The title fight between reigning Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and the division’s number one contender, Alexander Shablia, will take place on May 17 at the Bellator event in Paris.
Informed sources close to the situation reported on the organization of the fight of the Russians.
Last November, the head of the California State Athletic Commission, Andy Foster, announced that Usman Nurmagomedov had failed a doping test and was disqualified for six months, and that his fight with Brent Primus, which took place as part of the Bellator lightweight grand prix semifinals, had been ruled a no contest.
The Russian fighter in a published statement acknowledged the presence of a banned substance in his system, explaining that it was part of the medication prescribed to him by his doctor. At the same time, Nurmagomedov did not have a therapeutic authorization to use the drug, as he did not notify the Athletic Commission.
In the quarterfinal grand prix matchup, undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov finished Benson Henderson with a rear-naked choke as early as the first round.
Alexander Shabliy advanced to the Bellator Grand Prix finals by defeating former Bellator champion Patricky Freire by unanimous decision, and in the quarterfinals, the Russian finished Tofik Musaev by technical knockout.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/33821-naznachen-boj-usmana-nurmagomedova-i-aleksandra-shabliya.html?rand=19907
