Bellator 300 results, highlights: Usman Nurmagomedov outclasses Brent Primus, retains lightweight title

Nurmagomedov moves onto the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix finals following a masterclass performance

Usman Nurmagomedov is shaping up to be something special and that doesn't always equate to an exciting fight. Nurmagomedov picked apart a lively but ill-equipped Brent Primus over five rounds to retain the lightweight championship. Nurmagomedov left Bellator 300 in San Diego on Saturday without so much as a scratch on him.

Nurmagomedov made the main event look like a sparring lesson. He was the elusive matador. Primus was the raging bull, constantly pressing forward but incapable of cornering the champion. Nurmagomedov picked apart Primus with accurate and diverse strikes to all targets while mixing in his superior wrestling.

A knockout or submission isn't promised when the odds side heavily with one fighter. Sometimes, the underdog is so stripped of opportunity that they must concede to surviving. That was the case on Saturday. Primus tried to fight but lacked the tools required to accomplish much. Nurmagomedov's situational awareness was outstanding. He masterfully slipped in and out of range, moved laterally and circled away to avoid being trapped by Primus' forward pressure. The 25-year-old champion has a sky-high ceiling and it will be interesting to see how he develops further.

Nurmagomedov (18-0) made the second defense of his lightweight champion on Saturday. He will meet the winner of Patricky Pitbull vs. Alexander Shabliy -- who fight at Bellator 301 on Nov. 17 -- in the finals of the $1 million Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix. Nurmagomedov defeated Pitbull last November to become champion and has never faced Shabily.

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CBS Sports was with you the entire way on Saturday bringing you all the results and highlights from the Bellator 300 below.

Bellator 300 card and results

• Usman Nurmagomedov (c) def. Brent Primus via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
• Cris Cyborg (c) def. Cat Zingano via first-round TKO (punches)
• Liz Carmouche (c) def. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane via fifth-round TKO (leg kick)

[Oct 8, 2023 at 12:06 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Official result: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Brent Primus via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) to retain the Bellator lightweight championship and advance to the finals of the $1 million Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix.

[Oct 8, 2023 at 12:04 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus -- Round 5: Nurmagomedov targeted Primus' lead leg with stomps and kicks. A nice one-two by the champ. Primus pressured forward but found himself turned around and pressed to the fence. Primus fired a defiant knee up the middle. There was some separation and Nurmagomedov fired a tidy combo. Primus landed a nifty right hand as Nurmagomedov leaned in that direction. A pair of inside leg kicks by Nurmagomedov. The challenger moved in and failed to defend a single-leg takedown. Nurmagomedov re-entered the guard. Nurmagomedov peppered Primus with shots to close out the fight. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (50-44 Nurmagomedov overall)

[Oct 7, 2023 at 11:58 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus -- Round 4: Nurmagomedov opened with a left question mark kick that landed. Primus found the home for a jab. Another jab for Primus. Nurmagomedov dodged a right cross and landed one of his own. Nurmagomedov pressured Primus to the fence and started chaining takedowns. Primus grabbed the fence, possibly saving himself from hitting the canvas. Referee Jason Herzog wisely paused the action due to the illegal fence grab. Nurmagomedov was awarded an advantageous position by the fence and scored the same takedown shortly after. Nurmagomedov settled into top control in the guard. Nurmagomedov cut Primus open before focusing on body blows. Nurmagomedov split open Primus' guard and fired tight elbows to the face. There's probably an argument for a 10-8 between the cut and Primus landing basically nothing. Unofficial scorecard: 10-8 Nurmagomedov (40-35 Nurmagomedov overall)

[Oct 7, 2023 at 11:51 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus -- Round 3: Nurmagomedov's coach Javier Mendez applauded him for controlling the range and told his fighter to do whatever he wanted to. Primus tried to press Nurmagomedov to the fence but the champion easily circled out. At only 25 years old, Nurmagomedov has tremendous situational awareness. He continued to land on Primus, move out of range, change directions and circle to avoid being pushed to the fence. Nurmagomedov with a nice body kick as Primus entered range. Nurmagomedov cracked Primus with a loud cross but the challenger ate it well. Primus blitzed forward but Nurmagomedov shucked him off. Primus landed arguably his best punch of the fight in the final seconds but it had no effect on Nurmagomedov. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (30-27 Nurmagomedov overall)

[Oct 7, 2023 at 11:46 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus -- Round 2: Nurmagomedov continued to be the more skillful operator. The champion peppered his overmatched opposition with strikes to the head, body and legs. Nurmagomedov had a significant lead on strikes by the midpoint of the round while landing nearly three-quarters of all strikes thrown. Nurmagomedov landed a nifty hook kick to Primus' ear, followed by a straight right. Primus shot for a desperate takedown but Nurmagomedov stifled it with ease. Primus threw a spinning wheel kick in slow motion and Nurmagomedov effortlessly leaned out of range. Nurmagomedov continued to flex on Primus. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (20-18 Nurmagomedov overall)

[Oct 7, 2023 at 11:38 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus -- Round 1: The fight started as expected with Primus the bull and Nurmagomedov the matador. Nurmagomedov did well to change his directions to avoid being cornered by Primus. Both fighters exchanged leg kicks during the first few minutes of the round. Nurmagomedov landing the better shots. Nurmagomedov backed the challenger to the fence and uncorked a hard elbow. A takedown by Nurmagomedov in the final minute. Nurmagomedov rode out the round in top half guard. An easy round for the champion who outstruck his opponent roughly four-to-one. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nurmagomedov

[Oct 7, 2023 at 11:29 pm ET · Brandon Wise]

We are on to the main event! Usman Nurmagomedov puts his lightweight title on the line against former titleholder Brent Primus. The winner also advances to the finals of the Bellator World Lightweight Grand Prix. Nurmagomedov is undefeated and arguably one of the top fighters in the division regardless of promotion. Primus is looking to capitalize on his late-notice entry and possibly win the $1 million prize in the tournament. It's next!

[Oct 7, 2023 at 11:11 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Cris Cyborg def. Cat Zingano via first-round TKO (punches) to retain the Bellator women's featherweight championship. Cyborg blocked a head kick and immediately zapped Zingano with a right hand early in the round. Zingano landed a punch and shot the takedown but Cyborg rolled her over and stood up. Another hard punch landed for the champion. Cyborg dug into the ribs with a kick. Zingano shot for an ankle pick and was met with hard ground and pound. It looked like a finish was incoming but Zingano endured. Cyborg exhibited her strength by shucking the challenger around. Zingano ate a pair of right hands that clearly bothered Zingano. A right hand dropped Zingano to her knee. Zingano with another takedown attempt but ended up on the bottom. Cyborg with more hammer fists and Zingano just covered up. The referee intervened shortly after.