Cormier Defends Usman Nurmagomedov After UFC Shanghai Cage Jump

Daniel Cormier has pushed back against suggestions that Usman Nurmagomedov attempted to strike Song Yadong after jumping into the cage at UFC Shanghai on Saturday night.

Usman vaulted the fence moments after Song stopped his brother Umar with a second-round uppercut in the bantamweight main event. As Song ran across the octagon in celebration, Usman appeared to throw a spinning elbow in his direction, though no contact was made. Cormier told viewers on his YouTube channel that Usman did not elbow Song and rejected what he called conspiracy theories about the incident, per MMA Fighting.

Why Cormier Is Giving Usman Grace

The former two-division UFC champion acknowledged that Usman violated protocol by entering the cage but argued the emotional response was understandable given the circumstances. "If there's anyone that you care about immensely and you want to rush to their side in that moment, it is your brother," Cormier said, according to MMA Mania. "This is his actual brother." Usman and Umar are blood brothers, not cousins as is sometimes assumed when the extended Nurmagomedov family is discussed.

Cormier noted that UFC officials instituted strict rules about cage entries after the Khabib Nurmagomedov-Conor McGregor brawl at UFC 229, when chaos erupted after the lightweight title fight. He said the promotion cannot control chaotic situations once they begin, which is why Usman should not have jumped in. Still, the AKA teammate said he was inclined to give Usman grace after watching his brother get knocked out in that fashion.

Song continued his celebration without incident and later approached Khabib and the rest of the team to show respect. The UFC has not announced any disciplinary action against Usman, who currently holds the PFL lightweight title and is reportedly in an exclusive negotiation window with that promotion.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Daniel Cormier defends Usman Nurmagomedov after altercation at UFC Shanghai: ‘He did not attack Song Yadong’
• MMA Mania — Daniel Cormier defends Usman Nurmagomedov after UFC Shanghai shenanigans: ‘I’m inclined to give him grace’