SAN JOSE, Calif. – For his first try at a title protection, Bellator’s light-weight champion is a betting favourite of just about baffling proportions.
Usman Nurmagomedov (16-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) is a 25-1 favourite towards challenger Benson Henderson (30-11 MMA, 7-6 BMMA) within the Bellator 292 fundamental occasion, which doubles as a quarterfinal combat within the begin of the promotion’s light-weight grand prix.
A quantity as huge as -2500 seldom is seen in males’s MMA, and positively not in title fights. That it comes towards Henderson, a former UFC and WEC light-weight champ, makes Nurmagomedov look all of the extra spectacular.
However he’s not occupied with the percentages or any form of sleight by those that set them towards Henderson, who has had ups and downs in Bellator, however at the moment is again on he upswing.
“Whether or not in MMA or in life basically, I by no means dismiss individuals and their achievements,” Nurmagomedov informed MMA Junkie by way of an interpreter at Wednesday’s media day. “The truth that he (had a dropping skid) might have been a number of causes. Plus, individuals are likely to, in the event that they’re good, study from their errors. So in no way do I wish to underestimate him. I nonetheless contemplate him a robust opponent. He’s a robust fighter.”
Nurmagomedov, a cousin of former UFC light-weight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, received the title this previous November at Bellator 288 in Chicago with a choice over Patricky Freire. His first tried protection is available in a match format, however he mentioned he’s not scouting the remainder of the sphere.
“I all the time concentrate on the subsequent opponent,” Nurmagomedov mentioned. “I by no means plan forward. I by no means attempt to look previous my opponents. It’s one man at a time. It doesn’t actually matter for me as a result of I ultimately must undergo all of them, anyway. On this case, Benson is a good matchup as a result of he’s a fantastic opponent. He has nice expertise and he’s recognized. It’s going to be good for me, for my resume.”
Bellator 292 takes place Friday at SAP Heart in San Jose, Calif. The primary card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Take a look at Nurmagomedov’s full media day interview within the video above.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for Bellator 292.
