Nurmagomedov’s Bellator Debut Set For April 2

Usman Nurmagomedov will finally get to make his long-awaited Bellator MMA debut with the announcement that he will face off against Mike Hamel at the upcoming Bellator 255 event on April 2, 2021. Company President Scott Coker announced the matchup earlier today (Thurs., Feb. 25) on Twitter.

Nurmagomedov — who signed with the Viacom-owned promotion last October — is undefeated at 11-0. Fighting his entire career in Russia, his Bellator debut will also mark the first time he will compete in America.

Training alongside his cousin and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), the Lightweight contender has shown that despite his wrestling expertise, he can finish fights with a quickness In fact, 10 of his 11 victories came by way of knockout or submission, seven of them in the first round.

As for Hamel, he is coming off a loss to Adam Borics at Bellator 243 last August, which was “Magic’s” debut for the promotion. After starting his career a perfect 5-0, Hamel has fallen on hard times after dropping four of his last six.

Bellator 255 — which will air exclusively on Showtime — will feature a Featherweight championship rematch between division champion Patricio Freire and Emmanuel Sanchez in what will be the final semifinal match of the Featherweight Grand Prix.

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