UFC Shanghai Weigh-ins: Nurmagomedov vs. Song in Bantamweight Showdown

The scales are done. The talking can stop. Shanghai is getting a genuine bantamweight crossroads fight.

With just over 24 hours to go before UFC Shanghai erupts inside Shanghai Indoor Stadium, former title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov and home favorite Song Yadong both made weight for their 135-pound main event, clearing the final hurdle for Saturday night’s Paramount+ card.

Nurmagomedov came in at 135.5 pounds, half a pound under the non-title limit. Song, carrying the expectations of a nation, hit 136 on the nose. No drama, no delay. Just two elite bantamweights locked in for a fight that could reshape the title picture at 135.

Strawweights on the rise

The co-main event also held firm. Yan Xiaonan, one of China’s most accomplished strawweights, registered 115.5 pounds for her 115-pound clash with Denise Gomes, who made championship weight at 115. Both are chasing a shot at the division’s elite, and both treated the weigh-in like business: sharp, composed, on target.

The main card offers more than just title implications. It carries a clear theme: fast, technical, high-volume violence.

Aoriqileng weighed in at 135.5 pounds for his all-action bantamweight showdown with Kai Asakura, whose weight was not yet listed at the time of the results but is expected to be finalized before the fighters walk. At flyweight, Sumudaerji hit 125 exactly for his bout against Alex Perez, whose number was also pending. At light heavyweight, Levi Rodrigues Jr. and Ce Liu both came in at 206 pounds, right on the non-title limit at 205. The main-card flyweight opener saw Bilal Hasan at 124.5 pounds, with Nilson Rojas’ figure still to be confirmed.

Main card – UFC Shanghai (Paramount+)

• 135 lbs.: Umar Nurmagomedov (135.5) vs. Yadong Song (136)
• 115 lbs.: Xiaonan Yan (115.5) vs. Denise Gomes (115)
• 135 lbs.: Aoriqileng (135.5) vs. Kai Asakura
• 125 lbs.: Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji (125)
• 205 lbs.: Levi Rodrigues Jr. (206) vs. Ce Liu (206)
• 125 lbs.: Bilal Hasan (124.5) vs. Nilson Rojas

Local hopes and hungry prospects on the prelims

If the main card carries the star power, the prelims bring the intrigue.

China, Japan, Mongolia, and beyond are all represented on a card that clearly leans into the region’s emerging talent. Flyweights Andre Lima and Namsrai Batbayar are set to open the night, with both still awaiting official numbers on the scale when the early results dropped.

Japan’s Rei Tsuruya hit 125 pounds even for his meeting with Kevin Borjas, who also made 125. At bantamweight, Long Xiao weighed in at 135, while Francesco Nuzzi came in at 136, using every ounce of the one-pound allowance.

Featherweights Jack Jenkins and Sean Woodson are locked in at 145.5 and an unlisted mark respectively, a clash that promises rangy striking and sharp counters. At 135, Lawrence Lui (135.5) and Hector Santiago (135) both made weight, setting up a clean stylistic matchup between volume and precision.

Strawweight veteran Jingnan Xiong is in against Julia Polastri, with both still awaiting posted weights, while welterweights Meng Ding and Cam Nelson each hit 170 pounds flat, sealing a hometown showcase for Ding against a dangerous visitor.

Prelims – UFC Shanghai (Paramount+)

• 125 lbs.: Andre Lima vs. Namsrai Batbayar
• 125 lbs.: Rei Tsuruya (125) vs. Kevin Borjas (125)
• 135 lbs.: Long Xiao (135) vs. Francesco Nuzzi (136)
• 145 lbs.: Jack Jenkins (145.5) vs. Sean Woodson
• 135 lbs.: Lawrence Lui (135.5) vs. Hector Santiago (135)
• 115 lbs.: Jingnan Xiong vs. Julia Polastri
• 170 lbs.: Meng Ding (170) vs. Cam Nelson (170)

The promotion, acting as its own athletic commission for this Shanghai event, allows a one-pound allowance in all non-title fights, and the numbers reflect fighters pushing right up to that edge.

Now the scales are out of the way, the equation is simple. A rising contender from Dagestan, a proven finisher from China, a packed arena in Shanghai, and a bantamweight division that never waits for anyone.

Who leaves China as the man the rest of the 135ers have to chase?