Usman Nurmagomedov is still undefeated and the Bellator lightweight champion after going the distance with Alexander Shabliy.
The lightweight title bout headlined Bellator Champions Series: San Diego, which took place at Pechanga Arena. It was a chess match of a title fight, but after 25 minutes, Nurmagomedov (18-0) was declared the winner over Shabliy (24-4) with scores of 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46.
Shabliy found success early with the right hand, scoring with quick counters as Nurmagomedov pressed forward with strikes. Nurmagomeodv nearly got full control of Shabliy’s back, but rode up too high, and the remainder of the close opening round played out on the feet.
Nurmagomedov was the more active fighter offensively in Round 2, leading with strikes throughout the frame. Shabliy defended a few takedown attempts and landed a solid punch that was immediately answered.
The calculated approach continued in Round 3, with neither fighter really committing to more than one or two strikes at a time. Nurmagomedov focused on kicks to the legs and body. Shabliy got a takedown right at the bell.
Early in Round 4, Shabliy connected with a solid combination of punches. Just when he was building momentum, he eye-poked Nurmagomedov, causing a break in the action. After a short pause, the fight resumed and Nurmagomedov got back to hunting for openings.
With just over 90 seconds to go, he found it with a left head kick that hurt Shabliy.
BIG MOMENT IN THE FOURTH ROUND! 👀#BellatorSanDiego | LIVE NOW on @SportsonMAX pic.twitter.com/zogeSJ7w0b
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 8, 2024
Nurmagomedov swarmed with strikes, leading to a choke threat on the mat. The submission wasn’t there, but the champ picked up some top control time before the round ended in the clinch on the feet.
Shabliy failed to create any significant offense in Round 5, as the final five minutes ticked away with a few restless boos pouring in from the crowd.
Nurmagomedov was announced as the winner and began celebrating with his corner Khabib Nurmagomedov, Javier Mendez and Umar Nurmagomedov. During his post-fight interview, he expressed his desire for his next title fight to take place in Dubai.
"Usman is right now one of the best lightweights in the world" 🌏
Khabib Nurmagomedov joins Jimmy Smith to give his opinion on the fight and how Usman is one of the best in the world!#BellatorSanDiego pic.twitter.com/KWmH2f4zlA
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 8, 2024
With the win, Nurmagomedov picks up his second title defense. He became champion by defeating Patricky Freire at Bellator 288 in November 2022. In his first defense, Nurmagomedov submitted Benson Henderson in the first round. He then picked up a unanimous decision win over Brent Primus, but that victory was later overturned to a no contest dut to a failed drug test.
Full Bellator Champions Series: San Diego results include:
- Usman Nurmagomedov def. Alexander Shabliy via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
- Lorenz Larkin def. Levan Chokheli via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:53
- Aaron Jeffery def. Douglas Lima via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Sumiko Inaba def. Mackenzie Stiller via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:25
- Jora Ayvazyan def. Yancy Medeiros via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jordan Newman def. Imamshafi Aliev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Masayuki Kikuiri def. Herman Terrado via TKO (liver kick and punches) – Round 3, 2:54
- Bryce Meredith def. John MaCalolooy via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:18
- Josh Hokit def. Sean Rose via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:58
- Ashley Thiner def. Alysia Cortez via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:11
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event page for Bellator Champions Series: San Diego.
