Nurmagomedov Maintains UFC Title Dream After Song KO

Umar Nurmagomedov insists the knockout loss to Yadong Song has not shaken his pursuit of a UFC title.

The Dagestani bantamweight entered UFC Shanghai as a heavy favorite in August but was stopped cold in round two, an upset that sent the Chinese crowd into a frenzy. Nurmagomedov told Red Corner MMA that his goals remain exactly where they were before the setback. "It would be fair to say that my ambitions have never gone down," he said.

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Nurmagomedov On Patience After Shanghai Upset

The 20-2 fighter explained that losses do not change his work ethic or long-term vision. He continues drilling every facet of his game and accepts the result as something beyond his control. "All that's left is to stay patient and keep working," Nurmagomedov told the outlet.

Song handed Nurmagomedov his second career defeat. The first came in a title bid against Merab Dvalishvili last year. Between those two losses, Nurmagomedov posted victories against Deiveson Figueiredo and Mario Bautista.

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Nurmagomedov competes this weekend in Abu Dhabi against Urijah Faber, a grappling-only contest promoted by Real American Freestyle.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Umar Nurmagomedov refuses to let Yadong Song KO loss end his UFC dream