Usman Nurmagomedov to face Benson Henderson in Bellator grand prix

Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov's first-round matchup in the lightweight grand prix is set.

Nurmagomedov will defend his title against former UFC champ Benson Henderson in the Bellator 292 main event on March 10 in San Jose, the promotion announced Wednesday.

Another tournament fight between Tofiq Musayev and Alexander Shabliy is also set for the card.

The eight participants in the 155-pound grand prix were revealed earlier Wednesday by Bellator president Scott Coker on "The MMA Hour." The four others - AJ McKee, Patricky "Pitbull" Freire, Mansour Barnaoui, and Sidney Outlaw - do not have their matchups announced yet.

All fights will be contested over five rounds.

Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, claimed Bellator gold in November with a unanimous decision rout of former champion Freire. Usman Nurmagomedov is 16-0 as a professional and holds a 5-0 record in Bellator.

This will be Henderson's second bid for the Bellator lightweight title and his third for Bellator gold overall. (He also fought for the welterweight belt.) The 39-year-old is coming off back-to-back wins over Islam Mamedov and Peter Queally in 2022.