Usman Nurmagomedov retired an MMA legend at Bellator 292.
With UFC champ Islam Makhachev in his nook, Nurmagomedov wanted lower than a spherical to submit Benson Henderson and notch the primary protection of his light-weight title in Friday night time’s foremost occasion, which occurred on the SAP Heart in San Jose, Calif. Nurmagomedov (17-0) dropped Henderson (30-12) with a head kick within the bout’s opening seconds, then swarmed with punches earlier than taking again management and securing a rear-naked choke end, changing into simply the third man to ever submit the previous UFC champion inside an MMA cage.
Along with his win, Nurmagomedov superior to the semifinals of Bellator’s light-weight grand prix.
“We’ve got extra work to do,” Nurmagomedov vowed afterward.
Henderson, 39, laid his gloves down within the cage and introduced his retirement after the bout. One of the embellished lightweights of his period, Henderson captured the UFC and WEC titles throughout his 17-year MMA profession and earned wins over a plethora of massive names equivalent to Frankie Edgar (x2), Nate Diaz, Gilbert Melendez, Donald Cerrone (x2), Jorge Masvidal, Josh Thomson, and extra.
“These final 4 fights I signed with Bellator, I instructed myself that if I lose in any respect any of those final 4 fights, then it’s about that point,” stated an emotional Henderson.
“I’ve had a pleasant, future. I’ve achieved numerous nice issues and was in a position to do numerous wonderful accomplishments, and thanks to everyone world wide. Thanks guys to your love and help, I respect that.”
Within the night time’s co-main occasion, Alexander Shabliy (23-3) emerged as the opposite light-weight to advance to the grand prix semifinals with a weird third-round stoppage of Tofiq Musayev (20-5).
With each males stamped as darkish horses to win the entire event, the 2 prospects fought by way of two aggressive — if considerably uneventful — rounds earlier than the controversial sequence that ended Musayev’s night time simply 29 seconds into the Spherical 3. Shabliy threw a teep kick to the midsection that appeared to land flush — solely to then catch Musayev’s cup on its means down. After deliberation, referee Jason Herzog dominated that the kick solely prompted “incidental contact” to the highest of Musayev’s cup and that the injury incapacitating Musayev was attributable to Shabliy’s authorized kick to the midsection.
As soon as Musayev stated he was unable to proceed, Herzog stopped the bout. Bellator CEO Scott Coker revealed post-fight that Musayev suffered a damaged rib from the kick.
All three California judges had Shabliy up 20-18 getting into the third spherical.
“Whether or not you prefer it not, I’m going to be the champion,” Shabliy stated by way of a translator. “I’m going to get that belt finally. Tofiq is a superb man, he’s an incredible opponent, however I’ve to maneuver on.”
Elsewhere on the cardboard, Linton Vassell (24-8) exacted candy revenge on Valentin Moldavsky (11-3) 4 years after the primary assembly, which Moldavsky gained through unanimous resolution.
This time round it was Vassell’s flip. In a battle to doubtless decide the following contender for Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader, Vassell dropped Moldavsky halfway by way of the opening spherical with a thunderous proper hand, then instantly pounced and rained down elbows from mount to safe the knockout stoppage at 3:03 of Spherical 1.
The win pushed Vassell’s present win streak to 5 straight with 4 stoppages.
“There’s no in all probability — there’s Ryan Bader [next]. He is aware of it, I do know it. They comprehend it,” Vassell proclaimed. “It’s going to occur quickly.”
Within the opening bout of Bellator 292’s foremost card, Michael Web page (21-2) took on Goiti Yamauchi (28-6) in a conflict between Bellator’s all-time knockouts and submissions leaders — and Web page wanted a single strike to safe one of the vital ugly finishes of the 12 months.
“MVP” landed a kick to Yamauchi’s proper leg simply 26 seconds into the competition that appeared to badly injure Yamauchi’s kneecap, bringing the motion to a swift and grisly finish.
Video of Web page’s successful sequence can be seen here.
The efficiency marked Web page’s eleventh KO/TKO win underneath the Bellator umbrella, probably the most ever within the promotion’s historical past. Afterward, he expressed concern for Yamauchi’s well being and known as for a title shot towards undefeated Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov.
Complete Bellator 292 results can be seen below.
Principal Card
- Usman Nurmagomedov def. Benson Henderson through submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:37 of Spherical 1
- Alexander Shabliy def. Tofiq Musayev through TKO (kick) at :29 of Spherical 3
- Linton Vassell def. Valentin Moldavsky through KO (strikes) at 3:03 of Spherical 1
- Michael Page def. Goiti Yamauchi through TKO (damage) at :26 of Spherical 1 | Watch finish | Pros react
Preliminary Card
- Enrique Barzola def. Erik Perez through unanimous resolution (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Josh Hill def. Cass Bell through break up resolution (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Khalid Murtazaliev def. Tony Johnson through unanimous resolution (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov def. Julius Anglickas through unanimous resolution (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Laird Anderson def. Rogelio Luna through technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:41 of Spherical 1
- Theo Haig def. Adam Wamsley through submission (guillotine choke) at 3:01 of Spherical 1
