Bellator Champion Series San Diego: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexandr Shabliy: Live round-by-round updates
The Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexandr Shabliy round-by-round updates are here to provide real-time coverage and live scoring of the title bout. The Bellator Champion Series San Diego main card starts at 7 PM E.T. / 4 PM P.T. at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.
It will be streamed on Max, with the cagewalks for the main event estimated to occur at 11 PM E.T. / 8 PM P.T. The matchup is of great significance to both men.
For Shabliy, it is the culmination of an arduous journey to the peak of the Bellator lightweight division: a title shot against its champion. With a 24-3 record and nine-fight win streak, he is riding a wave of momentum consisting of a stoppage against former lightweight champion Brent Primus and a unanimous decision win over another ex-titleholder in Patricky Pitbull. To fully realize his dreams, he must dethrone Nurmagomedov.
For the unbeaten Dagestani, it is his second title defense, and he will be eager to extend his record to 18-0. Most importantly, he will want to wash away the bitter taste of his recent PED-related scandal after testing positive for a banned substance in a prescription drug.
Hailed by his legendary cousin Khabib as the next great MMA fighter, Usman is determined to return with a vengeance and he is favored by oddsmakers to win the lightweight contest. DraftKings Sportsbook has him as a -470 favorite, while Shabliy is a +360 underdog.
Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis, live scoring, and general Bellator Champions Series San Diego updates on the five-round main event.
Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexandr Shabliy
Round 1
Both men trade kicks, but Nurmagomedov gets sniped down the middle by a right cross. A hard round kick to the body lands for Nurmagomedov. Shabliy shoots and they clinch. Nurmagomedov forces a break, landing a knee for good measure.
More kicks from Nurmagomedov, who's switching stances now. Shabliy tries to counter him and Nurmagomedov shoots. Shabliy stuffs it, but a second takedown from a rear-bodylock is completed. Nurmagomedov backpacks him, but Shabliy dunks him off and they're back to their feet.
Shabliy keeps countering Nurmagomedov's naked low kicks with right hands, catching him when he only has one foot on the mat. A nice right hand to the body lands for Shabliy. Another Nurmagomedov takedown fails. 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 2
Shabliy is on the front foot, but he eats an inside low kick. Nurmagomedov blasts his opponent's midsection with a round kick-front kick combination. Shabliy's looking for the counter, so Nurmagomedov starts feinting. More inside low kicks from Nurmagomedov.
A right hand finds the mark for Shabliy. Very tense fight so far, with neither man willing to risk too much. They clinch and Nurmagomedov lands a knee off the break. A hard inside low kick from Shabliy forces a reset from Nurmagomedov. Flying knee from Nurmagomedov, but it doesn't land.
Immediate double-leg takedown shot from Nurmagomedov, who shoves Shabliy against the fence. Shabliy widens his base, defending well and they're back to the center. Nurmagomedov lands another kick to the body. Right hand down the pipe for the champion. 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 3
Shabliy trying to back Nurmagomedov up, and they trade low kicks. A spinning back-kick for Shabliy falls just short. Front kick for Nurmagomedov. Shabliy lands a slick combination, but eats an inside low kick that forces him to reset his stance. More inside low kicks from the champion.
The crowd isn't pleased with this pace, but both fighters tune out the boos. No one wants to risk anything. Kicks from Nurmagomedov. Shabliy commits to a combination and Nurmagomedov shoots but his takedown is stuffed again. Left straight for Nurmagomedov, whose wrestling has been largely ineffective.
Nurmagomedov lands a big uppercut, bloodying Shabliy's nose. Shabliy completes a late takedown as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 4
The championship rounds start with more kicks from Nurmagomedov, but Shabliy lunges in with a combination. Nurmagomedov responds with his own lunging combination, but he's off-balance and doesn't land anything. Shabliy cracks the champion with a hard combination.
Shabliy throws and misses a knee but pokes Nurmagomedov in the eye, forcing a short break. The referee warns Shabliy against more pokes, promising to take points next time. The fight resumes with an exchange of inside low kicks. Round kick for Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov shoots for a takedown, but Shabliy stuffs it. Another takedown attempt from the champion, but Shabliy defends that too. A hard high kick lands for Nurmagomedov and it seems to hurt the challenger, who starts backing up. A scramble ensues and Nurmagomedov threatens with a guillotine choke.
Shabliy defends, but Nurmagomedov uses it to snap him to the mat. The champion with top control. Shabliy with a heel hook attempt, but Nurmagomedov spins out to stay on top. Another scramble ensues and both men get to their feet. 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 5
Shabliy with pressure but little output. He throws a combination but hits nothing but air. Nurmagomedov lands a leaping side-kick to the knee. Both men go for round kicks and clash shins. A takedown attempt for Nurmagomedov, but Shabliy stuffs it. His wrestling just hasn't been strong this fight.
Body kicks for Nurmagomedov. Shabliy sneaks in a right hand. Not much action. Nurmagomedov seems to be taking this round off, backing up and not throwing much. Shabliy shoots for a takedown, but Nurmagomedov stuffs it. They dance around the outside and Nurmagomedov shoots for his own takedown.
As has been the case for most of the fight, Nurmagomedov fails on the takedown. The fight ends with a scramble. 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Official Decision: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Alexandr Shabliy via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)