In recent years, all supporters of mixed martial arts could testify to the dominance of Muslim fighters in this fast-growing sport. It is because the pillars of their religion fit perfectly with the formulas for success in combat sports. They are marked by their mental strength, incredible physical fitness, and fighting style that consists of complete dominance over the opponent.
Although dangerous and deadly in the cage, their qualities outside the battlefield are humility, kindness, respect, and loyalty, and they are definitely one of the best people you will meet. The infestation and success of dangerous Muslim fighters can best be seen in the prestigious world organization, the UFC.
Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0-0)
Khabib Abdulmanapovich Nurmagomedov is one of the leading faces of UFC and certainly one of the most important ambassadors of Muslim fighters in martial arts. “The Eagle” was born in 1988 in the Dagestani village of Sildi, Russia.
Like all Dagestanis, he started wrestling at a young age, and his first coach was his father, the legendary Abdulmanap. Khabib fought his first professional fight in 2008. In the next three years, he registered 12 victories with as many as 11 finishes.
His exceptionally successful winning streak caught the attention of the UFC, for which he signed a contract and debuted in 2012. Nurmagomedov’s journey has been epic, and he managed to record 29 wins from 29 fights and is a former UFC lightweight champion.
Of the victories worth mentioning are those against McGregor, Poirer, Gaethje, and Al Iaquinta. Khabib retired undefeated after a 12-year career. He will be remembered for his dominant wrestling style, incredible control of opponents, and relentlessness. Undoubtedly, he is one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, and on June 30, 2022, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Islam Makachev (24-1-0)
Islam Ramazanovich Makachev was born in 1991 in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia. At a very young age, he began training in combat sambo with Khabib and his father. In 2016, he won the world championship in Sambo and made his MMA debut in 2010 at Tsumada FC 4. He fought in the organizations ProFC, Siberian Fighting Championship, and Lion’s Fights, where he excelled. After five straight wins under the
M-1 organization Islam got the opportunity of a lifetime in the UFC. He won his UFC debut with Rear Naked Choke but lost the next fight by an unfortunate knockout. After the defeat, Makachev returned as a much better fighter and achieved 12 consecutive victories.
In 2022, he defeated unpredictable submission artist Charles Oliveira by submission in the second round for the vacant lightweight title. Among the memorable wins, it is significant to mention names such as Gleison Tibau, Dan Hooker, Bobby Green, Drew Dober, Arman Tsarukyan, and the five-round war against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, which was, until then, the biggest test and the toughest fight for the Dagestan fighter. Makachev is the current and active champion who, judging by his success so far, has a great career ahead of him and a team of the right people around him.
Khamzat Chimaev (12-0-0)
Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev is known to everyone as the current superstar, a dominant and fearless figure of the UFC. “The Borz” comes from Sweden’s All-Star Gym. He is of Chechen origin and was born in 1994 in Gvardeyskoye.
He has a wrestling background and is considered one of Sweden’s best freestyle wrestlers. He started MMA at 23 and made his professional debut in 2018 for the IRFA organization when he defeated Gard Sagen by ground and pound in the second round.
After four victories in the BRAVE FC organization, Chimaev comes to the UFC, where he continues to write history with six consecutive victories. Khamzat proves that he is a master of submissions but also knockouts and that he can finish the fight in a short time.
He is known for his style, where at the beginning of the fight, he fearlessly goes for takedowns and overcomes his opponents with his strength and technique. He fought many battles against more experienced opponents, and Khamzat is undefeated with 12 wins.
The important victories are the three-round war against Gilbert Burns, a quick knockout against Gerald Meerschaert, and swift submissions at the very beginning of the fight against Holland, Lee, and Phillips.
Kamaru Usman (20-3-0)
Kamarudeen Usman was born in 1987 in Auchi, Edo State of Nigeria. He grew up in a modest family and moved to Texas with his parents when he was eight. Usman started his martial arts journey with a successful wrestling career in high school.
“The Nigerian Nightmare,” with his wrestling background, turned to MMA, where he performed for the RFA, CFA, VFC, and Legacy FC organizations. There Kamaru achieved five wins and one loss. In 2015, Kamaru got a chance for the UFC when he entered the 21st Ultimate Fighter, which season he won after three victories.
After nine dominant victories in the prestigious world organization, Kamaru faced the vicious champion Tyron Woodley for the title, whom he outclassed in all segments of the fight. Usman reigned as the dominant welterweight champion, defending his title twice against Jorge Masvidal, twice against Colby Covington, and once against Gilbert Burns.
Although he lost the title to Leon Edwards in 2022, after a dominant five-round fight with an unfortunate head kick in the last minute. In 2023 he lost to the same fighter in a close decision; Usman will be cemented as one of the most dominant champions and welterweight greats of all time.
Magomed Ankalaev (18-1-1)
Magomed Alibulatovich Ankalaev was born in 1992 in the well-known Makhachkala, Dagestan, and competes in the light-heavyweight category. He started his training in Dagestan in Greco-Roman style wrestling and combat sambo.
In addition to his professional career, Magomed had a successful amateur career, which he decorated with multiple gold medals at Russian and World MMA competitions. Ankalaev’s path to UFC was paved with victories in numerous organizations such as Oplot Challenge, Akhmat Fight Show, and WFCA, where he became Light Heavyweight Champion.
Although he started his UFC career in 2018 with a submission loss to Paul Craig, he corrected his mistakes. He won nine consecutive victories against first-class light heavyweight fighters. Ankalaev chose to take the more resistant route to the title and fought Nikita Krylov, Ion Cutelaba, Thiago Santos, Volkan Oezdemir, and Anthony Smith.
At the end of 2022, the light-heavyweight title almost got conquered when, after a tense fight with Jan Blachowicz, the judges made a controversial decision and declared the fight a draw. Although, the winner of the title should have been Ankalaev. Magomed is still a young, active, and promising fighter who will surely come back even better after this disappointment.
Rafael Fiziev (12-2-0)
Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev was born in 1993 in Korday, Kazakhstan, and fights in the lightweight category. At 11, he became a victim of peer violence, so he started practicing Muay Thai. At the same time, he started taking classes in combat sambo, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling and then completely switched to MMA.
Due to religious discrimination, he decided not to represent Kyrgyzstan, so he decided to represent Azerbaijan as his father’s country. He currently lives in Thailand, where he is a trainer at the famous Muay Thai Tiger Gym. Rafael has an enviable amateur and professional muay thai score, which makes him very experienced and high-quality in the stand-up game.
He made his MMA debut in 2015 for W.I.N. Fighting Championships and also fought in Road FC, Boroda FC, and Titan FC. In 2019, Fiziev made his UFC debut, which he lost. Still, in the next three years, he managed to record six victories against tough fighters until his defeat in 2023 against power puncher Justin Gaethje.
Rafael has defeated many elite lightweight fighters, including Marc Diakiese, Renato Moicano, Bobby Green, and Rafael Dos Anjos. Rafel is still blooming young and active and has time to reach the title.
Movsar Evloev (17-0-0)
Movsar Evloev was born in 1994 in Ordzhonikidzevskaya, Ingushetia, Russia. He is of Chechen origin and competes in the featherweight division in the UFC. In addition to his perfect record with 17 wins in 17 matches, Movsar has degrees in law and computer programming and is a USSR Master of Sport for Greco-Roman style wrestling.
The Russian fighter made his professional debut in 2014 for the M-1 organization, in which he became the bantamweight champion after seven consecutive victories. He is a complete fighter who defended his title two times and finished his opponents with knockouts, submissions, and dominations until the judge’s decision.
Because of this, he managed to catch the attention of the UFC, and after ten flawless performances, he made his debut in 2019. He is one of the fighters who spent his career defeating much more experienced opponents.
He recently climbed into the top 10 in the featherweight category rankings. Movsar is coming off a quality win against Dan Ige in 2022 and his last win against Diego Lopes, for which they won the Fight Of the Night award.
Muhammad Belal (23-3-0)
Belal “Remember the Name” Muhammad was born in 1988 in Chicago, Illinois, and is originally from Palestine, which explains his entrance into the Octagon with the Palestinian flag, of which he is a great speaker and supporter.
He started his martial arts career wrestling in high school. Muhammad competes in the welterweight category, and Belal made his professional debut in 2012 after winning two amateur matches. He fought in organizations such as HFC, Bellator, and Titan FC, where he became the welterweight champion in his ninth professional fight.
In 2016, Muhammad made his UFC debut, in which he suffered his first loss, a decision against Alan Jouban. He has 17 matches in the UFC with a score of 14 wins and three losses, and he could soon get a chance for the title. His last loss came in 2019 against Geoff Neal, after which he survived to tie a nine-fight winning streak.
Belal is a character who never chose his opponents and has fought against welterweight greats such as Stephen Thompson, Demian Maia, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns. Belal currently trains in AKA, where he is surrounded by the right team and is progressing quickly.
Muhammed Mokaev (10-0-0)
Muhammad “The Punisher” Mokaev was born in 2000 in Buynaksk, Dagestan, Russia. He is currently fighting from England, where he moved away with his father at the age of twelve after the death of his mother.
Mokaev is a decorated English wrestler and a double ADCC UK winner. Muhammad is one of the youngest Muslim fighters, characterized by his activity, fearlessness, and dangerous wrestling, and he sharpens his stand-up at camps at the Muay Thai Gym.
He started his professional career in 2015, after 23 victories in 23 amateur matches in IMMAF, where he became champion of the bantam and flyweight divisions. Before the UFC, Muhammad fought for the Celtic Gladiator organization, BRAVE FC. He made his UFC debut in 2022, winning the Fight of the Night award.
He has already broken into the top 15 flyweight list, where he is ranked number 12. The Punisher is undefeated in eight years of MMA competition, and Mokaev is a guy who promises success. The Punisher’s smile during fights says a lot about how much he enjoys fighting.
Ottman Azaitar (13-1-0)
Ottman “The Bulldozer” Azaitar is a fighter of Moroccan origin, born in 1990 in Cologne, Germany. He started his career with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when he was six and later switched to muay thai and boxing. Ottman was a representative of the German national team in Muay Thai and participated in the world championship in 2012, and won several important competitions in striking sports.
He made his professional debut in 2014 in the SFC organization. He continued his winning streak in Fair FC, GMC, and Brave. What is specific about Azaitar is how he transferred his stand-up game from the ring to the octagon. Of 13 matches, ten ended with knockouts in the first round and two by submission.
He made his UFC debut in 2019, after which he collected two knockout victories, after which he received Performance of the Night twice, but lost by knockout in 2022. Given that he arrived in the UFC four years ago, he can be expected to stay there in the coming years and manage to climb high in the rankings in the dangerous lightweight division.
Nasrat Haqparast (14-5-0)
Nasrat Haqparast was born in 1995 in Hamburg, Germany. His parents are refugees from Afghanistan. He started practicing martial arts because he was overweight and enrolled in kickboxing. After seeing the first MMA sparring, Nasrat knew that was what he wanted to do in his life.
He made his professional debut in 2012 but was defeated in that match. In the continuation of his career, he evolved into a dangerous knockout artist when he extinguished opponents in the first rounds in various organizations such as SFC, AFC, WLMMA, Ravage, and Superior FC.
Nasrat made his UFC debut in 2017, where he, unfortunately, lost by decision. His journey to the UFC was a challenging one. Despite the three defeats against quality lightweight fighters such as Drew Dobber, Bobby Green, and Dan Hooker, Haqparast showed everyone his heart and love for the sport.
Nasrat trains in the famous All-Star Gym under the guidance of legendary Firas Zahabi, and considering his hard work and will, he has a bright career ahead of him.
Umar Nurmagomedov (16-0-0)
Umar Nurmagomedov was born in 1996 in Kizilyurt, Dagestan, Russia. He started freestyle wrestling with his older brother Usman, and shortly after, both started practicing Muay Thai. After moving to Makhachkala, they began training with their uncle Abdulmanap at the Eagles Mma camp.
Umar showed his talent and hard work from an early age when, at 19, he became the world champion in combat sambo under the WCSF organization, to become the WMMAA World Champion the following year. He made his professional debut in 2016 for the EFN organization, where he won by submission.
Umar continued his 12-fight winning streak in various organizations such as Fight Star, EFN, FNG, PFL, GFC, Samara MMA Federation, Battle on the Volga and. With enviable success, he justifies his team and origin, and in 2021 he fights for the UFC flyweight division and celebrates with a victory by submission.
In his last fight, he won the Performance of The Night award twice against Sergey Morozov and Raoni Barcelos. Out of his 16 matches, seven opponents ended by submission, seven by decision, and two by knockout.
Zabit Magomedsharipov (18-1-0)
Zabit Akhmedovich Magomedsharipov was born in 1991 in Khasavyurt, Dagestan. Traditionally, he started wrestling at the age of 10. Still, after that, he did something different from all his compatriots; he started practicing Sanda and won the Wushu European Championship in 2012.
In 2012, he also won his MMA debut with a knockout in the first round at the Odessa Golden Cup. He got his first and only professional defeat in the fifth fight at ProFC, after which he had an incredible 8-fight-win streak in the ACB organization, which catapulted him straight to the UFC.
He won his UFC debut in 2017 by submission, and in subsequent fights, he excels against featherweight fighters, where his style comes to the fore. His acrobatic and attractive fighting style sets him apart from other Dagestani fighters.
Zabit earned a six-fight-winning streak in the UFC with important victories against Bochniak, Stephens, and Kattar. Just when the opportunity for the title was on the horizon, Zabit retired in 2022, citing the preservation of his general health as the reason.
Askar Askarov (14-1-0)
Askar “Bullet” Saipulaevich Askarov was born in 1992 in Kamysh-Kutan, Akhvakhsky District, Republic of Dagestan. Askarov, as a representative of the Russian wrestling team, won the gold medal at the Deafyolympics 2017. He was born 80% deaf, meaning his hearing works only 20%.
He made his professional debut in 2012 for the Kavkaz League, where he celebrated with a submission in the second round. Askar carries his winning streak through the GEFC, Khasavyurt Fight – Dagestan MMA Open Cup organization and excels with a seven-fight win streak in the ACB organization.
After that, he went to the UFC in 2019, where he faced tough competition at flyweight at the very start. Askar is the fighter who, out of 14 matches, ended seven by submission, four knockouts, and three decisions.
He made his debut UFC match with a draw against current champion Brandon Moreno, after which he scored three victories against Tim Elliot, Alexandra Pantoja, and Joseph Benavidez. He experienced his first defeat in March 2022 against Kai Kara-France by the referee’s decision. At the end of 2022, Askar announced on his Instagram profile that he requested a release from the UFC due to concerns about his health.
Alex Pereira (7-2-0)
Alexsandro “Poatan” Pereira was born in 1987 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He started martial arts to fight his alcohol addiction because he left school at twelve to work in a tire shop. Alex started his fighting career as a kickboxer. His record is 40 wins and seven losses.
He is best known for his lethal front hook and fierce rivalry with Israel Adesanya. He is a former Glory light-heavyweight and middleweight champion with 5 title defenses. Pereira made his professional MMA debut and lost by submission at Jungle Fight in 2015.
Still, after that, Alex returned to the winning path by knocking out and getting a UFC contract. Poatan won his UFC debut by knockout in 2021. After a decision victory against Bruno Silva, he won the title by knocking out Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya.
Although Alex lost his title in the rematch, he moved to the light-heavyweight category, where he will face a threatening test against former champion Jan Blachowicz. Pereira embraced Islam in 2015 at the beginning of his MMA journey.
Poatan has a dangerous stand-up game in his arsenal, hard work, and enviable mental strength, and he is a problem for anyone who stands against him in the Octagon.
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