Bellator Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov's first title defense contained quick work of a UFC legend.
Usman Nurmagomedov will have to do this Saturday with the most difficult test of his career against Paul Hughes in PFL Champions Series: Dubai. He returns to the cage for the first time since he was out of the point in September due to a unanimous decision.
Usman, the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, has turned out to be a destructive force due to 19 career fights. If he passes Hughes this weekend, a switch to the UFC may be on the horizon.
After pitching the Bellator Lightweight title by pitching a shutout against Patricky Pitbull on Bellator 288, Nurmagomedov rejected the former UFC title holder Benson Henderson to kick the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix. It only took Nurmagomedov only a few minutes to prove that he was levels above the once elite lightweight Henderson.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty images
The early chop of Usman Nurmagomedov led to an annoying entry from Benson Henderson
Nurmagomedov began to damage the fight by Henderson with annoying staircases on the body. For about 30 seconds in the first round, Nurmagomedov dropped Henderson with a high staircase before landing ground-and-pound and checked the back of the former UFC champion.
Henderson managed to properly defend the first entry from Nurmagomedov, despite the suffering of serious damage due to the main kick. But as Nurmagomedov Henderson's Back and let him take it flat, he sank in a nasty coded choke to successfully maintain the lightweight title.
After the loss for Nurmagomedov, Henderson announced his MMA pension after a historical career that included a UFC light weight line line. As far as Nurmagomedov, it was an important award to add to his CV -CV while he continues to increase the lightweight ranks.
Nurmagomedov is the newest in a whole series of Dagestani talent from Team Khabib. A potential obstacle in his UFC ambitions could be the current UFC title rule of Islam Makhachev, his teammate, his teammate, but Makhachev may be able to increase in weight to open the door for Nurmagomedov.
UFC movement can be around the corner for Usman Nurmagomedov
The incredible striking skills of Nurmagomedov makes him a matchup nightmare for his opponents. Just like his teammate Makhachev, he not only has a ruthless gripping toolbox, but also the devastating technique and strength on the feet.
In the meantime, Nurmagomedov has a formidable test on his radar while preparing for the Irish star Hughes this weekend in Dubai. Since he suffers his loss of the first career at Cage Warriors 119, Hughes has been winning a seven-Fight-winning series, including a recent victory over the former Bellator title holder AJ McKee.
As Nurmagomedov said goodbye to a UFC legend, he ruled in a new era of lightweight greatness. If he is overcome against Hughes this weekend, Nurmagomedov may be able to get a phone call from the UFC buyer.
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