Bellator 288 results, highlights: Vadim Nemkov outpoints Corey Anderson; Usman Nurmagomedov earns gold

Vadim Nemkov (c) vs. Corey Anderson -- Round 4: Nemkov landed a few leg kicks and then stuffed an Anderson takedown before landing an uppercut. Anderson pressed forward with a big rush and landed a punch before grabbing a body lock. Nemkov was able to break the lock and get right back to range. Nemkov landed a hard calf kick that seemed to hurt Anderson. Nemkov cracked with another jab and then another big kick to the calf. Nemkov blocked another takedown and landed a spinning kick to the body before the bell. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nemkov (40-36)

Vadim Nemkov (c) vs. Corey Anderson -- Round 3: Nemkov again fought off a takedown attempt early in the round. Nemkov worked the leg kick and jab, keeping Anderson on the reactive side of the action but Nemkov did suffer a cut over his right eye. Anderson got in deep on a shot but Nemkov fought off the takedown attempt and got back to distance. Anderson also suffered a cut in the round. Anderson connected with a right hand but Nemkov circled and went back to the jab. Anderson started landing a few counter punches as Nemkov slowed his output a bit. Anderson missed with a few punches before Nemkov landed a good right hand. Nemkov landed another late right hand before the round ended. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nemkov (30-27)

Vadim Nemkov (c) vs. Corey Anderson -- Round 2: Anderson tried to pressure but ate another big right hand from Nemkov. Again, the right hand was there for Nemkov before Anderson grabbed a clinch. Nemkov pushed him off and landed a right hand. Again, Anderson tried for the takedown and Nemkov did well to keep Anderson from pushing him into the cage or fully locking in a clinch. Anderson missed with a big left hand but Nemkov missed with a spinning backfist. Anderson landed a kick to Nemkov's cup, leading to a break but Nemkov was ready to go right back to work. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nemkov (20-18 Nemkov)

Vadim Nemkov (c) vs. Corey Anderson -- Round 1: Nemkov landed a solid leg kick early in the opening round. Nemkov then started to ride hard on the jab, trying to bring the right hand behind it. Anderson reached for a takedown attempt and Nemkov defended before landing a backfist. Nemkov landed a good right hand again, finding good space for that powerful shot. Anderson drove forward and scored a takedown but Nemkov was able to pop right back up. Anderson again looked to see if a takedown was available and ate a right hand for it. Another clash of heads in the round but nobody appeared cut. Nemkov again landed a right after Anderson missed on a takedown. Interesting round but Nemkov landed a big spinning kick to the head at the round and likely locked it up. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nemkov

Next up? It's main event time. Corey Anderson takes his second shot at light heavyweight champ Vadim Nemkov in the finals of the light heavyweight world grand prix.

Official result: Usman Nurmagomedov def. Patricky Pitbull (c) via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-44) to win the Bellator lightweight championship.

Patricky Pitbull (c) vs. Usman Nurmagomedov -- Round 5: Pitbull tried to step on the gas to open the round, pushing forward and letting his hands go, knowing he is almost certainly going to lose on the scorecards. Nurmagomedov ducked under and scored the takedown, ending up in Pitbull's guard. Nurmagomedov drew blood with a big elbow on the temple. Pitbull tried to escape to his feet but Nurmagomedov took him right back down and quickly advanced to mount. Pitbull managed to reverse but Nurmagomedov kicked him off and got right back to standing. Pitbull chased but time ran out on him and Nurmagomedov should take an easy decision to become the new champion.

Patricky Pitbull (c) vs. Usman Nurmagomedov -- Round 3: A fairly uneventful round that saw Nurmagomedov continue to land kicks from a variety of angles while Pitbull chased, not doing anything meaningful offensively. Nurmagomedov goes to the "championship rounds" for the first time but Pitbull has not done anything to sap the challenger's energy and make him struggle coming into the fourth round.

Patricky Pitbull (c) vs. Usman Nurmagomedov -- Round 2: more kicks from Nurmagomedov early in the round as Pitbull continued trying to figure out a way to get inside and do some damage. Nurmagomedov threw a left hand before scoring with a takedown, putting Pitbull on his back. Nurmagomedov used the top position to land a series of hard punches and elbows before the end of the round. Dominant stuff for Nurmagomedov.