Abubakar Nurmagomedov

Abubakar Magomedovich Nurmagomedov (born November 13, 1989) is a Russian mixed martial artist, who was formerly competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

He has also previously competed for the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

He is a three-time Combat Sambo World Championship bronze medalist and Russian national combat sambo champion.

Abubakar Nurmagomedov was born on November 13, 1989, in the village of Goksuv in Khasavyurtovsky District, Dagestan.

At primary school Abubakar began to train in freestyle wrestling, and after high school he switched to Combat Sambo under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov made his professional MMA debut in October 2011 against Ibrahim Dzhantukhanov of Russia, and won in the first round by Submission (armbar).

At the Sochi Star tournament he lost to Magomed Mustafaev by technical knockout in the first round.

Abubakar came in third place in various world combat sambo tournaments, against multiple world champions like Yaroslav Amosov and Pavel Kusch, and Eldar Eldarov in the tournaments he competed in.

In March Nurmagomedov signed a contract with WSOF.

In 2014 he won the bronze medal match at the Combat Sambo World Championships.

In his WSOF debut, Nurmagomedov defeated Jorge Moreno of USA on August 1, 2015, at WSOF 22 via unanimous decision.

After his debut he beat next opponent from Las Vegas, Nevada Danny Davis Jr. on December 18, 2015, at WSOF 26 via unanimous decision.

Nurmagomedov faced Matthew Frincu on April 2, 2016, at WSOF 30.

He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Nurmagomedov faced John Howard on October 7, 2016, at WSOF 33.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nurmagomedov faced Matt Secor on 18 March 2017 at WSOF 35.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nurmagomedov competed at PFL welterweight Grand-Prix.

He faced Pavel Kusch in the opening round at PFL 3 on July 5, 2018.

He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Nurmagomedov faced Jonatan Westin on August 16, 2018, at PFL 6.

He won the fight by unanimous decision.

On October 15, 2018, it was announced that Nurmagomedov would replace João Zeferino in the Welterweight Tournament at PFL 10 on October 20, 2018.

He faced Bojan Veličković in the quarter-final round.

The bout ended in a unanimous draw with Nurmagomedov advancing due to winning the first round.

However, Nurmagomedov did not advance to semifinals due to hand injury and Veličković replaced him.

Nurmagomedov made his promotional debut on November 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 163 against David Zawada.

He lost the fight via submission in round one.

Nurmagomedov faced Jared Gooden on March 27, 2021, at UFC 260.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Daniel Rodriguez on July 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 26.

However, Nurmagomedov was forced to withdraw from the event, citing injury.

Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Philip Rowe on July 16, 2022, at UFC on ABC: Ortega vs. Rodríguez.

However, the pairing was cancelled due to complications on both sides.

Rowe has been forced to withdraw due to an injury, while Nurmagomedov is dealing with visa issues.

Nurmagomedov faced Gadzhi Omargadzhiev on October 22, 2022, at UFC 280.

He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Carlston Harris on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221.

However, Nurmagomedov withdrew from the bout due to an undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jared Gooden.