Nurmagomedov outworks Shabliy to retain Bellator lightweight title
Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Alexander Shabliy via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) to retain the Bellator lightweight championship in the main event of Bellator Champions Series San Diego on Saturday night.
UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman's cousin, wrapped the belt around his waist after the decision was read.
Despite the wide scorecards favoring Nurmagomedov, the fight was relatively competitive and not an easy title defense. Nurmagomedov and Shabliy engaged in a tactical - and sometimes timid - affair that took place almost exclusively in the striking department. However, Nurmagomedov stayed a bit busier and controlled the action.
"To be honest, this guy is so tough," Nurmagomedov said in his postfight interview. "Alexander Shabliy, I think, is one of the best lightweights right now in the world. It was a very tough fight for me."
Nurmagomedov's biggest moment came in the fourth round when he hurt Shabliy with a left head kick. Nurmagomedov went to the ground with Shabliy and tried to sink in a guillotine, but the choke was unsuccessful. Instead, Nurmagomedov landed a few elbows that got the challenger's attention.
Shabliy also had a decent amount of success on the feet despite not producing a high enough output. His best weapon was the counter right in the early rounds. Shabliy stung Nurmagomedov a few times as the champion tried to get in the pocket, but Nurmagomedov figured his timing out and controlled the distance more effectively as the fight progressed. He was handily picking Shabliy apart by the fifth round.
Nurmagomedov was returning from a career-long 11-month layoff. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) suspended him for six months after he failed a drug test last November. It was ruled that a prescription medication caused the positive result. Nurmagomedov's October win over Brent Primus at Bellator 300 was overturned to a no-contest.
With the victory, Nurmagomedov remained undefeated and lifted his professional record to 18-0 (1 NC). The 26-year-old of Dagestan has seven wins under the Bellator banner, including finishes of former UFC champion Benson Henderson and ex-Bellator champ Patricky "Pitbull" Freire in title fights.
Shabliy's nine-fight winning streak ended with his first loss since 2016. The 31-year-old Russian is now 5-1 in Bellator.