The Bellator MMA lightweight championship was on the line in the main event of Bellator San Diego.
Usman Nurmagomedov put his undefeated record and title on the line against No. 1 contender Alexandr Shabliy. “Peresvet” proved tricky at first as Shabliy (24-4) was able to find a home for his quick right hand. However, Nurmagomedov (18-0, 1 NC) was the more active fighter and would sprinkle in the occasional takedown attempt to pull clearly ahead in the fight in the second and third rounds. The championship rounds would see Nurmagomedov continue controlling the fight, even hurting the challenger with a head kick in Round 4.
After five rounds of action, Nurmagomedov’s hand was raised after scores of 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46 were read.
Larkin Smashes Chokheli
The co-main event saw the 38-year-old Lorenz Larkin take on Levan Chokheli, who was 11 years his junior.
“The Monsoon” lived up to his nickname and showed that age is only a number by scoring a quick knockout. Larkin (27-8, 2 NC) became the number one contender at welterweight by hurting the Georgian fighter with a right hand. Larkin kept up the pressure and put Chokheli (13-3, 1 NC) out cold with follow-up punches.
The stoppage officially came just 1:53 into the first round.
Related » Bellator San Diego Round-by-Round Scoring
Jeffery’s Takedowns Stifle Lima
Former welterweight champion Douglas Lima looked to earn a middleweight title fight by dispatching Aaron Jeffery.
However, it was Jeffery (15-5) who came out aggressive and immediately took Lima (33-12) to the ground and easily won the opening round. “The Phenom” would scare the Canadian early in the second fame, though, landing some solid punches before the two went into a stalemate in the clinch. It all came down to the final five minutes, which saw Jeffery get a takedown and dominate with unanswered punches.
After 15 minutes of action, Jeffery earned three 29-28 scorecards giving him a unanimous decision win.
Inaba Outworks Stiller
Women’s flyweight contender Sumiko Inaba impressed against the formerly undefeated Mackenzie Stiller.
The opening frame showed that Inaba (8-1) was much more confident on the feet. Stiller (3-1) didn’t take well to getting hit in the face, which led to “Lady Samurai” upping the pressure. After surviving a brief armbar attempt by Stiller, Inaba was able to pick up a TKO win with an onslaught of punches.
The TKO stoppage officially came at 4:25 of Round 2.
Ayvazyan Outgrapples Medeiros
The Bellator San Diego main card kicked off with a lightweight bout between fan-favorite Yancy Medeiros and promising prospect Zhora Ayvazyan.
Ayvazyan proved that he had a grappling advantage early on and managed to largely control Medeiros (16-9, 2 NC) on the ground to secure the first round. While the 37-year-old “The Kid” was game throughout, the Armenian fighter was dominant on the ground and on the feet over the final 10 minutes. This led to Ayvazyan taking a unanimous decision victory with a trio of 30-27 scorecards in his favor
Ayvazyan now holds an impressive 15-1 record as a professional at just 29.
Bellator San Diego Prelim Results:
In preliminary action, middleweight prospect Jordan Newman (7-0) put the first blemish on the record of Imamshafi Aliev (9-1) by winning a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27); Masayuki Kikuiri (10-2-1) put away fellow welterweight Herman Terrado (15-7-1) with a brutal body kick at the 2:54 mark of the third round; Bryce Meredith (7-0) stayed an undefeated bantamweight prospect by putting Jonathan Macalolooy (4-2) to sleep with a rear-naked choke at 3:15 of Round 1; Josh Hokit (2-0) used an armbar to submit heavyweight opponent Sean Rose (2-3) with just two seconds left in the first round; and Ashley Thiner (1-0) picked up the first win of her career at strawweight by finishing Aysia Cortez (0-1) with a barrage of punches at 3:11 of Round 2.
