Usman Nurmagomedov Defends Post-Fight Actions After UFC Shanghai Incident

Usman Nurmagomedov has addressed the criticism he faced following the UFC Shanghai event, specifically concerning his actions after his brother Umar's knockout loss to Song Yadong.

Umar Nurmagomedov, who was considered a significant favorite, suffered his first professional MMA knockout defeat in the second round. Following the bout, Usman Nurmagomedov entered the Octagon to check on his brother, an action that led to some controversy. Reports suggested that Song Yadong nearly collided with Usman, and there were speculations that Usman might have considered striking Yadong.

In response to the backlash, Nurmagomedov took to Instagram to defend his behavior. He stated, "Only what is destined for us will befall us. In any situation, Alhamdulillah. People make such a big deal out of this. They’d be better off calming down." He dismissed the accusations of intending to hit Yadong, asserting, "If I had wanted to, I would have hit him."

Nurmagomedov directed his defense towards his critics, calling them "mean-spirited, petty, and envious people." He suggested that their judgment stems from a lack of understanding or appreciation for family bonds. "Your problem is that you’ve never had, and never will have, an understanding of or love for family," he commented. "If you don’t know what it means for a brother to be a brother, then it’s not me you should feel sorry for—it’s yourselves."

The incident has also drawn attention to UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, who has been criticized for supporting Nurmagomedov despite the latter's breach of Octagon protocol. Some fans felt that Nurmagomedov's actions detracted from Yadong's victory. However, Usman Nurmagomedov remains focused on his own career prospects, believing a bantamweight title shot is in his future.