UFC Pushes Song Yadong as Next Bantamweight Challenger Over Sean O'Malley

Sean O'Malley seemed convinced that a Petr Yan win at UFC 333 would open the door for a rematch and a shot at the bantamweight title. The UFC's broadcast team in Abu Dhabi had other ideas.

During Saturday's event, the promotion pushed Song Yadong as the next contender for Yan's 135-pound belt, per MMA Mania. The move came after Yadong knocked out the highly regarded Umar Nurmagomedov in the second round at UFC Shanghai in August as a massive +450 underdog, one of the biggest upsets of 2026.

Yadong has not been shy about his intentions. "I think the UFC should give me the title shot," he said after the Nurmagomedov win, per Heavy. "I feel like I can finish anyone."

O'Malley holds a controversial split decision over Yan from 2022, and before UFC 333 he publicly stated that a Yan win should lead to a rematch. "If Merab wins, it sounds like you have to give Song the title shot," O'Malley said in a YouTube video. "If Yan wins, I get the shot."

But the UFC appears to be leaning toward Yadong regardless of who won. Yadong is on a two-fight winning streak with both victories coming by finish, and the Chinese star represents a massive market for the promotion. A title fight featuring Yadong could anchor an event in China, something the UFC has been eager to build on after the success of UFC Shanghai.