Usman Nurmagomedov News

Usman Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov calls Usman Nurmagomedov the "future" of MMA

Harry Kettle - September 4, 2024

MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov believes his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov is the future of the sport. As we know, it’s been an interesting time for Usman Nurmagomedov as of late. While he may be a world champion in Bellator, he’s also had to deal with a suspected doping violation. Despite that, he is set to return to the cage this weekend when he defends his crown against Alexandr Shabliy.

Usman Nurmagomedov
Usman Nurmagomedov

Usman Nurmagomedov speaks out on CSAC failed drug test controversy: "It was medication, and this was like nothing"

Fernando Quiles - August 30, 2024

Bellator Lightweight Champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, has spoken out on his CSAC suspension for a failed drug test. Nurmagomedov was flagged for an undisclosed prohibited substance back in October 2023. His successful Bellator 300 title defense over Brent Primus was changed to a no contest as a result. While the CSAC slapped Nurmagomedov with a six-month suspension and a $50,000 fine, both sides agreed that the 155-pound titleholder was able to prove that the substance in question was administered by a physician for therapeutic use.

Usman Nurmagomedov
Usman Nurmagomedov

Bellator announces pair of title fights for September, including Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexandr Shabliy

Josh Evanoff - June 18, 2024

Bellator MMA’s schedule for September is heating up, as it now includes the return of Usman Nurmagomedov. Fans are now six months into PFL’s ownership of Bellator. Last fall, the Donn Davis-led promotion purchased the company from Viacom but had no plans to get rid of the company. Instead, each brand has run events separately in 2024, but have featured a lot of overlap. Names such as Cedric Doumbe have jumped back-and-forth, and that will likely only continue.

Usman Nurmagomedov
Usman Nurmagomedov

Usman Nurmagomedov fails drug test, removed from Bellator lightweight grand prix

Cole Shelton - November 11, 2023

Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov has failed a drug test. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com that Nurmagomedov tested positive for an unknown substance and his fight against Brent Primus has been overturned to a No Contest. As well, sources informed BJPENN.com that Primus will now go forward in the Bellator lightweight grand prix, while the belief is Usman Nurmagomedov will be stripped of the lightweight title. Nurmagomedov has also been handed a six month suspension.

Usman Nurmagomedov, Bellator 300
Brent Primus

Bellator 300 Results: Usman Nurmagomedov defeats Brent Primus (Highlights)

Chris Taylor - October 7, 2023

We have you covered for all of tonight’s Bellator 300 results, including the lightweight title fight between Usman Nurmagomedov and Brent Primus. Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA) will be looking to earn his second straight lightweight title defense this evening in California. The undefeated Russian earned a first-round submission victory over former UFC champion Benson Henderson in his most previous effort at Bellator 292.

Bellator 300, Cris Cyrbog, Umar Nurmagomedov, Results
Brent Primus

Bellator 300: 'Usman vs. Primus' Live Results and Highlights

Chris Taylor - October 7, 2023

The cage returns to San Diego for tonight’s Bellator 300 event, a 16-bout fight card headlined by Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus. Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA) will be looking to earn his second straight lightweight title defense this evening in California. The undefeated Russian earned a first-round submission victory over former UFC champion Benson Henderson in his most previous effort at Bellator 292.

Cain Velasquez
Cain Velasquez

Cain Velasquez gets court order to allow him to corner teammate Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 300

Cole Shelton - October 2, 2023

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will be in the corner of his teammate Usman Nurmagomedov this weekend at Bellator 300. Velasquez has been out on bail for nearly a year after spending months in jail following charges that included attempted murder. Part of the bail was Velasquez would have to wear GPS tracking. He must also comply with a protective order 300 yards away from the victims in the case and have travel restrictions.

Usman Nurmagomedov, Bellator 300
Brent Primus

Usman Nurmagomedov set to defend lightweight title at Bellator 300 against Brent Primus

Cole Shelton - August 4, 2023

Bellator will be holding its 300 event and Usman Nurmagomedov will be defending his lightweight title on the card. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com that Nurmagomedov will defend his title against Brent Primus, which also serves as the semifinals of the Bellator lightweight grand prix at Bellator 300. The event is set to go down on October 7 in San Diego, California. One source said this event could see multiple title fights on the card as it could be the final event in Bellator history. It’s also unclear if this fight will be the main event of the historic and potential final Bellator event.

Usman Nurmagomedov, Bellator 292, Bellator, Benson Henderson
Benson Henderson

Bellator 292 Results: Usman Nurmagomedov stops Benson Henderson in Round 1 (Video)

Chris Taylor - March 10, 2023

Usman Nurmagomedov puts his lightweight title on the line against former UFC champion Benson Henderson in tonight’s Bellator 292 main event. Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since claiming the lightweight world title with a unanimous decision victory over Patricky Pitbull. The Russian phenom has gone 5-0 since joining the Bellator ranks in April of 2021.

Scott-Coker
Benson Henderson

Scott Coker announces Bellator lightweight Grand Prix featuring names like Usman Nurmagomedov and Benson Henderson to begin in March

Josh Evanoff - January 11, 2023

Bellator president Scott Coker has revealed some big plans for this year. The Showtime-based promotion is prone to doing some ideas that are a bit outside the box. Recently, the promotion traveled to Japan to send five of their best fighters against five of RIZIN’s best. Bellator wound up sweeping the matchups, with names like A.J. McKee and Patricio Pitbull picking up big wins.

Usman Nurmagomedov, Patricky Pitbull, Pros react, Bellator 288, Bellator
Patricky Pitbull

Pros react after Usman Nurmagomedov dethrones Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 288

Zain Bando - November 18, 2022

In the co-main event of Bellator 288, Patricky Pitbull fought Usman Nurmagomedov for the promotions lightweight strap. Nurmagomedov, 15-0, is the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov and had a chance to deliver on the family legacy this evening. Usman entered tonight’s contest having won his last three fights in a row by way of first-round stoppages (2 subs, 1 TKO).

Patricky Freire
Patricky Pitbull

Patricky Freire relishing in underdog status against Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 288: "It motivates me a lot"

Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2022

Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire is fine with being the underdog against Usman Nurmagomedov. The Brazilian is set to make his first title defense tomorrow night at Bellator 288. Freire famously captured the belt in his rematch with Peter Queally last November. In that outing, he won by second-round knockout, finally winning gold after a decade in the promotion.

Chris Gonzalez
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Chris Gonzalez plans to bring the fight to Usman Nurmagomedov and make him "uncomfortable" at Bellator 283 to earn a title shot

Cole Shelton - July 18, 2022

Chris Gonzalez always wanted to fight Usman Nurmagomedov ever since both men signed with Bellator. At Bellator 283, Gonzalez is set to face Nurmagomedov in a crucial lightweight scrap and one that Gonzalez has wanted.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Usman Nurmagomedov detained in Moscow following alleged hit and run on a police officer

Christopher Taylor - November 11, 2021

Bellator standout Usman Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC icon Khabib, was detained in Moscow following a hit and run on a police officer. The incident allegedly occurred earlier today while Usman and a friend were traveling by car to an airport near Kaspiysk in Dagestan.

Fedor-Emelianenko-Tim-Johnson
Fedor Emelianenko

Bellator 269: ‘Fedor vs Johnson’ Live Results and Highlights

Chris Taylor - October 23, 2021

MMA returns to Moscow this evening with Bellator 269, a ten-bout fight card headlined by heavyweights Fedor Emelianenko and Tim Johnson. Emelianenko (39-6 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since December of 2019, where he earned a first round knockout victory over Quinton ‘Rampage‘ Jackson. ‘The Last Emperor’ has gone 3-2 over his past five fights overall.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman Nurmagomedov
ONE Championship

Manager: Usman Nurmagomedov is "a better version" of cousin Khabib

Tom Taylor - August 4, 2020

Ali Abdelaziz, the CEO of MMA management firm Dominance MMA, says that undefeated lightweight prospect Usman Nurmagomedov is even better than his cousin, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Speaking to Andy Whitelaw of Asian MMA, Abdelaziz was asked to identify the brightest prospects he currently represents—prospects like Khamzat Chimaev, who recently burst into the limelight in the UFC.