Usman Nurmagomedov accomplished his goal of proving he’s a more complete fighting than Alexander Shabliy in the Bellator Champions Series: San Diego main event – even if he didn’t get the stoppage.
Nurmagomedov (18-0) added to his unblemished record Saturday with a unanimous decision win over Shabliy (24-4) at Pechanga Arena to defend his Bellator lightweight strap. It was a highly tactical affair, albeit slow at times outside of a fourth-round burst where the champion had his challenge on the ropes from a head kick.
Nevertheless, it was a clear victory for Nurmagomedov, who said he was pleased to silence Shabliy’s criticism of his path toward the belt by beating him with the gold on the line.
“My game plan was to fight him,” Nurmagomedov told reporters at the post-fight press conference. “I know everything. I can strike, I can kick, wrestling, grappling – I am MMA fighter. That’s why I’m here. It was my plan to show to the world who I am, show to the world my heart. I think I did this.
“When Alexander Shabliy said, ‘Usman don’t fight with nobody, but he go to the title shot very soon’: I am only 26, but when Alexander Shabliy was 26, nobody knows where he’s fighting even. Now in his prime and in my condition best for right now, I won the fight now. This is going to make more proof for myself.”
Nurmagomedov, 26, said he couldn’t have conquered Shabliy without the support of his team. His cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov was in his corner for the first time since becoming champion, and his pre-fight request of having “The Eagle” wrap the belt around his waist became reality in the aftermath of the performance.
Nurmagomedov’s team also consists of American Kickboxing Coach Javier Mendez, his cousin Usman, UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev and many others. Without them, Nurmagomedov said he wouldn’t have been able to thrive in the way he did.
“I love these guys so much,” Nurmagomedov said. “They help my growth, not as just an MMA fighter – as a human, I grow more than as an MMA fighter or something. I just want to say thank you for all of these guys.”
Khabib said in the post-fight interview that his cousin is an extreme talent, and if he meets his potential to go down as the great of all time in MMA.
“I will prove (him right),” Nurmagomedov said. “This is the future. I am the future.”
The victory marked a significant moment for Nurmagomedov, who was away from competition for 11 months after a failed drug test and suspension. Nurmagomedov has been steadfast in his denial of taking any performance-enhancing substances, and can now put that chapter in his past.
After losing nearly a year of his career dealing with the situation, though, Nurmagomedov is keen to make up for lost time and keep building his profile in the sport.
“I want to fight in Dubai because in Dubai I think they have an event in January,” Nurmagomedov said. “I don’t know exactly. For me this is very good date. I want to stay active. I want to fight every three or four months because I am only 26. I want to fight. I am hungry.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event page for Bellator Champions Series: San Diego.
