Khabib Nurmagomedov: 'Usman Nurmagomedov is the future of this sport'

Khabib Nurmagomedov envisions big things for his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov (17-0) defends his lightweight title against Alexander Shabliy (24-3) in the Bellator Champions Series: San Diego headliner Saturday at Pechanga Arena.

Khabib will be in the corner of Usman, the younger brother of top UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov.

“Usman Nurmagomedov is the future of this sport,” Khabib said in a video posted by Bellator MMA. “Usman is young generation from our gym. Him and me was trained by my father, and now I train him. We spend years and years together in gyms, like, more than 15 years.

“He always was, like, so competitive. That’s why he’s still undefeated, that’s why he’s Bellator lightweight world champion and he defend his title. Next fight he will show and he will prove why he’s one of the best in the world right now.”

Usman told MMA Junkie he plans on mauling Shabliy and have Khabib wrap the belt around his waist. On paper, Shabliy is expected by many experts to be the toughest test of Usman’s career. Shabliy is on a nine-fight winning streak, including wins over Brent Primus, Tofiq Musayev, and Patricky Pitbull.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event page for Bellator Champions Series: San Diego.