Usman Nurmagomedov got the step up in competition he was looking for.
Nurmagomedov (14-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) meets Chris Gonzalez at Bellator 283, which takes place July 22 at Emerald Queen Casino and Hotel in Tacoma, Wash.
The unbeaten rising star has torn through competition so far, but Team Alpha Male’s Gonzalez (7-1 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) arguably will mark Nurmagomedov’s sternest test to date.
“My opponent is a very good fighter, good athlete, a very good challenge for me, and yeah, I was asking for some fight like that,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie. “After my last fight, I was asking Bellator and I was asking my management to get me a tough opponent for my next fight.
“After this fight, maybe he’s going to put me in a contender’s (fight), maybe not. We’ll see. We have fight. First, we need to win this fight, and after we’re going to talk.”
Being former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s cousin has added extra attention and expectations toward the 24-year-old, who now finds himself Bellator’s third-ranked lightweight after just three fights. But Nurmagomedov is not concerned with the outside noise and plans on continuing to let his fighting do the talking.
“The most important thing I’m looking forward to is to get more experience out of this fight,” Nurmagomedov said. “I’m not looking to get more fans, more hype. It’s not like my priority. I’m looking forward to getting my experience and to show my skill set – to prove to everyone and to show everyone that I belong to be the best one.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 283.
