Bellator Champions Series: Usman Nurmagomedov and Patchy Mix to defend world titles in Paris

In the main event, Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0, 1 NC) will attempt to remain undefeated and retain his lightweight title when he locks horns with Alexander Shabliy (23-3) a man who has not been beaten in eight years.

Nurmagomedov has proven to be one of the most dominant champions in the sport at just 25 years of age.

In seven fights with Bellator, Nurmagomedov has gone undefeated and captured a world title in a division many consider to be the toughest in the sport.

Dethroning former lightweight world champion Patricky Pitbull, the Khabib Nurmagomedov protege defended his title against MMA legend Benson Henderson enroute to his matchup on May 17.

A striking specialist who has gone 8-0 under the Bellator banner, Alexander Shabliy has also defeated the upper echelon of the 155-pound division, including the aforementioned Pitbull and Tofiq Musayev, and impressively scored a second-round knockout against former Bellator lightweight champion Brent Primus. 

The co-main event features Bellator Bantamweight champion Patchy Mix (19-1) returning to action against Magomed Magomedov (16-1). Mix and Magomedov renew a rivalry that began in  2022 at the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Semi Finals, a tournament Mix went on to win.

Widely regarded as the best bantamweight in MMA, Mix has been on a rampage since his first title shot in 2020.

Currently in the midst of six straight victories, Mix dominated the Bantamweight World Grand Prix where he defeated former interim bantamweight champion Raufeon Stots with a devastating “Knockout of the Year” nominee in the first round.

Most recently, Mix met former bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis in a title unification bout where he submitted Pettis in the second-round.

A World Grand Prix semifinalist, Magomedov inserted himself back into the win column when he submitted former title challenger Danny Sabatello in Japan in the opening frame.

Now with momentum back on his side, Magomedov enters his first title shot with revenge on his mind in a highly anticipated rematch.

In addition to the main and co-main events, France’s Gregory Babene (23-11), who has won eight consecutive contests will compete in a middleweight no. 1 contender bout against Holland’s Costello van Steenis (14-3) during the main card.

Also, former Olympian and French Heavyweight, Slim Trabelsi (6-0) returns to Paris where he began his career as Francis Ngannou’s training partner. Trabelsi is set to face Scotland’s Louie Sutherland (6-2) at heavyweight.

The preliminary portion of Bellator Champions Series Paris is also beginning to take shape, with the news that France’s Mansour Barnaoui (20-6) will compete on May 17 at lightweight against Japan’s Bellator and RIZIN veteran Yusuke Yachi (26-13).

Bellator Champions Series Paris can be seen live by fans throughout Europe via DAZN, with the action beginning at 5 pm CEST.

 

Bellator Champions Series Paris Main Card:

Lightweight World Title Bout
Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0, 1 NC) vs. Alexander Shabliy (23-3)

Bantamweight World Title Bout
Patchy Mix (19-1) vs. Magomed Magomedov (16-1)

Middleweight No. 1 Contender’s Bout
Gregory Babene (23-11) vs. Costello van Steenis (14-3)

Heavyweight Main Card Bout
Slim Trabelsi (6-0) vs. Louie Sutherland (6-2)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout
Mansour Barnaoui (20-6) vs. Yusuke Yachi (26-13)