The unlikely matchup between Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong has been creating a lot of noise on social media. Fans were excited to see this fight take place in December as they have wanted to see Nurmagomedov take on some decent competition inside the octagon for a long time. However, according to Urijah Faber, the UFC has not decided on the date of the bout yet or sent out any contracts.
Therefore, the matchup will certainly not happen this year.
Faber is the head coach of Yadong. The Chinese martial artist, who has been wreaking havoc in one of the most stacked divisions of the organization, is the perfect matchup for Nurmagomedov. Therefore, Faber likes the fight and thinks that it could happen in January or later in 2025.
In a recent sit-down with Helen Yee, the former UFC fighter said,
“We don’t have a date for that yet. I don’t think December 14th is the date that we’ve talked about. I think maybe January is what we’re looking at…..Nothing’s been signed, the date has not been agree upon.”
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It will be an interesting matchup between two rising stars in the division. The winner of this fight could go on to potentially challenge for the title. Although Umar should already be challenging for the title, Merab Dvalishvili seems less than keen on fighting him.
Dvalishvili on Umar vs Yadong
Dvalishvili recently reacted to the potential match-up between Song Yadong and Umar Nurmagomedov.
The champion sat down for an interview with MMA PROS PICK and spoke about potentially fighting the winner of Yadong vs. Nurmagomedov for the title,
“Umar wanted to fight in December, and he kept talking trash on the internet. He was calling me out for December and January. Bro, I just won the belt… Now we’ll see who’s going to fight for the belt—either the winner of this fight (Yadong vs. Nurmagomedov)”
The Georgian admitted that even ‘The Machine’ needs some rest after becoming champion. Now, that is funny since Merab had offered Sean O’Malley a rematch in November.
Calling out for a title rematch against a former champ in November who he beat easily while not wanting to take a fight against a tougher opponent a month later owing to fatigue just seems like a really amateur way of ducking!
But Umar isn’t that worried. He knows the title is somewhere in his future. Right now, he just wants to take over and surpass his brother’s impeccable 29-0 undefeated record in the UFC. So, whether in December or next year or the year after that, his name will be on that title!
