Undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov to defend lightweight title against Alexander Shabbily in San Diego on Sept. 7 Middleweight championship on the line when undefeated Johnny Eblen takes on Fabian Edwards in London on Sept. 14 NEW YORK: Bellator Champions Series will return in September with two straight weeks of global action, headlined by two Bellator World Championship bouts. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport First up, on Saturday, Sept. 7, Bellator Champions Series San Diego will feature a Lightweight World Championship main event. Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0, 1 NC) will attempt to retain both his undefeated run and his 155-pound title when he locks horns with Alexander Shabliy (23-3), a man who has not been beaten in eight years. One week later on Saturday, Sept. 14, the Bellator Middleweight World Championship is on the line in the main event of Bellator Champions Series London, when undefeated Johnny Eblen (15-0) will once again face off against England’s Fabian Edwards (13-3). Last year, Bellator was bought by the PIF-backed Professional Fighters League. “September is set to be a huge month for Bellator Champions Series, and we’re continuing to step up our game to deliver incredible cards that we know the MMA community across the globe will love,” said Peter Murray, PFL CEO. “Both San Diego and London are massive markets for us, and we’re confident we’ll put on a show that the fans in attendance, and those watching around the world on Max and DAZN, deserve. “Our world-class roster has allowed us to hold two cards in two weeks, and you’re going to see that, as we announce more fights and events, the future is incredibly bright for PFL and Bellator. It’s going to be a September to remember, see you there.” Additional contests for both cards will be announced shortly. Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexander Shabliy Originally set to take place at Bellator Champions Series Paris in May, this Lightweight World Championship fight has been highly anticipated ever since it was first mooted. At just 26 years of age, Usman Nurmagomedov has proven he is one of the sport’s most dominant champions. He is undefeated in seven fights with Bellator and has captured a world title in a division many consider the toughest in the sport. Dethroning former Lightweight World Champion Patricky Pitbull, the Khabib Nurmagomedov protege defended his title against MMA legend Benson Henderson en route to this matchup on September 7. A striking specialist who has gone 8-0 under the Bellator banner, Alexander Shabliy has also defeated the upper echelons of the 155-pound division, including the aforementioned Pitbull and Tofiq Musayev, and impressively scored a second-round knockout against former Bellator Lightweight Champion Brent Primus. Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards A rematch from 2023, Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards took each other to the limit during their first encounter in Dublin at Bellator 299, where Eblen finished the fight via TKO in the third round and emotions flew high in the immediate aftermath. Since then, the American Top Team standout has gone on to pick up a win over Impa Kasanganay at PFL vs. Bellator: Champs vs. Champs for the Middleweight Super Belt, while Edwards bounced back with a unanimous victory against Canada’s Aaron Jeffery this past March at Bellator Champions Series Belfast to earn his rematch. The 2024 Bellator Champions Series schedule is as follows: Saturday, June 22 — Bellator Champions Series Dublin — 3Arena Saturday, Sept. 7 — Bellator Champions Series San Diego — Pechanga Arena San Diego Saturday, Sept. 14 — Bellator Champions Series London — OVO Arena Wembley Saturday, Oct. 12 — Bellator Champions Series Chicago — Wintrust Arena Saturday, Nov. 16 — Bellator Champions Series Paris — ADIDAS Arena Tuesday, Dec. 31 — Bellator Champions Series — TBD