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Easy work in title defense
Nurmagomedov defeated Benson Henderson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:37 of Round 1 at Bellator 292 on March 10 in San Jose.
ANALYSIS
In his first official title defense since earning the lightweight belt against Patricky Freire last November, Nurmagomedov made quick of a veteran and likely hall-of-famer in Henderson, who had previously held belts in both Bellator and the UFC. The two fighters had a brief feeling-out period before Nurmagomedov connected with a perfectly-timed question mark kick that floored Henderson, who was unable to snap out of a daze before Nurmagomedov followed him to the mat, clamped on to the choke and ended the fight. Next up, Nurmagomedov will defend his belt in the Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix semifinals against the winner of a May 12 matchup between Mansour Barnaoui and Brent Primus.
In his first official title defense since earning the lightweight belt against Patricky Freire last November, Nurmagomedov made quick of a veteran and likely hall-of-famer in Henderson, who had previously held belts in both Bellator and the UFC. The two fighters had a brief feeling-out period before Nurmagomedov connected with a perfectly-timed question mark kick that floored Henderson, who was unable to snap out of a daze before Nurmagomedov followed him to the mat, clamped on to the choke and ended the fight. Next up, Nurmagomedov will defend his belt in the Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix semifinals against the winner of a May 12 matchup between Mansour Barnaoui and Brent Primus.
New Bellator Lightweight Champion
Nurmagomedov defeated Patricky Freire via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-44) at Bellator 288 on Nov. 18 in Chicago to become the new Bellator Lightweight Champion.
ANALYSIS
The defensive striking was on display for Nurmagomedov in this one, as he kept his distance and used a steady diet of leg kicks to keep the current champion at bay. It was far from the most fan-friendly fight, but more than enough to get the job done. What's also impressive is that outside of Rounds 3 and 5, Nurmagomedov didn't have to lean on his trademark wrestling and suffocating ground-and-pound to get the job done. Nurmagomedov now sports an undefeated required of 16-0, and the 24-year-old continues to improve under the tutelage of former UFC Champion and cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov. He has the skills to remain champion for an extended run under the Bellator banner.
The defensive striking was on display for Nurmagomedov in this one, as he kept his distance and used a steady diet of leg kicks to keep the current champion at bay. It was far from the most fan-friendly fight, but more than enough to get the job done. What's also impressive is that outside of Rounds 3 and 5, Nurmagomedov didn't have to lean on his trademark wrestling and suffocating ground-and-pound to get the job done. Nurmagomedov now sports an undefeated required of 16-0, and the 24-year-old continues to improve under the tutelage of former UFC Champion and cousin Khabib Nurmagomedov. He has the skills to remain champion for an extended run under the Bellator banner.