UFC Shanghai went down last weekend inside SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China, featuring a bantamweight bout that saw Song Yadong score a shocking knockout win over Umar Nurmagomedov. In the co-main event, Denise Gomes brutally knocked out Yan Xiaonan in a women's strawweight bout, while Kai Asakura defeated Aoriqileng, also via knockout.
Song Yadong
Who He Should Face Next: Mario Bautista
Song will crash the Top 5 after his epic upset win over Nurmagomedov, meaning he could be one more big win away from a title fight. Sean O'Malley is sitting at No. 3 and will likely face the winner of Yan vs. Dvalishvili 3. Bautista, sitting at No. 4, is on a two-fight win streak and 10-1 over his last 11 fights. He was last seen defeating Cory Sandhagen last month, making a showdown between Song and Bautista a logical next step.
Denise Gomes
Who She Should Face Next: Tatiana Suarez
Gomes likely punched her ticket to the Top 5 following her huge stoppage win over Xiaonan, which means she should take the No. 4 spot. A fight against Suarez (No. 3) makes sense to see who can take the next big step toward a title shot. Suarez is currently on a two-fight win streak and was last seen defeating Loopy Godinez at UFC 327.
Kai Asakura
Who He Should Face Next: Bryce Mitchell
After two straight losses to start his UFC career, Asakura has turned it around with two straight wins, the latest coming via knockout over Aoriqileng. The move back up to bantamweight has proven to be the right choice, and he could very well crack the Top 15. Mitchell is on a two-fight win streak, most recently submitting Santiago Luna this past June. If Asakura can get an impressive finish over "Thug Nasty," a spot in the Top 10 could be in his near future.
Sumudaerji
Who He Should Face Next: Alessandro Costa
Sumudaerji is now unbeaten in his last five fights after defeating Alex Perez via unanimous decision, getting him one step closer to the Top 10 in the flyweight division. Costa is another surging 125-pound fighter jockeying for position in the Top 15, winning his last three fights.
Liu Ce
Who He Should Face Next: Ibo Aslan
Ce had an exceptional UFC debut, defeating Levi Rodrigues Jr. via first-round knockout. All four of his wins have come via (technical) knockout. Aslan is on a three-fight losing streak after kicking off his UFC career with two straight wins. If he cannot get a win over a newbie like Ce, he could earn his way out of the promotion. For Ce, a fight against Aslan offers a good measuring stick.
Bilal Hasan
Who He Should Face Next: Andre Lima
Hasan impressed in his Octagon debut, locking down a second-round knockout win over Nilson Rojas, moving him to 10-0 as a professional. He has already called out Lima, who also competed at the event, defeating Namsrai Batbayar via third-round submission. It is a decent matchup featuring two strikers who love to stand and bang.
