Usman Nurmagomedov accomplished his goal of proving he’s a more complete fighting than Alexander Shabliy in the Bellator Champions Series: San Diego main event – even if he didn’t get the stoppage. Nurmagomedov (18-0) added to his unblemished record Saturday with a unanimous decision win over Shabliy (24-4) at Pechanga Arena to defend his Bellator lightweight strap. It was a highly tactical affair, albeit slow at times outside of a fourth-round burst where the champion had his challenge on the ropes from a head kick. Nevertheless, it was a clear victory for Nurmagomedov, who said he was pleased to silence Shabliy’s criticism of his path toward the belt by beating him with the gold on the line. “My game plan was to fight him,” Nurmagomedov told reporters at the post-fight press conference
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