Home of Fight Expert Picks: UFC 330
UFC Shanghai brings a compelling mix of title-picture relevance, regional stars and stylistic volatility to the Oriental Sports Center on Saturday. The six-fight main card begins at 6 a.m. ET, headlined by a pivotal bantamweight clash between Umar Nurmagomedov and China’s Song Yadong.
Nurmagomedov remains one of the division’s most difficult tactical problems: a rangy, composed striker whose clinch work, reactive takedowns and relentless top control can erase an opponent’s preferred rhythm. Song, performing in front of a home crowd, counters with genuine knockout power, sharp boxing combinations and the urgency to make the fight uncomfortable early. If Song can stay off the fence and punish Umar’s entries, he has the kind of speed and finishing threat that makes this matchup dangerous.
The co-main event features former strawweight title challenger Yan Xiaonan against Brazil’s Denise Gomes. Yan’s clean, disciplined boxing and veteran poise meet Gomes’ pressure-heavy attack, giving China another meaningful opportunity for a hometown statement.
Elsewhere, Kai Asakura faces Aoriqileng in a bantamweight collision built for violence, while Alex Perez battles China’s Sumudaerji at flyweight. Light heavyweight prospect Levi Rodrigues Jr. meets Liu Ce, and Bilal Hasan opens the main card against Nilson Rojas. With several Chinese athletes in prominent slots, UFC Shanghai has the ingredients for an electric early-morning card.
Who do our experts like to get their hands raised in these matchups?
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong
Nolan – Umar Nurmagomedov
- “Unfortunately I believe this Is another spot where Umar can wrestle for 25 minutes, stay safe, and rack up control time to a win.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Umar Nurmagomedov
- Despite us knowing that Song is a tough outing for many, he’s never been able to crack the elite in their prime, with wins mainly against older opponents. Song’s durability will make it hard for Umar to find the finish.”
The Fight Analyst – Umar Nurmagomedov
- “Umar is just the more complete fighter. His range management will help him stay out of boxing range and when Song over commits he will level change to take him down, racking up control time and taking the win on the scorecards.”
Austin Swaim – Song Yadong
- “From a betting perspective, this fight is a no-brainer. High-level bantamweight bouts are routinely close, competitive, and go the distance. Song Yadong’s excellent takedown D (73%) gives him a path to compete in this fight with an entire arena behind him. This feels, to me, like an even more winnable version of the Islam-Garry matchup where damage can quickly make up the gap on empty control.”
Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes
Nolan – Yan Xiaonan
- “Yan is big for the weight class and has amazing striking. Denise Gomes has power, but the way to beat Yan is on the ground and I don’t think Gomes has the ground game to win here.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Yan Xiaonan
- “Despite her age, Xiaonan is quick, durable and able to find opportunities to land shots from the outside. Experience will make the biggest difference.
The Fight Analyst – Denise Gomes
- “At age 37, I don’t believe Yan is the same fighter that she once was in her prime. She has been taking more damage than usual which doesn’t bode well against an aggressive striker like Gomes. I expect Gomes to push a pace and just land the more damaging shots to get the nod on the scorecards.”
Austin Swaim – Denise Gomes
- “I like the Brazilian to make it five straight wins in the co-main. Yan Xiaonan has appeared just once since the start of 2025 with decisive losses to the former champ and a top contender. At 37 with no belt in her future, I don’t really see the upside in her performance compared to Denise Gomes’ unusual power for 115 and grappling upside.”
Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura
Nolan – Kai Asakura
- “Kai is starting to get fights that will play out on the feet. Those styles of fights always favor him, and this one is no different.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Kai Asakura
- “We have seen Aoriqileng tagged and knocked out before from less powerful opponents. Asakura’s precision and step-down in opposition will help him again.”
The Fight Analyst – Kai Asakura
- “Kai Asakura is set up to have another highlight reel finish this weekend in front of the Shanghai crowd.”
Austin Swaim – Kai Asakura
- “I still don’t love this move to 135 for Asakura, but they’ve been matching him up better. Aoriqileng (1.11 takedowns per 15) wrestles a little but is pretty harmless on the mat, which should allow Asakura’s body work and general speed to have moment of success at striking range. I’m going with a decision due to Aoriqileng’s historical toughness when he’s fighting at home.”
Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji
Nolan – Sumudaerji
- “Sumudaerji was looking good in their first meeting before the nut shot. Su knows how to beat him, is entering his prime, and has the tools to win this.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Sumudaerji
- “We saw how the first fight went, despite the unfortunate ending. Ultimately, Perez took his way out in a fight he was getting dominated in.”
The Fight Analyst – Sumudaerji
- “Sumudaerji was my pick when these two first fought and things were going great until the groin shot. Sumudaerji will still be the faster fighter with more tools at his exposal and should officially come away with the win this weekend.”
Austin Swaim – Sumudaerji
- “The secret is out about Sumudaerji’s huge speed and length advantages at distance over Alex Perez, but I do still the veteran can compete if he takes an extremely heavy wrestling approach. I just don’t think it’ll be enough to get the nod in China — and Perez has made mistakes with his neck placement before.”
Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues
Nolan – Levi Rodrigues
- “This line is too wide. Both guys can get hurt here, but Levi has already made his debut and is looking to bounce back. The pressure is on Liu in his home country.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Levi Rodrigues
- “KO Power, experience will make a difference here after a rough debut for Levi.”
The Fight Analyst – Liu Ce
- “I expect Liu to be the faster and more technical striker in this fight against Rodrigues. As long as he can stay upright he should add another finish to his resume in front of his home crowd.”
Austin Swaim – Liu Ce
- “I really like the fundamentals of Ce Liu as a 6’5″, coordinated kickboxer with fast attacks. At this stage, everything he throws does feel a little naked, and his grappling is a major question. I think I’m saving those concerns for another day, though, when Levi Rodrigues Jr. was a regional can-crusher whose gas tank expired in about six minutes against Felipe Franco after returning from a PED suspension.”
Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas
Nolan – Bilal Hasan
- “Hasan is so fast and quick with his hands to where he’s going to have that edge against most people, Rojas included. I think Bilal is the goods and this is another spot he can shine.04:05 PM”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Bilal Hasan
- “Rojas is a tough outing, therefore I don’t think Hasan will find the finish easily, though will accumulate damage over three rounds.”
The Fight Analyst – Bilal Hasan
- “Hasan is ready for a top-15 ranked opponent already, and this is just one step closer to him getting that opportunity. Look for another highlight reel finish for Hasan this weekend.”
Austin Swaim – Bilal Hasan
- “One of UFC’s best prospects makes a quick turnaround, and though Nilson Rojas — a talented teammate of Kevin Borjas and Rodrigo Vera — is no pushover, it’s hard to bet against Hasan’s speed, versatility, and high-level experience for a prospect of his age. I expect this fight goes much longer than Hasan’s debut, which should be a delight for us.”scre
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