Bellator signs undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov, cousin of Khabib
Bellator pulled off a major coup Friday, signing undefeated prospect Usman Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, to a multi-fight deal, promotion officials told ESPN's Ariel Helwani.
Usman, who owns an 11-0 record with 10 finishes, will compete in Bellator's lightweight division.
Needless to say, that’s a huge signing by Bellator. Most expected he’d sign w/ UFC first.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 2, 2020
Over the past couple months, Bellator has been very aggressive in signing legit prospects rather than older stars. They’ve seemingly changed their philosophy (for the better, IMO).
Usman most recently defeated Svyatoslav Shabanov in September via second-round TKO at an event to honor Khabib's late father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Khabib, who also owns an undefeated 28-0 record, is set to take on interim 155-pound champion Justin Gaethje on Oct. 24 in a unification bout on Fight Island at UFC 254.