Usman Nurmagomedov defends title at Bellator Champions Series event

Usman Nurmagomedov defended his lightweight title in the featured bout of a Bellator Champions Series event in San Diego.

Nurmagomedov defeated Alexander Shabliy with a five-round unanimous decision to improve to 18-0 in pro mixed martial arts.

The 26-year-old brother of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is 7-0 with one no-contest due to a failed drug test during his Bellator tenure that began in 2021.  

Lorenz Larkin stopped Levan Chokheli early in the first round in the co-main event to bcome the organization’s No. 1 welterweight contender.

Official Bellator Champions Series San Diego results below:

MAIN CARD

-- Usman Nurmagomedov def. Alexander Shabliy via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)

-- Lorenz Larkin def. Levan Chokheli via TKO at 1:53 of Round 1

-- Aaron Jeffery def. Douglas Lima via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

-- Sumiko Inaba def. Mackenzie Stiller via TKO at 4:25 of Round 2

-- Yancy Medeiros def. Zhora Ayvazyan def. Yancy Medeiros via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD

-- Jordan Newman def. Imamshafi Aliev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

-- Masayuki Kikuiri def vs. Herman Terrado via TKO at 2:54 of Round 3

-- Bryce Meredith def. vs. Jon Macalolooy via submission at 3:15 of Round 1

-- Josh Hokit def. Sean Rose via submission at 4:58 of Round 1

-- Ashley Thiner def. Aysia Cortez via TKO at 3:11 of Round 2