Usman Nurmagomedov returned to the Bellator cage on Saturday night determined to defend his lightweight championship against streaking sensation Alexander Shabliy.
Nurmagomedov (17-0), captured the promotion’s 155-pound crown nearly two years ago with a dominant performance against Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 288. Since then, he’s fought his way past both Benson Henderson and Brent Primus, but he faced perhaps his toughest test yet in The Golden State on Saturday night.
Shabliy (24-3) entered the bout on a nine-fight win streak, including five in a row under the Bellator banner.
Round 1
Usman Nurmagomedov gets things started with a body kick as Shabliy goes low with an attack on the champ’s lead leg. Nurmagomedov teases the takedown early and tries to go high with a kick. Nurmagomedov closes the distance and clinches up in the center of the cage, but they separate. Nurmagomedov throws a front kick and follows it up with a spinning back kick that misses the mark. Shabliy throws a heavy right, but Nurmagomedov ducks under. Shabliy throws a combination, but that allows Nurmagomedov to close in and score a takedown before the halfway point of the round.
Shabliy escapes out the back door and retakes control over the center of the cage. Nurmagomedov moves in with a combination and briefly attempts a takedown, but gives up on it. Shabliy appears to have Nurmagomedov’s timing and is counterstriking well. Nurmagomedov throws another high kick that’s blocked. Shabliy returns fire with his own kick up top. Nurmagomedov goes for a takedown late in the round, but Shabliy is just out of reach. The first ends with Shabliy lunging in looking to land a right hand.
Round 2
Usman Nurmagomedov starts things in the second with a kick to the lead leg of Shabliy. Nurmagomedov continues kicking, targeting the body, and throwing a variety of feints. Through 90 seconds, Shabliy has been fairly gun shy but begins to let loose with a few kicks going after the leg and body of Nurmagomedov. Shabliy attempts to catch Nurmagomedov closing in, but the champ ducks under once again. Nurmagomedov grabs ahold of Shabliy in the center of the cage and pushes him back to the fence, but quickly separates.
Nurmagomedov continues to stay busy while Shabliy attempts a quick takedown. Nurmagomedov fends it off but then rushes in with a right hand that takes him off balance. Regaining his footing, Nurmagomedov clinches with Shabliy against the fence. Shabliy defends and circles away with a minute left in the round.
Shabliy swings wildly and Nurmagomedov goes for another takedown, but Shabliy is out of reach. Shabliy appears to catch Nurmagomedov with a left just before the bell sounds in the second.
Round 3
As he did in the first two rounds, Nurmagomedov opens up with a few kicks. Shabliy throws a combination. Nurmagomedov’s head movement keeps him out of danger and he fires back with a kick to the lead leg of the challenger. With a lack of offense, the crowd is getting restless and showering both fighters with boos. Nurmagomedov and Shabliy continue to trade leg kicks. Shabliy goes to the body with a straight left. Nurmagomedov comes right back with a takedown attempt but appears to slip on his way in.
With 90 seconds left, both fighters appear to be taking the third round off. Nurmagomedov throws a straight right that misses. He comes right back with a winging left and an inside leg kick. Shabliy doesn’t offer anything in response. Nurmagomedov lands a nice uppercut in close, but Shabliy eats it without issue. Blood is beginning to trickle from Shabliy’s nose.
Shabliy lands a late takedown, but there’s not enough time on the clock to do anything with it.
Round 4
Very little action through the opening minute with Nurmagomedov offering a few lead leg kicks and little else. Nurmagomedov moves in and gets lit up with a nice combination from Shabliy. Nurmagomedov comes right back and Shabliy appears to land a knee, but Shabliy unintentionally pokes Nurmagomedov in the eye bringing a brief pause to the action. Referee Mike Beltran gives Shabliy a hard warning, threatening to take a point if it happens again.
With the fight back underway, Shabliy puts on the pressure but is still a little gun-shy. Shabliy lands a sharp kick to the body as we approach the halfway point of the round. The crowd is once again voicing their displeasure for the lackluster action. Shabliy is starting to move a bit more, perhaps feeling some pressure in the championship rounds. Shabliy attempts a takedown, but Nurmagomedov lands a knee up the middle before separating. Nurmagomedov uncorks a nasty body kick that appears to have Shabliy hurt.
Nurmagomedov moves in and scores a takedown, briefly teasing a guillotine choke that Shabliy quickly works his way out of. Shabliy gets Nurmagomedov into his butterfly guard and is content to hold on for dear life. Nurmagomedov goes for a heel hook, but Shabliy spins out and gets Nurmagomedov back into his guard before exploding back up. Shabliy keeps his back pinned against the fence until the bell sounds.
Round 5
Shabliy takes the center of the cage but is throwing very little offense, instead waiting for Nurmagomedov to strike first. Nurmagomedov throws a right hand and shoots in for a single leg, but Shabliy sees it coming a mile away and avoids the takedown. Nurmagomedov throws a body kick with next to nothing on it and Shabliy fires back with a calf kick. Nurmagomedov is keeping Shabliy out of range with a variety of kicks.
Shabliy lands a sneaky right hand, but there’s not enough on it to do anything substantial damage. The crown is frustrated with the lack of activity as Nurmagomedov is content to just dance around the outside of the circle. Shabliy throws a right that Nurmagomedov ducks under and immediately clinches against the fence. Shabliy breaks free and circles away from the fence. Chasing Nurmagomedov down, the champ clinches up once again and holds on until the final second ticks off the clock.
Official Result: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Alexander Shabliy via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Check Out Highlights From Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexander Shabliy at Bellator Champions Series – San Diego:
https://x.com/BellatorMMA/status/1832630847846949118
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