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- What: Bellator 300 Main Event
- Who: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus
- Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023
- Location: Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA
- Time: Prelims: 6:30 p.m. ET, Main Card: 10:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: Prelims (YouTube), Main Card (Showtime)
Bellator presents a loaded card for its 300th event. Bellator 300 takes place on Saturday, October 7, from Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA. The four-fight Showtime main card features four title fights. The opener sees women’s flyweight champion Liz Carmouche defending her title against former champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. Following that, heavyweight titleholder Ryan Bader faces No. 1 ranked promotional contender Linton Vassell. In the co-main event, women’s featherweight queen Cris Cyborg meets No. 1 ranked Cat Zingano, and in the main event, lightweight kingpin Usman Nurmagomedov faces ex-155-pound champ Brent Primus. Here is some information on Nurmagomedov vs. Primus before we discuss the betting breakdown for the Bellator 300 fight card.
Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0) is the undefeated cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. The 25-year-old won his title in November by beating Patricky Pitbull. He defended his crown in March with a submission of former UFC champ Benson Henderson.
Brent Primus (12-3) earned the Bellator lightweight title in 2017 with a TKO over Michael Chandler. He lost a decision to Chandler in their 2018 rematch. Since then, Primus is 4-2 and coming off a March decision win over Mansour Barnaoui. The 38-year-old is ranked No. 4 in the division.
Before we look at the best bets for Nurmagomedov vs. Primus at Bellator 300, check out the best UFC betting sites and our picks for the upcoming UFC 294 main event, Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2.
Bellator 300 main event: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus betting picks
| To Win Bellator 300 Main Event |  |  |  |
| Brent Primus | +800 | +700 | +593 |
| Usman Nurmagomedov | -1400 | -1400 | -1666 |
Bellator 300 main event: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus betting prediction
Hailing from Dagestan, one would assume that current Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov has strong grappling skills. That assumption is correct. However, unlike some of the older fighters from that region, wrestling and ground control are not the only area of MMA where the young star excels. Nurmagomedov is a very good striker who employs a litany of different striking techniques. He is especially well versed in kicking techniques, mixing up his attacks and targets well from distance. If things get close on the feet, Nurmagomedov is a strong counterstriker and can be dangerous with his knees in the clinch. Of course, Nurmagomedov’s bread-and-butter is on the mat, where he takes advantage of whatever opportunities his opponent provides him. All told, Nurmagomedov is one of the most dangerous young fighters on the Bellator roster.
Brent Primus is part of Bellator’s old guard. The 38-year-old lightweight has been with the promotion since 2013 and has battled some of the division’s best competitors. However, Primus hasn’t scored a big time win since he defeated Benson Henderson, who was on a two-fight losing skid at the time, in 2021. The problem for Primus in this fight is that his strengths are also the strengths of his opponent, and the Primus of 2023 is not the Primus of 2017-18.
Bellator 300 main event: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus – who has the edge
Nurmagomedov and Primus are similar in style in that both fighters are best at the grappling game, but they are at different points in their careers, and that will make all the difference when they meet in the main event of Bellator 300. As the betting odds reflect, Nurmagomedov is heading toward the prime of his career, while Primus is on the downside of his MMA run.
No aspect of this fight favors Primus outside of his veteran status, but even that might not matter, considering the team Nurmagomedov has worked with in getting him to this point in his career.
Best Bets: Bellator 300 main event: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus
With the betting odds for the Nurmagomedov vs. Primus matchup so in favor of the champion, there is some betting value in picking Primus to secure the upset victory. However, any wager on Primus should be made knowing there is little reason to believe the underdog bet will cash. Nurmagomedov is an overwhelming betting favorite for a reason, he is better than Primus in every aspect of the fight game.
The betting pick is for Nurmagomedov to retain his Bellator lightweight title at Bellator 300. As for the outcome of the fight, there is value in picking Nurmagomedov to secure the win via submission in the latter half of the contest.
Best Bellator 300 Main Event Betting Pick: Usman Nurmagomedov to beat Brent Primus via submission
See below a list of reliable sportsbooks and choose the best one for you.
