Alexander Shabliy is feeling short-changed heading into his Bellator Champions Series: Paris headliner vs. lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
Prior to PFL’s buyout of the Bellator brand, the matchup between Shabliy (24-3 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) and Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) was slated to serve as the $1 million final for the Bellator grand prix, which began with eight fights.
There was uncertainty about the bout’s status following the merger of the two companies, but a degree of resolution happened when it followed through with the original final matchup for May 17 at Accor Arena in Paris. There’s a huge difference now, however, because Shabliy claims he has been given no assurances that the winner of his clash with Nurmagomedov will still be rewarded with the seven-figure prize.
