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 7, 2023 at 10:51 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Up next is the co-main event. Reigning Bellator women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg, one of the greatest women's fighters in history, takes on a bitter rival in Cat Zingano.

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

Liz Carmouche def. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane via fifth-round TKO (leg kick) to retain the Bellator women's flyweight championship. Macfarlane lunged forward earlier in the round and Carmouche chopped her with a leg kick. Macfarlane immediately let out a scream, dropped to the mat and covered her face. Carmouche immediately rushed to her friend's side. That's the fight. Carmouche knew that Macfarlane had a history of knee injuries and started investing heavily in leg kicks from Round 3 onwards. Carmouche dropped Macfarlane in each of the final three rounds, including multiple times in Round 3 and Round 4.

[Oct 7, 2023 at 10:45 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Liz Carmouche vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane -- Round 4: Carmouche dropped Macfarlane with a leg kick within the first minute of the round. Another low kick downed Macfarlane as she shot for a takedown. Macfarlane started to preemptively lift her lead leg to avoid the full strength of that leg kick. Carmouche kicked the leg so hard that Macfarlane spun around. Carmouche wisely kicked out Macfarlane's back leg, causing her to fall since her lead leg was off the ground. Macfarlane continued to press forward with punches despite the pain in her leg. Macfarlane caught Carmouche with a solid punch in response to a naked leg kick by the champ. A pair of chopping kicks by Carmouche. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Carmouche (39-37 overall)

[Oct 7, 2023 at 10:39 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Liz Carmouche vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane -- Round 3: Macfarlane really pushed the pace at the start of Round 3, landing a nice punch by the fence. A leg kick dropped Macfarlane. Carmouche allowed Macfarlane back to her feet and Macfarlane was immediately limping. Macfarlane has suffered from knee issues in the past and Carmouche was well aware of it. Carmouche continued to drill Macfarlane's lead leg, causing Macfarlane to repeatedly fall over. Macfarlane was not deterred, landing some nice overhand rights while pursuing trips. Macfarlane appeared to move more comfortably on her leg later in the round but was very cautious to avoid further leg kicks. Another leg kick by Carmouche. Macfarlane absorbed a leg kick in the final minute of the round that again unsteadied her. Macfarlane shot for a takedown in the final seconds as Carmouche hunted a loose guillotine choke. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Carmouche (29-28 overall)

[Oct 7, 2023 at 10:33 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Liz Carmouche vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane -- Round 2: The referee urged both fighters to fight with more activity. It seemed as if they took that advice to heart by kicking off the second round with a brief brawl. Still, it only took them about 30 seconds to settle into a rhythm similar to the first frame. Carmouche started to pressure forward more but was forced back by Mafarlane's lunging, winging single punches. Carmouche better-utilized leg kicks in the second round, focusing primarily on her opponent's lead leg. A brief clinch led to some dirty boxing with both fighters landing but Carmouche arguably scoring harder punches. The champ started winging overhand rights in the final 30 seconds but they all missed the mark. A leg kick by Macfarlane to cap off the round. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Carmouche (19-19 overall)

[Oct 7, 2023 at 10:27 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Liz Carmouche vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane -- Round 1: It was a rather uninspiring first round with both friends bouncing around the canvas. Carmouche would catch Macfarlane with a counter right hook every time the former champion lunged in for a naked clinch. Macfarlane managed to connect with lunging punches but never threw more than one at a time. That was a lackluster round with neither fighter landing much. At a glance, it appeared like Macfarlane possibly landed more punches so we'll side with her in a round that could easily go to either fighter. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Macfarlane

[Oct 7, 2023 at 10:03 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

The Bellator 300 main card is live! Each of the three fights on the main card features a reigning world champion. The opening bout is an intriguing one. Defending women's flyweight champion Liz Carmouche and former champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane are best friends and longtime training partners. Carmouche switched gyms two years ago in preparation for an eventual showdown with Macfarlane. Unfortunately, Macfarlane missed weight earlier this week. If Macfarlane wins the fight, the Bellator women's flyweight title will be vacated.

[Oct 7, 2023 at 9:20 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Welcome to CBS Sports' live coverage of Bellator 300. Tonight's milestone card will be celebrated with three title fights: lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus, women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg vs. Cat Zingano and women's flyweight champ Liz Carmouche vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane.