Usman Nurmagomedov continues to be the Bellator light-weight champion.
The 26-year-old returned to motion for the primary time in 11 months and retained his title with a unanimous resolution win towards Alexander Shabliy in the primary occasion of Bellator San Diego — the primary defeat for Shabliy in almost eight years. This additionally marked Nurmagomedov’s first win since a victory over Brent Primus in October 2023 was overturned to a no-contest when Nurmagomedov examined optimistic for a banned substance and was subsequently suspended for six months.
Shabliy acquired off to begin, touchdown a stable proper hand as his greatest weapon. Nurmagomedov ended up getting beneath Shabliy to land a giant takedown, however the challenger was capable of get again up shortly. Shabliy continued to make the most of endurance with fast and crisp counter punches, whereas the champion used leg kicks as his greatest hanging maneuver in a aggressive first spherical.
With an intense Khabib Nurmagomedov in his nook, Usman continued to combine issues up on the toes and with takedown makes an attempt in Spherical 2, however Shabliy held his personal in these departments. The third spherical was a slower-paced stanza, however Nurmagomedov landed a number of leg kicks that seemed like have been taking their toll.
Shabliy landed a gorgeous mixture within the fourth spherical, however then caught his thumb immediately in Nurmagomedov’s eye. To the champ’s credit score, he acquired proper again in there. Referee Mike Beltran issued a stern warning to Shabliy earlier than the motion resumed. With somewhat below two minutes to go within the spherical, the champion stung Shabliy with a head kick and seemed for a submission, however Shabliy did an awesome job getting again to full guard.
Shabliy entered the fifth spherical needing a end, however the sense of urgency didn’t appear to be there, a lot to the chagrin of the gang in attendance. Nurmagomedov held on to enhance his document to 18-0, with one decide scoring it 50-45, and the opposite two scoring it 49-46 for the champ.
Within the co-main occasion, Lorenz Larkin solely wanted 1:53 to turn into the No. 1 contender for the Bellator welterweight title, stopping Levan Chokheli within the first spherical.
The middleweight featured bout noticed Aaron Jeffery defeat former welterweight champion Douglas Lima by way of unanimous resolution. When the end result was learn, it was met with a refrain of boos from the San Diego crowd.
Get full Bellator San Diego outcomes under.
Usman Nurmagomedov def. Alexandr Shabliy by way of unanimous resolution (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Lorenz Larkin def. Levan Chokheli by way of TKO – Spherical 1, 1:53 | Watch End
Aaron Jeffery def. Douglas Lima by way of unanimous resolution (29-28 x3)
Sumiko Inaba def. Mackenzie Stiller by way of TKO – Spherical 2, 4:25
Jora Ayvazyan def. Yancy Medeiros by way of unanimous resolution (30-27 x3)
Jordan Newman def. Imamshafi Aliev by way of unanimous resolution (30-27 x3)
Masayuki Kikuiri def. Herman Terrado by way of TKO (physique kick) – Spherical 3, 2:54
Bryce Meredith def. John MaCalolooy by way of submission (rear-naked choke) – Spherical 1, 3:15 | Watch End
Josh Hokit def. Sean Rose by way of submission (armbar) – Spherical 1, 4:58
Ashley Thiner def. Aysia Cortez by way of TKO – Spherical 2, 3:11
