After a prolonged layoff, Bellator is back to provide its most current “Champions Series” occasions later on this evening (Sat., Sept. 7, 2024) in within Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. Headlining the occasion will be a light-weight title battle in between department champ, Usman Nurmagomedov, and Alexandr Shabliy. In the co-main occasion, welterweight heavy players, Lorenz Larkin and Levan Chokheli, will toss down in a light-weight scrap.

Champion Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexandr Shabliy

The Nurmagomedov household merely isn’t utilized to losing, and Usman is among the most dominant members of the famous battle camp. He had actually won 17 straight battles, that includes going ideal (6-0) under the Bellator banner and won the 155-pound strap thanks to a dominant win over Patricky Pitbull. However, his very first acne came at Bellator 300 after beating Brent Primus. Shortly after his big win, it was exposed that he had actually stopped working a post-fight drug test. That stated, the champ was not removed of his title and preserved his position of not deliberately taking a prohibited compound. With that behind him, he is out to advise the battle world simply how hazardous he can be. He will be dealing with a man who is on an objective of his won in Shabliy, who has actually not tasted defeat in 8 years. Currently on nine-fight win streak, Shabliy has actually gone 5-0 in the Bellator cage, and now all his effort has actually culminated in his first-ever significant title battle. Shabliy got approval for his chance at the 155-pound title after beating Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 301 in the Lightweight Grand Prix semifinal, and though this battle won’t be the $1 million bout he was expecting, it’s still a big chance for him.

Prediction: Nurmagomedov through consentaneous choice

Lorenz Larkin vs. Levan Chokheli

Longtime veteran, Larkin, has actually been combating expert for 15 years now, and “The Monsoon” is still combating at a high level. The man has actually contended in all of the significant mixed martial arts companies, consisting of UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator and PFL. In truth, he made a splash in his PFL launching by knocking out Alan Dominguez in the really preliminary, and he wishes to construct on that momentum with a win over Chokheli, who has actually discovered his stride over his last couple of battles. Winner of 3 directly — all inside the Bellator cage — Chokheli was last seen ruining Sabah Homasi through preliminary technical knockout (TKO) at Bellator 299 a year ago (see it once again here), so he is itching to return into action. Of his 13 wins, 10 have actually visited method of knockout, while Larkin has 14 knockouts on his resume. Don’t anticipate this battle to go the range, however do anticipate to be captivated for as long as it lasts.

Prediction: Larkin through second-round TKO

Douglas Lima vs. Aaron Jeffery

Lima has actually long been a hard rival, however it’s safe to state that the man has actually seen much better days inside the cage. Sure, he is coming off a big win over Costello van Steenis at Bellator 296, however prior to that “The Phenom” had actually lost 4 directly. Granted, it protested terrific competitors, losing to Gegard Mousasi, Yaroslav Amosov, Michael Page and Jason Jackson, however the truth stays a loss is a loss. At 36 years of age, it’s simple to state he’s lost an action or more, however he is still downing along and is identified to reveal he has actually plenty left in the gas tank after inking an agreement extension previously this year. As for Jeffery, he has actually been a bit irregular himself, going 3-2 under the Bellator cage, dropping huge battles to Fabian Edwards and John Salter. Still, Jeffery is everything about durability and grit, and this is his opportuntiy to get the greatest win of his profession.

Prediction: Jeffery through third-round TKO

Yancy Medeiros vs. Jora Ayvazyan

Like Douglas Lima, Yancy Medeiros snapped his four-fight losing streak by beating Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 279, though his follow up win over Charles Leary was reversed to a “no contest” after stopping working a post-fight drug test. He wishes to turn a brand-new page and put that behind him when he invites Jora Ayvazyan to the Bellator cage. Ayvazyan is 14-1 in his professional mixed martial arts profession and is presently delighting in a five-fight win streak. This will be his very first huge test in the major leagues, and I totally anticipate him to shine, even more contributing to Medeiros’ issues.

Prediction: Ayvazyan through second-round submission

Mackenzie Stiller vs. Sumiko Inaba

After Keri Taylor Melendez withdrew from her battle versus Inaba due to an injury, Mackenzie Stiller got the call. Furthermore, after the occasion lost its co-main occasion bout in between Raufeon Stots and Marcos Breno, this bout rose to the primary card. Stiller left to a fantastic start with Bellator by winning her very first 2 battles with the promo, and after that went on to win a battle on the local circuit before getting the call back. She is 3-0 in her young mixed martial arts profession, and a face-off versus Inaba is a big action up. That’s since Inaba is as experienced as they can be found in ladies’s mixed martial arts. During her four-year profession, she has actually collected a 7-1 record. won her very first 4 battles inside the Bellator cage through blockage, with her only loss coming versus Denise Kielholtz. She recuperated well with a an effective PFL launching versus Saray Orozco this previous summertime. At completion of the day, she will be excessive, prematurely, for Stiller,

Prediction: Inaba through consentaneous choice

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