Song On Training With Georgian Olympians For Nurmagomedov

Yadong Song traveled to Georgia to train with Olympic and world champions before his UFC Shanghai bantamweight bout against Umar Nurmagomedov.

The Chinese bantamweight spent time working with Georgian wrestlers who understand the grappling system used by the Nurmagomedov camp, according to Sherdog. Song said he learned techniques specifically designed to counter the approach Khabib Nurmagomedov's team employs.

Song Prepared For Grappling War If Needed

While Song plans to keep the fight standing, he told media he has no issue going to the mat if Nurmagomedov pushes the action there. "Umar is a very tough guy," Song said, per the report. "Even everybody knows he's a very good grappler. So, I just prefer to use striking... But if you want to grapple, let's grapple. Doesn't matter."

Song credited the Georgian camp with giving him new tools ahead of the Shanghai card. "Before the camp start, I went to Georgia to train with the Olympic champs, world champs," he said. "They teach me a lot and they know what Khabib's team does. So, they teach me some tricks. I feel super ready for this fight."

The bout with Nurmagomedov takes place at UFC Shanghai, with Song viewing a win as his clearest path to a title shot in the 135-pound division.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Yadong Song went to Georgia to prepare for Umar Nurmagomedov’s wrestling