Nurmagomedov faced Shabliy in a battle many thought would provide Nurmagomedov with the sternest test of his Bellator career to date. But, in a performance that showed his fight IQ as much as his fighting talent, Nurmagomedov made all the right moves as he fought smartly to claim a clear decision win over his compatriot in the night’s main event.
The co-main event also featured a matchup with championship implications, as Lorenz Larkin stopped Levan Chokheli in the first round to earn a TKO victory in their welterweight number-one contender matchup.
There was also an important win in the career of Aaron Jeffery, who defeated former welterweight champion Douglas Lima to maintain his status as one of the 185-pound division’s leading contenders.
There were also victories for Sumiko Inaba, Zhora Ayvazyan, Jordan Newman and Masayuki Kikuiri, with the Japanese welterweight claiming an impressive TKO win over Herman Terrado. The night’s other victors from early on the preliminary card were Bryce Meredith and Josh Hokit.
Bellator Champions Series San Diego: Official results
- Usman Nurmagomedov def. Alexander Shabliy via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) – for lightweight title
- Lorenz Larkin def. Levan Chokheli via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:53
- Aaron Jeffery def. Douglas Lima via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Sumiko Inaba def. Mackenzie Stiller via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:25
- Jora Ayvazyan def. Yancy Medeiros via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jordan Newman def. Imamshafi Aliev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Masayuki Kikuiri def. Herman Terrado via TKO (body kick and punches) – Round 3, 2:54
- Bryce Meredith def. John MaCalolooy via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:18
- Josh Hokit def. Sean Rose via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:58
- Ashley Thiner def. Alysia Cortez via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:11
