Usman Nurmagomedov Denies Trying To Elbow Song Yadong After Brother’s Defeat

Usman Nurmagomedov (22-0) issued a statement following a controversial incident following UFC Shanghai’s main event this past weekend.

Song Yadong (24-9) secured a huge upset win, knocking out the number 2 ranked bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov (20-2) in the second round. During Yadong’s celebration, Usman’s brother, PFL lightweight champion Umar Nurmagomedov, leaped over the Octagon to seemingly assist his defeated, unconscious brother. In doing so, he collided with Yadong Song and could be seen attempting to throw what looked like a spinning elbow to Song, which he has been heavily criticized for.

Usman implored fans reacting negatively towards him, telling those making accusations, “to calm down.”

“The claim that I supposedly wanted to hit his opponent … if I had wanted to, I would have hit him.”

The unbeaten Usman (22-0), who fought out his PFL contract on July 31 with a round 1 stoppage victory, is currently in an exclusive negotiating window with the PFL, however he recently turned down a $2 million dollar offer to re-sign with the promotion, fueling speculation that after his exclusive window concludes on October 31, he will join the UFC.