All challengers look the same to Usman Nurmagomedov, even those who happen to rise out of his homeland.
The undefeated American Kickboxing Academy rep will put his Bellator MMA lightweight championship on the line against fellow Russian Alexandr Shabliy in the Bellator Champions Series 4 headliner on Sept. 7 at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego. Nurmagomedov has now held the 155-pound title for 652 days. He last competed at Bellator 300, where he laid claim to a five-round unanimous decision over Brent Primus on Oct.