SAN JOSE, Calif. – Usman Nurmagomedov’s resume continued its expansion Friday with a monumental win.
Lightweight champion Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) backed up why oddsmakers had him as much as a 25-1 favorite to beat former UFC and WEC champ Benson Henderson (30-12 MMA, 7-7 BMMA) in the Bellator 292 main event. The champ landed a brilliantly timed and placed question mark kick that knocked Henderson to the canvas.
That was the beginning of what ultimately became a rear-naked choke for Nurmagomedov to retain his title and move on into the Bellator lightweight grand prim semifinals. Henderson announced his retirement after the loss.