Damir Ismagulov

Damir Amangeldyevich Ismagulov (Дамир Амангельдыевич Исмагулов; born February 3, 1991) is a Russian-Kazakhstani mixed martial artist, who competes in the Lightweight division.

He has previously competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and was the former M-1 Global lightweight champion.

As a child, he played football, was fond of horseback riding, tried himself in track and field athletics.

Subsequently, he moved to Orenburg for permanent residence, enrolling in the Institute of Physical Culture and Sports of the Orenburg State Pedagogical University.

As a student, he was engaged in various types of martial arts, fulfilled the standards of a master of sports in universal combat and in army hand-to-hand combat.

Since 2011, he practised MMA at the amateur level.

In 2014, after winning the Russian Cup, he was awarded the title of Master of Sports in mixed martial arts.

Ismagulov is a practising Muslim and is ethnic Kazakh.

Ismagulov was M-1 Global lightweight champion after beating Maxim Divnich in the title bout.

After defending the M-1 Lightweight Championship twice, defeating such fighters as Raul Tutarauli and Artem Damkovsky, he signed a contract with the UFC.

Ismagulov made promotional debut on December 2, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa against Alex Gorgees.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ismagulov faced Joel Álvarez on February 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ismagulov faced Thiago Moisés on August 31, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 15.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ismagulov faced Rafael Alves on May 22, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt.

He won the bout by unanimous decision.

Ismagulov was expected to face Magomed Mustafaev on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267.

However at the weigh-ins, Ismagulov came in at 163.5 pounds, missing weight by 7.5 pounds, the bout was subsequently cancelled by the UFC.

Ismagulov faced Guram Kutateladze on June 18, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 37.

He won the close bout via split decision.

Ismagulov faced Arman Tsarukyan on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

On January 1, 2023, Ismagulov announced his retirement on Instagram, citing 'circumstances and health problems'.

On January 29, Damir revealed that according to his contract with the UFC, he had one more fight left, so he decided to fight as agreed.

Ismagulov faced Grant Dawson on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48.

He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On July 20, 2023, it was announced that Ismagulov had completed his contract and was not renewed.