Russian lightweight Alexander Shabliy signs multifight deal with Bellator
Russian prospect Alexander Shabliy is the newest addition to Bellator MMA’s lightweight roster.
First reported by MMA Junkie, The 27-year-old standout signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion. There is no known date on when Shabliy will make his Bellator debut at this time.
The 19-3 lightweight is currently on a four-fight win streak, including two finishes. He most recently defeated Alexandre Cidade via unanimous decision at ProFC66 in December 2019.
His last defeat is from over four years ago. He dropped a split decision to Eduar Vartanyan at ACB 49: The Rostov Sich back in November 2016.
He has a knack for putting his opponents away early with 16 of 18 victories coming by finish. Only one of his losses came before the completion of three rounds. He suffered a second-round rear-naked choke loss to Arsen Ubaidulaev at ProFC 49: Resurrection in July 2013.
He holds notable wins over current Bellator fighters like Ryan Quinn and Glerisyone Santos. He also owns a unanimous decision win against former UFC lightweight Adriano Martins.
He is currently training with the UFC talent Dustin Poirier and Jorge Masvidal at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. He even posted a photo on Instagram of him training with the current UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan.
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He joins a Bellator lightweight division, which is currently missing a champion after Michael Chandler signed with the UFC last September. Among the top of the division is former champion Brent Primis, former UFC champion Benson Henderson, former UFC lightweight Myles Jury and former Bellator title challengers Sidney Outlaw and Patricky “Pitbull” Freire.
Some other sin the mix include Keoni Diggs, Jaleel Willis and Georgi Karakhanyan
