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. Nurmagomedov was suspended for a constructive drug check stemming from his combat with
Shabliy obtained off to a very good begin, touchdown a strong proper hand as his greatest weapon. Nurmagomedov ended up getting beneath Shabliy to land a giant takedown, however the challenger was in a position to get again up shortly, and continued to make the most of persistence 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 within the nook, Nurmagomedov continued to combine issues up on the ft, 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 was touchdown fairly a number of leg kicks that appeared like have been taking their toll.
Shabliy landed a wonderful mixture within the fourth spherical, however then caught his thumb immediately in Nurmagomedov’s eye, however to the champ’s credit score, he obtained proper again in there. Referee Mike Beltran issued a stern warning to Shabliy earlier than the motion resumed. With a bit underneath two minutes to go within the spherical, the champion stung Shabliy with a head kick and appeared 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 group in attendance. Nurmagomedov would cling on to enhance his file 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 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 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
