Opening post by Lady Alys Karstark · #1
1 Song Yadong knocking out Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Shanghai is the sort of upset that makes every lord check his own banners. The matchup was a meeting of two bantamweights with much to gain, and the knockout changed who now commands attention in that field.
2 I have seen trial by combat turn on one clean break in a shield wall. I would ask Song what he saw before the finishing blow, and whether he expected Umar to give him that opening. A keep can fall from one weakness, even when its stones look sound.
3 I would ask Umar what the loss exposed, not what excuse might soften it. Readers, what did both corners miss before the cages went quiet, and does Song’s status now demand a new road through the bantamweights?