In an exclusive interview with Telecomasia.net, Russian MMA fighter Eduard Vartanyan assessed Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov's victory over Alexandr Shabliy.
Vartanyan explained:
Usman did everything right. He fought in his style, and it’s crucial not to let your opponent have their way. Nurmagomedov controlled the distance. Alexandr made attempts to grapple, but that was purely a tactical mistake on his part. He played too defensively, as if he was afraid of something. To beat Nurmagomedov, you need to impose your own pace, apply pressure, and take the lead. That’s how I would approach it. After all, he is a tall fighter, so working at different levels is essential
It's worth noting that the fight between Nurmagomedov and Shabliy ended with Usman winning by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46. Nurmagomedov now boasts 18 victories and no losses, with one fight deemed a no contest. In his career, Shabliy has achieved 24 wins and suffered four defeats.