Bellator 288: Usman Nurmagomedov is committed on creating history by winning the lightweight world title

Usman Nurmagomedov, who will face lightweight champion Patricky Freire on Friday, says he is committed on creating history at Bellator 288.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov's cousin Nurmagomedov, 24, is unbeaten in 15 professional fights.

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The Russian hopes to be the first combatant from Dagestan to capture a Bellator world championship.

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The Russian hopes to be the first combatant from Dagestan to capture a Bellator world championship.

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Usman Nurmagomedov said that on Wednesday,"My name will be written in the history books forever,"

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"There was a time nobody would sign fighters from the Caucasus. Nobody knew where Dagestan is, where this part of Russia is located."

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"I want to be the first Bellator champion from Dagestan. Nobody will take this away from me.”

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Since defeating Peter Queally to win it in November of last year, Freire is making his first championship defence appearance in Chicago.

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The Brazilian is viewed as an underdog versus Nurmagomedov despite being the champion and having a significant experience advantage.

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Freire, 36, who has a career record of 24 victories and 10 losses, claims he is accustomed to being dismissed.

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"I was the underdog. I don't care about this. It is motivating. I want to prove these people wrong. It motivates me a lot."

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