Credit: Twitter
Undefeated former UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov's cousin Usman Nurmagomedov, who competes in Bellator MMA, has successfully defended his lightweight title against the former UFC champion, Benson Henderson in the Bellator 292 grand prix quarterfinal at the SAP Center in San Jose, California on Friday night.
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Usman Nurmagomedov, who is the younger brother of UFC fighter Umar Nurmagomedov and cousin to Khabib, has won the Bellator Lightweight championship after defeating former champion Patricky Pitbull on November 18, 2022 at the Bellator 288.
Usman finished Benson in the first round of their fight as the 24-year-old Russian fighter dropped the 39-year-old Benson in the opening seconds of the bout and quickly grappled the American. A rear-naked choke was enough to defend the lightweight championship for Usman.
Watch the video here:
Usman's brother Umar and UFC Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev among others were present at the Bellator lightweight champion's corner and left thrilled with the quick victory. However, the former WEC and UFC Lightweight champion, Benson announced his retirement inside the cage during an interview with analyst John McCarthy after losing the fight.
Watch Usman's corner team's reaction:
Watch Benson announces his retirement:
Benson had two more fights left on his Bellator contract, however, the American fighter has decided to hung up his gloves to focus on his wife, Maria. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov advances to the semifinal round in the ongoing grand prix and will fight against the winner of Bellator 295 bout between Mansour Barnaoui and Brent Primus in May.
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