Khabib’s cousin Usman Nurmagomedov admits to feeling ‘a bit of stress’ as he seems to increase undefeated streak at Bellator 255

Usman Nurmagomedov will probably be seeking to preserve the legacy of his well-known combating identify when he takes on his second Bellator outing on Saturday, however the undefeated 12-Zero rising star admits he’s feeling stress forward of the struggle.

Nurmagomedov fights in entrance of American followers for the primary time in his profession on the occasion which is able to happen at The Discussion board in Inglewood, California in a struggle which comes virtually precisely 4 months after the highly-touted light-weight fighter earned a clear-cut unanimous resolution win in his debut with the American struggle league in April.

The 23-year-old will tackle American veteran Luis Munro in one of many featured bouts on a Bellator card being hailed by many as the most effective blended martial arts occasions of the yr, to be topped by a hugely-anticipated featherweight showdown between Patricio Freire and AJ McKee.

Like Nurmagomedov, Muro is undefeated in his Bellator tenure, though he misplaced a number of instances earlier in his profession and will probably be hoping to make use of his opponent’s identify as a springboard to launch his personal title bid in the promotion’s light-weight fold.

In fact, that will not come straightforward. Nurmagomedov is the newest in a protracted line of Dagestani grapplers to have filtered from the tutelage of his late uncle, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and handed by way of the halls of the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California the place his abilities have been streamlined by Javier Mendez – the person answerable for coaching the likes of Khabib and Islam Makhachev. 

However with that well-known identify, and the entire expectations that include it, comes a really brilliant highlight – one thing that Usman says he has to be taught to take care of.

“Every part is okay,” mentioned Nurmagomedov of his preparations forward of Saturday’s struggle.

“I really feel nice. I’m joyful to be right here for [my] second Bellator struggle. I’m nonetheless getting used to all of the cameras and all these interviews however it’s effective.

“It’s a giant a part of the sport, so I’ve to get used to it. It’s even a bit of stress, however that’s effective.

“I miss the followers. I’m combating for the followers. That’s what it’s all about, so I’m very excited to struggle with a crowd.”

Nurmagomedov will enter the bout as a heavy favourite in opposition to the 12-6 Muro and can know that a powerful win – and on such a excessive profile card – may properly expedite what looks as if an inevitable stand up the Bellator light-weight rankings.

In that occasion, one suspects that newest potential world-beater from the Nurmagomedov household meeting line of savages may simply must get used to the cameras and the brilliant lights earlier than lengthy.

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