Highly touted prospect (just look at the last name) Usman Nurmagomedov will make his promotional debut for Bellator MMA in April.
Bellator CEO Scott Coker announced via social media Friday that the Dagestani fighter will compete at Bellator 255 on April 2, 2021. In his debut fight for the promotion, Nurmagomedov will take on Mike Hamel.
Nurmagomedov (11-0) is a cousin of recently retired UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov. Given the success of the Nurmagomedov clan in general, a lot of eyes will be on the Russian when he steps into the cage against Hamel.
The bulk of Nurmagomedov’s fights thus far have come on the regional circuit, with a couple of dates for UAE Warriors and Brave CF sprinkled in. Usman was actually one of our 10 Lightweights the UFC Should Sign in 2020. Bellator beat them to the punch.
Hamel (7-4), fighting out of Glendale, Arizona, will be looking to bounce back from a loss to Adam Borics in the fight. Though he started his career a promising 4-0, in his last four bouts, the 28-year old has been trading wins and losses. Hamel previously competed for LFA and Combate Americas, prior to making his Bellator debut against Borics.
Bellator 255 takes place April 2, 2021 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. The card is headlined by a featherweight title fight between double-champ Patricio Pitbull and Emmanuel Sanchez, part of the Bellator featherweight grand prix. Neiman Gracie faces Jason Jackson in the welterweight co-main event.
