Bellator weighs Nurmagomedov’s lightweight title status as anti-doping case unfolds
The Bellator promotion is set to determine the status of Usman Nurmagomedov, the lightweight champion, as a doping case progresses through official channels. Bellator president Scott Coker indicated that the organization will review the ruling once the anti-doping process advances, signaling that the belt remains with Nurmagomedov for the moment while the investigation continues.
On November 11, Nurmagomedov was ruled to face a six-month suspension for a violation of anti-doping rules. The initial contest outcome against Primus was rescinded as part of the sanction, prompting speculation in the MMA community about whether the title would be vacated and who would advance to the Grand Prix final as a result.
Nurmagomedov, at 25 years old, has never tasted defeat in his professional mixed martial arts career. He has accumulated 18 fights, winning every one of them, including eight victories by knockout, underscoring his rapid ascent in the sport and his ability to finish fights with authority.
Usman Nurmagomedov is the cousin of former UFC lightweights champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, a connection that adds to the attention around his career and the broader Nurmagomedov family’s impact on the sport.
Previously, Usman Nurmagomedov issued a public statement amid the doping controversy, addressing the situation and outlining his stance as the case moved through the appropriate athletic and regulatory channels. The response highlighted commitments to transparency and medical oversight while questions about the suspension and its implications for rankings and future matchups circulated among fans and analysts alike.