Nurmagomedov-Shabliy rebooked for Bellator San Diego in September

Usman Nurmagomedov's Bellator lightweight title defense against Alexander Shabliy has been rescheduled for the main event of Bellator Champions Series San Diego on Sept. 7 at Pechanga Arena, the promotion announced Tuesday.

Nurmagomedov-Shabliy was originally scheduled to headline Bellator Paris in May, but Nurmagomedov withdrew from the bout due to an injury.

Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib, is arguably the top lightweight outside the UFC and holds an undefeated pro record at 17-0 (1 NC). He captured the 155-pound belt with a dominant win over Patricky "Pitbull" Freire in 2022 and defended it once against former UFC champion Benson Henderson. Nurmagomedov's most recent victory over Brent Primus at Bellator 300 last October was overturned to a no-contest due to a failed drug test.

Shabliy is 5-0 under the Bellator banner and riding a nine-fight winning streak overall. The Russian is coming off a unanimous decision win over Freire last November.

Nurmagomedov and Shabliy were slated to meet in the final of the Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix before the PFL acquired Bellator late last year.