Said Makhachevich Nurmagomedov (Russian: Саид Махачевич Нурмагомедов; born April 5, 1992) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2009, he formerly competed for Absolute Championship Berkut and World Fighting Championship Akhmat. He is a former AFC Bantamweight Champion.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Said Nurmagomedov made his professional MMA debut in 2009 at World Ultimate Full Contact 15, facing the undefeated 4–0 Oscar Nave. He won the bout in the first round by way of an armbar.[5] After a three-year break, he returned in 2012 at Vale Tudo 3 to fight the debuting Jolon Uulu Jayloobay. Nurmagomedov won the fight in the first round by way of an armbar.[6] Nurmagomedov returned in 2013 to welcome another debutante, Akhmed Sarapov, at Liga Kavkaz - Battle in Khiv 1. Nurmagomedov scored the first KO win of his career, ending the fight in the dying seconds of the first round.[7]
In 2014 Nurmagomedov signed with Absolute Championship Berkut, with his first fight being against the experienced Asulan Toktarbaev, at ACB 1 bantamweight Grand Prix. Nurmagomedov won a unanimous decision.[8] In the next round of the bantamweight Grand Prix, at ACB 4 he faced Magomed-Emin Khazhgeriev, again winning by a unanimous decision.[9] In the penultimate bout of the Grand Prix, at ACB 7, he fought against the undefeated German Barsegyan. He won by TKO, after the doctor stopped the fight in the first round.[10] In the final of the Grand Prix, Nurmagomedov faced the undefeated Magomed Bibulatov, losing the final by a unanimous decision.[11]
He would then move to World Fighting Championship Akhmat two years later, with his first fight being against the veteran Diego Marlon, winning a unanimous decision.[12] At WFCA 22 he would face Walter Pereira Jr, winning a unanimous decision.[13] He fought against Abdul-Rakhman Dudaev during WFA 30 for the vacant AFC Bantamweight Championship. Nurmagomedov won a unanimous decision to become the AFC bantamweight champion.[14] During WFCA 35 he fought Anderson dos Santos. Following several jumping knees in the clinch, Said ended the fight by submission in the first round.[15] In his final fight with World Fighting Championship Akhmat he won a unanimous decision against Luis Nogueira at WFC 42.[16]
Nurmagomedov faced promotional newcomer Mark Striegl, whose debut was delayed after testing positive for COVID-19,[21] on October 18, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 180.[22] He won the fight via knockout in round one.[23]
Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Jack Shore at UFC Fight Night 191[24] However, Nurmagomedov was pulled from the event due to visa issues, and was replaced by Zviad Lazishvili.[25]
Nurmagomedov faced Saidyokub Kakhramonov on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216.[31] He won the fight via submission in round two.[32]
Nurmagomedov faced Jonathan Martinez on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[33] 13 out of 17 media outlets scored the bout as a victory for Nurmagomedov.[34]
Nurmagomedov faced Muin Gafurov on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294.[37] He won the bout by guillotine choke submission in the first round.[38] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[39]
Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Montel Jackson on June 22, 2024, at UFC on ABC 6.[40] However, Nurmagomedov withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons and was replaced by Farid Basharat.[41]
Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Daniel Santos on October 26, 2024, at UFC 308.[42] However, one week before the event, Santos withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and the bout was subsequently cancelled.[43][44]
Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Daniel Marcos on December 14, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 63.[45] However, Nurmagomedov withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Adrian Yañez.[46]
Nurmagomedov is scheduled to face Vinicius Oliveira on February 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 250.[47]
