Tag: Alexander Shabliy

Bellator 292 results: Alexander Shabliy beats Tofiq Musayev with bizarre TKO, advances to grand prix semifinal

Alexander Shabliy moves to the Bellator lightweight grand prix semifinal.

[autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag] is through.

The Bellator lightweight defeated [autotag]Tofiq Musayev[/autotag] by third-round TKO at Friday’s Bellator 292 and is now moving on to the semifinal of the Bellator lightweight grand prix. Shabliy (23-3 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) is expected to take on the winner of A. J. McKee vs. Patricky Freire.

The lightweight grand prix quarterfinal was the Bellator 292 co-main event at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.

It was a tough fight to score, but perhaps for not the fun reasons.

Both Musayev (20-5 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) and Shabliy came out tentative, and they were hesitant to exchange. Musayev, for the most part, did most of the pressuring, while Shabliy backed up. Both did a lot of faints and would occasionally exchange here and there. This went on for the first two rounds.

In Round 3, Shabliy hit Musayev with a front, push kick to the chest. After connecting and on its way down, it did hit Musayev on the groin. The fight was stopped, as Musayev was hurt. It appeared to be a foul, but the referee would deem it a clean it, as it first connected on Musayev’s chest, this awarding Shabliy the victory.

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With the win, Shabliy furthers his impressive wining streak. The Russian standout is on an eight-fight winning streak, which includes notable victories over former Bellator champion Brent Primus and former UFC fighter Adriano Martins. Shabliy joined the Bellator ranks in 2021 and has established himself as one of the top fighters in just a couple of years.

Musayev suffered his first setback since joining Bellator. He entered tonight’s event coming off a successful debut where he knocked out Sidney Outlaw in the first round back in July at Belattor 283.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator 292 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 292.

Bellator 292 predictions: Can Benson Henderson upset massive favorite Usman Nurmagomedov?

Check out our staff members’ picks for Bellator 292 in San Jose, Calif., featuring the start of the lightweight grand prix.

Nurmagomedov
vs.
Henson		 Musayev
vs.
Shabliy		 Moldavsky
vs.
Vassell		 Page
vs.
Yamauchi
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
23-14		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov
(68%)		 shabliy20
Shabliy
(57%)		 moldavsky2023
Moldavsky
(69%)		 page2023
Page
(66%)
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
27-13		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov		 shabliy20
Shabliy		 vassell2023
Vassell		 page2023
Page
Nolan King
@mma_kings
26-14		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov		 musayev2023
Musayev		 moldavsky2023
Moldavsky		 page2023
Page
Matt Erickson
@MattE
26-14		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov		 musayev2023
Musayev		 moldavsky2023
Moldavsky		 page2023
Page
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
26-14		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov		 musayev2023
Musayev		 moldavsky2023
Moldavsky		 page2023
Page
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
25-15
trophy copy 2018, 2022 Champion		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov		 shabliy20
Shabliy		 moldavsky2023
Moldavsky		 page2023
Page
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
24-16		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov		 musayev2023
Musayev		 moldavsky2023
Moldavsky		 page2023
Page
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
24-16		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov		 musayev2023
Musayev		 moldavsky2023
Moldavsky		 yamauchi2023
Yamauchi
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
24-16		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov		 musayev2023
Musayev		 moldavsky2023
Moldavsky		 yamauchi2023
Yamauchi
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohn
23-17
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov		 musayev2023
Musayev		 moldavsky2023
Moldavsky		 page2023
Page
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
22-18
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov		 musayev2023
Musayev		 moldavsky2023
Moldavsky		 page2023
Page
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
22-18		 unurmagomedov2023
Nurmagomedov		 musayev2023
Musayev		 moldavsky2023
Moldavsky		 page2023
Page

Bellator is back in its Northern California home base this week with a lightweight title fight at the top of the lineup.

Bellator 292 takes place Friday at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, lightweight champion [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] (16-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) puts his title on the line for the first time since he won the belt this past November against Patricky Freire. He takes on former UFC and WEC lightweight champ and two-time Bellator title challenger [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] (30-11 MMA, 7-6 BMMA) in a fight that doubles as a quarterfinal bout in Bellator’s lightweight grand prix.

Nurmagomedov is a massive favorite at -2500 at Tipico Sportsbook; the comeback on Henderson is +900. Henderson never has been worse than a +350 underdog in his UFC and Bellator career until now. Given the odds, it’s not surprising our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers have Nurmagomedov as a unanimous pick at 11-0.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Tofiq Musayev[/autotag] (20-4 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag] (22-3 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) on the other side of the lightweight grand prix bracket. Shabliy is a slight favorite at the betting window, but our pickers may have taken into account Musayev’s 27-second KO win in his Bellator debut, and they have him with a big 9-2 picks lead.

Also on the main card, former interim heavyweight champion [autotag]Valentin Moldavsky[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) will try to make a case for another shot at champ Ryan Bader when he takes on [autotag]Linton Vassell[/autotag] (23-8 MMA, 11-5 BMMA), who has won four straight. Moldavsky is more than a 3-1 favorite, though, and is a near-unanimous pick at 10-1.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] (20-2 MMA, 16-2 BMMA) is just a slight betting favorite at -125 in his welterweight bout against [autotag]Goiti Yamauchi[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 14-4 BMMA). The winner will be in prime position to ask for a title shot. But despite the close numbers from the oddsmakers, our pickers have Page with a big 9-2 lead.

In the MMA Junkie consensus picks, Nurmagomedov (80 percent), Shabliy (57 percent), Moldavsky (69 percent), and Page 66 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 292.

Alexander Shabliy took steps to be ready for grand prix format at Bellator 292

Alexander Shabliy’s next fight is more than just a typical trip to the cage. He’s in the lightweight tournament that starts at Bellator 292.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – [autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag]’s next fight is more than just a typical next fight.

Shabliy (22-3 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) is tasked with getting his hand raised against Tofiq Musayev (20-4 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) in the Bellator 292 co-main event if he wants to move on in the lightweight grand prix. Their fight kicks off the tournament as one of four quarterfinals. Lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov puts his belt on the line for the first time against Benson Henderson in the other opening-round bout on the card.

Shabliy said knowing tournament fights are five-rounders played a key part of his training.

“A lot of effort and thought was put into the fact that those are all going to be five-round fights for me (in the tournament),” Shabliy told MMA Junkie at a Wednesday media day for Bellator 292. “That’s very important because it’s going to be much longer – an extra two rounds. Since I knew it’s going to be different altitude, I started training in the mountains just to make sure I’m prepared for this side of the country and I don’t feel too out of place (in the fight).”

Bellator 292 takes place Friday at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Check out Shabliy’s full media day interview in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 292.

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Video: Bellator lightweight grand prix fighters face off for first time

Take a look as the participants for the Bellator lightweight grand prix came face to fight for the first time.

LOS ANGELES – Bellator is hosting a lightweight grand prix this year, and for the first time Friday, the promotion brought all eight participants together for a news conference, followed by faceoffs.

The tournament kicks off March 10 at Bellator 292 in San Jose, Calif., where champion [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] (16-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) defends the title against [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] (30-11MMA, 7-6 BMMA) in a quarterfinal. Also that night, [autotag]Tofiq Musayev[/autotag] (20-4 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) meets [autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag] (22-3 MMA, 3-0 BMMA).

On May 12 at Bellator Paris, [autotag]Mansour Barnaoui[/autotag] (20-4 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) will take on [autotag]Sidney Outlaw[/autotag] (16-5 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) in a quarterfinal. The remaining quarterfinal between [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] (20-1MMA, 20-1 BMMA) and [autotag]Patricky Freire[/autotag] (24-11 MMA, 15-9 BMMA) has yet to be booked for an event date and location.

In the video above, you can watch all the opponents come face to face.

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Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Jan. 9-15)

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 from Jan. 9-15.

Bellator announces 8 participants for lightweight grand prix; tournament starts March 10 in San Jose

Eight lightweights will fight for the end rewards of a Bellator lightweight title and a $1 million bonus, beginning in March.

The Bellator lightweight grand prix is official, and so are its eight participants.

While some matchups are still being worked out, the tournament is slated to begin at Bellator 292 on March 10 from SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Bellator president Scott Coker announced the news Wednesday on “The MMA Hour.”

After a report Wednesday by OC Register, MMA Junkie confirmed with promotion officials the first two quarterfinal matchups at Bellator 290: champion Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Benson Henderson, and Tofiq Musayev vs. Alexander Shabliy.

This leaves Mansour Barnaoui, Sidney Outlaw, A.J. McKee, Patricky Freire, and Sidney Outlaw left to be matched up.

The lightweight grand prix is the fifth tournament during the Coker era of Bellator, but the first at lightweight. Heavyweight, featherweight, light heavyweight, and bantamweight previously have been featured.

Coker did not rule out the tournament could end by the end of 2023, depending on how the fights and scheduling plays out.

Scroll below to find out more about the eight fighters who earned a shot to compete in the Bellator lightweight grand prix.

Bellator 282 post-event facts: Johnny Eblen the newest undefeated champion

Johnny Eblen joined the short list of fighters to win a Bellator title with an undefeated record at Bellator 282.

The Bellator event schedule resumed Friday with Bellator 282, which took place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and saw a new champion crowned in the main event.

[autotag]Johnny Eblen[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) captured the middleweight title with a dominant sweep over [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] (49-8-2 MMA, 7-2 BMMA) by unanimous decision, becoming the eighth 185-pound champion in company history.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-fight facts from Bellator 282.

Bellator 282 video: Alexander Shabliy crushes ex-champ Brent Primus with violent knockout

Violence was in the air at Mohegan Sun Arena.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Alexander Shabliy[/autotag] hasn’t been in Bellator long, but he continues skyrocketing toward the top.

At Bellator 282 on Friday, Shabliy (21-3 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) melted former lightweight champion [autotag]Brent Primus[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 9-3 BMMA) to score a TKO at 1:22 of Round 2. The event took place at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The two fighters threw heat and Primus dropped to the canvas after a big punch. Shabliy went in for the kill and snatched consciousness with a series of follow-up shots.

With the win, Shabliy extends his winning streak to seven. Meanwhile, Primus has lost two fights in a row.

The up-to-the-minute Bellator 282 results include:

  • Alexander Shabliy def. Brent Primus via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 1:22
  • Cat Zingano def. Pam Sorenson via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-27, 29-27)
  • Anatoly Tokov def. Muhammad Abdullah via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:28
  • Sabah Homasi def. Maycon Mendonca via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:58
  • Ilara Joanne def. Alejandra Lara via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
  • James Gonzalez def. Cody Law via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-26)
  • Aaron Jeffery def. Fabio Aguiar via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:32
  • Mandel Nallo def. Bryce Logan via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:07

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Insider’s Scoop: Fedor Emelianenko’s last ride, Tony Ferguson, ‘The Korean Zombie,’ more

MMA Junkie’s Nolan King shares news tidbits and rumblings from around the MMA world.

Before we get into the crux of what you all showed up for (news), we want to re-introduce you to the “Insider’s Scoop.”

Every once in and while, our reporters, when enough noteworthy developments have piled up, will release news in an easy-to-digest roundup for the MMA Junkie audience.

From fight rumblings to event locations and dates to roster departures and more, various tidbits will be featured each time “Insider’s Scoop” is released.

So without further ado, here’s the latest edition of “Insider’s Scoop.”

Bellator 272 adds Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Jeremy Kennedy, three other fights

Emmanuel Sanchez, Jeremy Kennedy, and Killys Mota are among the additions.

The Bellator 272 lineup continues to build with four recent additions including a bout between two top featherweight contenders.

Two-time Bellator title challenger [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] (20-6 MMA, 12-5 BMMA) will look to end a recent losing skid when he battles former UFC fighter [autotag]Jeremy Kennedy[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) in a three-round featherweight bout.

A promotion official informed MMA Junkie of the booking on Thursday, in addition to a lightweight booking between [autotag]Mike Hamel[/autotag] (8-5 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) and [autotag]Killys Mota[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 1-1 BMMA).

The Bellator official also confirmed a bantamweight bout between [autotag]Tommy Espinosa[/autotag] (6-3 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Jornel Lugo[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA), which was initially reported by My MMA News, as well as a welterweight fight between [autotag]Levan Chokheli[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) and [autotag]Vinicius de Jesus[/autotag] (9-4 MMA, 3-2 BMMA), which was first reported by Cageside Press.

Bellator 272 takes place Friday, Dec. 3 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

With the additions, the Bellator 272 lineup includes:

  • Champ Sergio Pettis vs. Kyoji Horiguchi – for featherweight title
  • Jeremy Kennedy vs. Emmanuel Sanchez
  • Josh Hill vs. Jared Scoggins
  • John de Jesus vs. Keoni Diggs
  • Killys Mota vs. Mike Hamel
  • Levan Chokheli vs. Vinicius de Jesus
  • Tommy Espinosa vs. Jornel Lugo

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