the first finish loss of Nurmagomedov's career.
What did Zabit Magomedsharipov say about the Nurmagomedov knockout?
Zabit Magomedsharipov called the finish a 'lucky punch' and said he believes Umar Nurmagomedov will bounce back, saying any fighter can experience a fluke result like that.
What is next for the UFC bantamweight title picture after Song Yadong's win?
Song Yadong called for a title shot after upsetting Umar Nurmagomedov, with the bantamweight belt set to be contested between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333.
