Alexander Shabliy is through.
The Bellator lightweight defeated Tofiq Musayev by third-round TKO at Friday’s Bellator 292 and is now moving on to the semifinal of the Bellator lightweight grand prix. Shabliy (23-3 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) is expected to take on the winner of A. J. McKee vs. Patricky Freire.
The lightweight grand prix quarterfinal was the Bellator 292 co-main event at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.
It was a tough fight to score, but perhaps for not the fun reasons.
Both Musayev (20-5 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) and Shabliy came out tentative, and they were hesitant to exchange. Musayev, for the most part, did most of the pressuring, while Shabliy backed up. Both did a lot of faints and would occasionally exchange here and there. This went on for the first two rounds.
In Round 3, Shabliy hit Musayev with a front, push kick to the chest. After connecting and on its way down, it did hit Musayev on the groin. The fight was stopped, as Musayev was hurt. It appeared to be a foul, but the referee would deem it a clean it, as it first connected on Musayev’s chest, this awarding Shabliy the victory.
Alexander Shabliy gets the TKO finish! @BellatorMMA#Bellator292’s Main Card is LIVE on @Showtime! pic.twitter.com/Uj5e71PCVF
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) March 11, 2023
With the win, Shabliy furthers his impressive wining streak. The Russian standout is on an eight-fight winning streak, which includes notable victories over former Bellator champion Brent Primus and former UFC fighter Adriano Martins. Shabliy joined the Bellator ranks in 2021 and has established himself as one of the top fighters in just a couple of years.
Musayev suffered his first setback since joining Bellator. He entered tonight’s event coming off a successful debut where he knocked out Sidney Outlaw in the first round back in July at Belattor 283.
Up-to-the-minute Bellator 292 results include:
- Alexander Shabliy def. Tofiq Musayev via TKO – Round 3, 0:29
- Linton Vassell def. Valentin Moldavsky via KO (ground-and-pound) – Round 1, 3:03
- Michael Page def. Goiti Yamauchi via KO (leg kick) – Round 1, 0:26.
- Enrique Barzola def. Erik Perez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Josh Hill def. Cass Bell via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Khalid Murtazaliev def. Tony Johnson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov def. Julius Anglickas via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Laird Anderson def. Rogelio Luna via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2;41.
- Theo Haig def. Adam Wamsley via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 3:01.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 292.
