Usman Nurmagomedov remains 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 principle occasion of Bellator San Diego — the primary defeat for Shabliy in practically 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 tested positive for a banned substance and was subsequently suspended for six months.
Shabliy bought off to a very good begin, touchdown a stable proper hand as his greatest weapon. Nurmagomedov ended up getting beneath Shabliy to land an enormous takedown, however the challenger was in a position to 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 putting 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 instantly in Nurmagomedov’s eye. To the champ’s credit score, he bought proper again in there. Referee Mike Beltran issued a stern warning to Shabliy earlier than the motion resumed. With a little bit 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 ideal 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 group in attendance. Nurmagomedov held on to enhance his report to 18-0, with one choose 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 grow to be 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 outcome 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 Finish
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 Finish
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
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