Song Yadong rises in divisional rankings after shocking KO

          Song Yadong produced his biggest win in the Chinese fighter's first appearance in Shanghai since his UFC debut at age 19 in 2017. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
          • Brett OkamotoSep 1, 2026, 02:00 PM
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          Song Yadong scored the biggest victory of his career on Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Shanghai, knocking out onetime men's bantamweight title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov. The stunning second-round finish as a nearly 5-1 underdog propelled Song up three spots into the top four in the ESPN divisional rankings.

          Nurmagomedov, who previously owned the No. 4 position at 135-pounds, slips down one spot, as do the other two fighters who had been ranked ahead of Song, Mario Bautista and Cory Sandhagen.

          That was this week's only movement in the divisional rankings.

          Here are the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings and a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes.

          Results are current; rankings as of Sept. 1. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed over the past 12 months or must have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters who have been dropped for inactivity can be reinstated only after they compete.

          HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

          LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

          MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

          WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

          LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

          FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

          MEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

          MEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

          WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

          WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

          STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)