Usman Nurmagomedov, the undefeated Bellator lightweight champion, has decided to pull out of his upcoming bout. He was scheduled to fight Alexander Shabliy in the upcoming Bellator Paris fight card on May 17. The card also featured a much-anticipated fight between rising French MMA star Cedric Doumbe and Derek Anderson. Even that bout will not go forward as Anderson has pulled out of the contest due to an injury.
Nurmagomedov previously defeated Brent Primus at Bellator 300 via unanimous decision in San Diego, California. However, the win was later taken away from the Dagestani superstar after he tested positive for having prohibited substances in his system. However, the 25-year-old remained the champion as the nature of the doping was deemed unintentional.
𝙁𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏 𝘾𝘼𝙍𝘿 𝙐𝙋𝘿𝘼𝙏𝙀 🚨 #BellatorParis
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 22, 2024
* Cédric Doumbé vs. Derek Anderson added as co-main event.
* Patchy Mix vs. Magomed Magomedov moved to main event.
* Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexander Shabliy has been postponed due to an injury to Nurmagomedov and will be… pic.twitter.com/CUKYbZN5yI
Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz revealed that the positive PED test was due to prescribed medications that the fighter had been using for a long time. California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) later punished Nurmagomedov with a $50,000 fine and a six-month suspension from competing in California in November 2023. This was going to be his return to fighting after the whole fiasco. However, it now seems fans will have to wait longer.
After Usman Nurmagomedov pulled out, Bellator announced a new main event for the Paris card
In an official statement, Bellator revealed Usman Nurmagomedov pulled out due to an undisclosed “injury.” So it clarifies that there is no PED-related matter for him being out of the upcoming Bellator Paris. However, Usman fans should not be too disappointed as the MMA promotion has also revealed that the bout between Nurmagomedov and Alexander Shabliy will be re-booked for a later date.
And, the company has also reshuffled the fight card. Now, the Bellator bantamweight champ Patchy Mix is moved to the main event slot, where he will defend the belt against Magomed Magomedov. In the co-main event, Cedric Doumbe was supposed to face Derek Anderson in a welterweight bout. However, after Anderso’s injury, it will be interesting to see if Doumbe will stay on the card at all.
PARIS WE’RE COMING! 🇫🇷
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 22, 2024
👑🇺🇸 Patchy Mix 🆚 Magomed Magomedov 🇷🇺
🇫🇷 Cédric Doumbé 🆚 Derek Anderson 🇺🇸
🔟 FIGHTS! 🔥#BellatorParis | Fri May 17 | 🎟️ Link in bio pic.twitter.com/GOzL5gLlNO
Anderson took to his Instagram account to reveal that he had a ‘hit and run’ accident where his left leg seemed to have been mangled badly. The card will also feature other popular fighters like Gregory Babene, Costello Van Steenis, and Yves Landu. The event takes place on Friday, May 17, 2024.