Usman Nurmagomedov not pushing for title shot after Bellator 283 – but sure would love it

Usman Nurmagomedov would love a Bellator title shot after his latest win, but he might have some competition in the sweepstakes.

Nurmagomedov (15-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) submitted Chris Gonzalez (7-2 MMA, 6-2 BMMA) in the first round on the main card at Bellator 283 this past Friday in Tacoma, Wash. The win kept him unbeaten and was his third straight first-round finish after starting his Bellator career with a decision win in April 2021.

Nurmagomedov’s ascension up Bellator’s lightweight rankings came quickly with three fights in 2021. But his win over Gonzalez was his first fight in nine months. Now the No. 3-ranked 155-pounder thinks he has a good case for a title shot against champion Patricky Freire.

Freire was scheduled to defend his title against Sidney Outlaw at Bellator 283, but pulled out with an injury. Top contender Outlaw (16-5 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) stayed on the card and was knocked out by Tofiq Musayev (20-4 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) in just 27 seconds. Musayev has a win over Freire in 2019 in RIZIN and was asking for a title shot after his win, despite it being his promotional debut.

Nurmagomedov said after his win that he’ll take things in stride and if a title fight is offered, he’ll be glad to have it.

“Honestly, I haven’t watched (Freire’s) fights that much, but if they offer me this fight, I’m going to watch every single one of them,” Nurmagomedov said at his post-fight news conference. “I’m going to make a strategy, me and my team. I heard there will be an event in October. If they offer me this fight in October, I would love to take it and go. As far as how it’s going to go, I’m just going to go out there and be myself, as always.”

When Nurmagomedov was himself Friday against Gonzalez, things seemed to be a relative breeze once again. The 23-year-old cousin of former UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov said what he likes to do is take things as they come.

It just so happens lately, what comes are first-round finishes.

“I never try to guess the future – I just go with the flow,” Nurmagomedov said. “I was ready for three rounds, but a finish is a finish. I’m always looking for a finish, and tonight it happened again. I’m thankful. I had a very good camp and no injuries, thank God. So if Bellator offers me a fight next week, I’m ready to take it.

“When I wrapped my hands around his neck and I locked the choke, I knew there was no way he was going to get out of it. When he tapped, I was very happy.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 283.