Tag: Alexander Shabliy

Bellator Champions Series results: Usman Nurmagomedov defends title in calculated battle vs. Alexander Shabliy

Usman Nurmagomedov defended his lightweight title against Alexander Shabliy in a chess match of a title fight at Bellator Champions Series.

[autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] is still undefeated and the Bellator lightweight champion after going the distance with Alexander Shabliy.

The lightweight title bout headlined Bellator Champions Series: San Diego, which took place at Pechanga Arena. It was a chess match of a title fight, but after 25 minutes, Nurmagomedov (18-0) was declared the winner over Shabliy (24-4) with scores of 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46.

Shabliy found success early with the right hand, scoring with quick counters as Nurmagomedov pressed forward with strikes. Nurmagomeodv nearly got full control of Shabliy’s back, but rode up too high, and the remainder of the close opening round played out on the feet.

Nurmagomedov was the more active fighter offensively in Round 2, leading with strikes throughout the frame. Shabliy defended a few takedown attempts and landed a solid punch that was immediately answered.

The calculated approach continued in Round 3, with neither fighter really committing to more than one or two strikes at a time. Nurmagomedov focused on kicks to the legs and body. Shabliy got a takedown right at the bell.

Early in Round 4, Shabliy connected with a solid combination of punches. Just when he was building momentum, he eye-poked Nurmagomedov, causing a break in the action. After a short pause, the fight resumed and Nurmagomedov got back to hunting for openings.

With just over 90 seconds to go, he found it with a left head kick that hurt Shabliy.

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Nurmagomedov swarmed with strikes, leading to a choke threat on the mat. The submission wasn’t there, but the champ picked up some top control time before the round ended in the clinch on the feet.

Shabliy failed to create any significant offense in Round 5, as the final five minutes ticked away with a few restless boos pouring in from the crowd.

Nurmagomedov was announced as the winner and began celebrating with his corner Khabib Nurmagomedov, Javier Mendez and Umar Nurmagomedov. During his post-fight interview, he expressed his desire for his next title fight to take place in Dubai.

With the win, Nurmagomedov picks up his second title defense. He became champion by defeating Patricky Freire at Bellator 288 in November 2022. In his first defense, Nurmagomedov submitted Benson Henderson in the first round. He then picked up a unanimous decision win over Brent Primus, but that victory was later overturned to a no contest dut to a failed drug test.

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Full Bellator Champions Series: San Diego results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event page for Bellator Champions Series: San Diego.

Bellator San Diego video: Usman Nurmagomedov, Alexander Shabliy face off for title fight

The stage is finally set for Usman Nurmagomedov and Alexander Shabliy to clash for the Bellator lightweight title following their final faceoff.

The stage is finally set for [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and [autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag] to clash for the Bellator lightweight title following their final faceoff at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins.

Nurmagomedov (17-0) and Shabliy (24-3) will meet in the main event of Bellator Champions Series: San Diego on Saturday at Pechanga Arena (Max) in what was labeled the final of the lightweight grand prix. PFL purchased Bellator, however, and now it is merely for Nurmagomedov’s 155-pound strap.

After both men made weight earlier in the day, the pair came face-to-face for a staredown between arguably the two best lightweights outside the UFC.

Watch the video above to see the Nurmagomedov vs. Shabliy faceoff from ceremonial weigh-ins.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event page for Bellator Champions Series: San Diego.

PFL’s Derek Anderson shares graphic injury photo after alleged hit-and-run, out of Cedric Doumbe fight

One moment, Derek Anderson is set to fight Cedric Doumbe. The next, he’s the victim of an alleged hit-and-run.

One moment, [autotag]Derek Anderson[/autotag] is set to fight Cedric Doumbe. The next, he’s the victim of an alleged hit-and-run.

Hours after the Doumbe fight booking was officially announced for Bellator Champions Series: Paris, Anderson on Tuesday posted a graphic image of a foot injury on Instagram, indicating he was involved in a hit-and-run. The photo of Anderson’s mangled foot appears to have been taken on the side of the road shortly after the alleged incident.

With BCS: Paris less than a month away May 17, Anderson (17-4-1) said he won’t be able to compete. Doumbe vs. Anderson was slated to co-headline the event at Accor Arena.

It’s unclear if Doumbe (5-1) will remain on the card to fight a replacement opponent.

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News of the lost Doumbe-Anderson co-headliner comes on the heels of BCS: Paris losing its original main event after lightweight champion [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag]’s title defense against [autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag] was scrapped due to an injury to Nurmagomedov. The fight is expected to be rebooked in the near future.

With the change, the Bellator Champions Series: Paris lineup includes:

MAIN CARD:

  • Patchy Mix vs. Magomed Magomedov – for bantamweight title
  • Cedric Doumbe vs. TBA
  • Gregory Babene vs. Costello van Steenis
  • Jonas Bilharinho vs. Yves Landu
  • Archie Colgan vs. Thibault Gouti

PRELIMINARY CARD:

  • Louis Sutherland vs. Slim Trabelsi
  • Mansour Barnaoui vs. Yusuke Yachi
  • Imamshafi Aliev vs. Mike Shipman
  • Aspen Ladd vs. Katerina Shakalova
  • Asael Adjoudj vs. Bruno Fontes

Bellator’s Cedric Doumbe returns vs. Derek Anderson in Paris, but Nurmagomedov-Shabliy title fight scrapped

Cedric Doumbe will get to electrify his home fans once again.

[autotag]Cedric Doumbe[/autotag] will get to electrify his home fans once again.

Doumbe (5-1) meets [autotag]Derek Anderson[/autotag] (17-4-1) in the Bellator Champions Series: Paris co-headliner, which takes place May 17 at Accor Arena in Paris, the promotion announced Monday.

Lightweight champion [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag]’s title defense against [autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag], the card’s original main event, has been scrapped due to an injury to Nurmagomedov. The fight is expected to be rebooked in the near future.

Doumbe has signed a multi-year contract extension with PFL. After scoring a 9-second knockout of Jordan Zebo in his promotional debut, the French superstar suffered an odd TKO loss to Baysangur Chamsoudinov in the 2024 PFL Europe 1 headliner in March.

After splitting the first two rounds with Chamsoudinov, Doumbe looked at referee Marc Goddard and pointed to his left toe twice in the span of 10 seconds, signaling that he’s hurt. That prompted Goddard to wave the fight off which baffled a frustrated Doumbe, who just wanted a splint removed from his toe. John McCarthy explained that you cannot call a timeout in the middle of the fight.

Anderson has won three out of his past four. The 34-year-old Bellator veteran hasn’t competed since shattering his nose in a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Michael Page in May 2021.

With the addition, the Bellator Champions Series: Paris lineup includes:

MAIN CARD:

  • Patchy Mix vs. Magomed Magomedov – for bantamweight title
  • Derek Anderson vs. Cedric Doumbe
  • Gregory Babene vs. Costello van Steenis
  • Jonas Bilharinho vs. Yves Landu
  • Archie Colgan vs. Thibault Gouti

PRELIMINARY CARD:

  • Louis Sutherland vs. Slim Trabelsi
  • Mansour Barnaoui vs. Yusuke Yachi
  • Imamshafi Aliev vs. Mike Shipman
  • Aspen Ladd vs. Katerina Shakalova
  • Asael Adjoudj vs. Bruno Fontes

Alexander Shabliy says Bellator not honoring $1 million grand prix prize vs. Usman Nurmagomedov

Alexander Shabliy is feeling short-changed heading into his Bellator title fight headliner vs. lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.

[autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag] is feeling short-changed heading into his Bellator Champions Series: Paris headliner vs. lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.

Prior to PFL’s buyout of the Bellator brand, the matchup between Shabliy (24-3 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) and Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) was slated to serve as the $1 million final for the Bellator grand prix, which began with eight fights.

There was uncertainty about the bout’s status following the merger of the two companies, but a degree of resolution happened when it followed through with the original final matchup for May 17 at Accor Arena in Paris. There’s a huge difference now, however, because Shabliy claims he has been given no assurances that the winner of his clash with Nurmagomedov will still be rewarded with the seven-figure prize.

“There was a lot of uncertainty with the whole situation going on with the merger,” Shabliy told MMA Junkie through an interpreter. “We were sure that, since I was participating in the grand prix and going strong, that I deserved the title shot. I should have an opportunity to finish the business regardless of the merger, the way it was gonna go. I didn’t care which way it was gonna go – whether it was gonna be Usman or possibly Brent Primus or AJ McKee – but I definitely knew we should finish up the grand prix, go all the way where I can have a shot at the title and get the champion belt possibly. Now, about a month ago, we learned it’s gonna be Usman, and I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it because, as I said, I put hard work in, and I definitely want to finish this grand prix and possibly get the belt and the title.”

“As of now, I don’t like the situation, the way it’s going, because after the merger, I believe the PFL, since they are the main company, they should honor all the conditions. As of now, it looks like we’re just fighting for the belt and the title. I’m not confident in the prize money guarantee, and I think the PFL should follow through with the obligations that they acquired from the Bellator league. They try to compete with UFC and be a responsible league; I think they should follow through on that. Again, I put my work in. We worked hard in a lot of camps, and I think they should honor the money prize, as well.”

Shabliy, 30, understands that it’s a moment of change as PFL tries to figure out its plans for integrating Bellator and its large roster of athletes, but he believes that any previous promises should be fulfilled.

“Right now, the way it looks, I’m not quite happy,” Shabliy said. “If (PFL is) trying to look serious as the UFC, as a good competitor out in the market, they have to honor this. Right now, it looks like they’re letting us down on that. I’m sticking with Bellator for now, but I hope they honor their side of the deal.”

PFL officials did not immediately respond to MMA Junkie’s request for comment on Shabliy’s claim. For now, the fighter will keep focused on the task at hand, and that’s derailing the undefeated and highly-touted Nurmagomedov.

“I think I have something to offer him,” Shabliy said. “When I fight my fights, I don’t leave it to the judges. I try to finish every round of every fight dominating. In that sense, I think I’m a little more decisive, if you will. So I will go in there and fight until the end. Just analyze that, the way we finished our previous (common) opponents.”

Alexander Shabliy credits teammate Arman Tsarukyan, ready for Usman Nurmagomedov after Bellator 301

After Bellator 301, Alexander Shabliy discussed teammate Arman Tsarukyan and weighed in on Usman Nurmagomedov’s recent drug test failure.

CHICAGO – [autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag] continues to dominate the Bellator lightweight division, as a teammate looks to do the same in the UFC.

Following his clinical striking performance in victory over Patricky Freire (25-12 MMA, 16-10 BMMA) at Friday’s Bellator 301 at Wintrust Arena, Shabliy (24-3 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) described what it’s like having Arman Tsarukyan as one of his main training partners during camp.

“Arman (is a great) guy,” Shabliy told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “Arman is my friend. I train with Arman. I think Arman wins (vs) Beneil Dariush. I think (he’s) a good wrestler, a good striker. Arman will be champion of UFC.”

Shabliy, 30, has championship aspirations of his own – just in a different promotion. Though Bellator’s future is clouded, Shabliy could fight for the title should the promotion book future events and finish out its ongoing lightweight grand prix.

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The win over Freire advanced Shabliy to the tournament finals, though it’s unclear who his opposition would be once there. Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov recently defeated Brent Primus on the other side of the bracket – but proceeded to test positive for a prohibited substance thereafter.

Shabliy is impartial as to who he should face next, but thinks the promotion should’ve made his fight vs. Freire an undisputed title fight considering the unusual circumstances.

“I don’t think it should be an interim or temporary belt because as we know Usman had a situation,” Shabliy said. “Unfortunately, rules are rules. I think the belt should still be in the tournament. I’m saying that he still might become a champion. Right now, we’re talking about the tournament. To be fair, the belt should be between us. We’ll see how it plays out. Maybe Usman will come back. Maybe not. I can’t really tell, but I’m ready for it. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is. … Usman, Brent, Patrick, Tofiq, it doesn’t matter who. I will be champion. My dream is this belt.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 301.

Bellator 301 results: Alexander Shabliy pieces up Patricky Pitbull, advances to grand prix final

Methodical violence was created by Alexander Shabliy at Bellator 301, as he put forth a brilliant, bloody performance vs. Patricky Pitbull.

[autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag] put on quite the clinic Friday at Bellator 301 when he defeated former lightweight champion [autotag]Patricky Freire[/autotag] in the semifinal of the promotion’s ongoing grand prix.

The bout served as the main card opener at Wintrust Arena in Chicago and saw Shabliy (24-3 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) win a lopsided (and bloody) unanimous decision over Freire (25-12 MMA, 16-10 BMMA). All three judges scored the fight a clean sweep, at 50-45.

Shabliy was a man on a mission from the opening bell. He landed punches with surgical precision and mixed up his strikes to keep Freire guessing.

Despite his success, Shabliy continued to seek the finish. In Round 3, he landed a barrage that tested Freire’s chin and will. “Pitbull” hung tough, as always, though.

As the fight continued, Freire’s face deteriorated. Blood streamed from below his left eye and from his left ear. Shabliy landed a hard sequence in Round 5, including a wheel kick to the head but Freire did enough to make it to the final bell.

Bellator’s future beyond Friday’s event is uncertain. Should new life be breathed into the promotion and the grand prix continue, the next match for Shabliy is a bit clouded.

With lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov recently testing positive for a prohibited substance, Bellator executive Mike Kogan recently hinted the titleholder will rematch Brent Primus.

Regardless of tournament status, Shabliy extends his winning streak to nine. Other notable wins include Tofiq Musayev and Brent Primus, both of whom Shabliy finished with strikes.

Freire moves to 2-4 in his most recent six outings.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator 301 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 301.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Sept. 11-17)

All the UFC and Bellator fight announcements that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC or Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by the promotions from Sept. 11-17.

Bellator 301 set for Chicago: 2 title fights, including Sergio Pettis vs. Patchy Mix, grand prix semifinal, grudge rematch

Despite the uncertain times for Bellator MMA, the promotion has booked a big show for Chicago in November.

Despite the uncertain times for Bellator MMA, the promotion continues to book events.

Wednesday, promotion officials informed MMA Junkie that Bellator 301 will take place Nov. 17 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago with two title fights, a tournament fight, and a grudge rematch already scheduled for the main card. The card was first announced on “The MMA Hour.”

In the main event, Bellator welterweight champion [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag] (27-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) defends his title against [autotag]Jason Jackson[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 7-1 BMMA). The co-main event features a highly-anticipated bantamweight unification bout between undisputed champion [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] (23-5 MMA, 9-5 BMMA) and interim champion [autotag]Patchy Mix[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA).

The Bellator lightweight grand prix rolls on in the featured bout with a semifinal fight between [autotag]Patricky Freire[/autotag] (25-11 MMA, 16-9 BMMA) and [autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag] (23-3 MMA, 4-0 BMMA). Additionally, a bantamweight grudge match will be run back as [autotag]Danny Sabtello[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) gets a home state fight vs. [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] (19-2 MMA, 7-1 BMMA).

The full Bellator 301 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Champion Yaroslav Amosov vs. Jason Jackson – for welterweight title
  • Champion Patchy Mix vs. interim champion Patchy Mix – for bantamweight title unification
  • Patricky Freire vs. Alexander Shabliy
  • Danny Sabatello vs. Raufeon Stots

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 5 p.m. ET)

  • Ali Isaev vs. Daniel James
  • Tyrell Fortune vs. Marcelo Golm
  • Justin Gonzales vs. Timur Khizriev
  • Mike Hamel vs. Tim Wilde
  • Sumiko Inaba vs. Denise Kielholtz
  • Islam Mamedov vs. Killys Mota

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Bellator 292 salaries: Five get six-figure paydays, including Benson Henderson in retirement fight

Check out the full list of fighter salaries from this past Friday’s Bellator 292 event in San Jose, Calif.

Twenty fighters competed this past Friday at Bellator 292 with the titleholders leading all disclosed payouts.

California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) executive director Andy Foster released a full list of fighter payouts Thursday to MMA Junkie. The amounts reflect the disclosed payouts only and do not include any off-contract bonuses, sponsor payments or discretionary bonuses.

Three of five fighters who pocketed six-figure disclosed paydays tied for the top spot on the list with $150,000. Lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) submitted Benson Henderson (30-12 MMA, 7-7 BMMA) in the main event, which also was the opening round of Bellator’s lightweight grand prix.

Both Nurmagomedov and Henderson made a disclosed $150,000 flat purse for their fights, win or lose. The other $150,000 recipient was Alexander Shabliy (23-3 MMA, 4-0 BMMA), who made $75,000 to show and a $75,000 win bonus for his finish of Tofiq Musayev (20-5 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) in the tournament’s opening round.

In addition, Linton Vassell (24-8 MMA, 12-5 BMMA) made a flat $100,000 for his heavyweight knockout of Valentin Moldavsky (11-3 MMA, 6-2 BMMA) and Michael Page (21-2 MMA, 17-2 BMMA) made a flat $100,000 for his quick injury TKO of Goiti Yamauchi (28-6 MMA, 14-5 BMMA).

Scroll below to see what the 20 fighters on Bellator 292 were paid – disclosed amounts only.