Damir Amangeldyevich Ismagulov (; born February 3, 1991) is a Russian and Kazakh

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

, who competes in the

Lightweight Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing (sport), rowing. Boxing Professional boxing The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) boxing weight classes, weight class in the spor ...

division. He has previously competed for the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

and was the former

M-1 Global M-1 Global (Mixfight-1) or MMA-1 (Mixed martial arts-1) is a mixed martial arts promotion based in St. Petersburg, Russia which organizes between 10 and 20 competitions per year. It hosted its first major show (rather than co-promoting with oth ...

lightweight champion.

Background

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 Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...

and is ethnic Kazakh.

Mixed martial arts career

M-1 Global

Ismagulov was

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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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 Joel Álvarez González (born March 2, 1993) is a Spanish professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of April 15, 2025, he is #15 in the UFC lightweight ra ...

on February 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Ismagulov faced

Thiago Moisés Thiago Moisés (born 23 March 1995) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2012. He Previously competed for the promotions RFA and LFA. B ...

on August 31, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 157. 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 fight via unanimous decision. Ismagulov was expected to face

Magomed Mustafaev Magomed Mustafaev (born August 2, 1988) is a Russian mixed martial artist, who competed in the Lightweight division of the UFC. A professional competitor since 2011, he has also competed for M-1 Global. Background Magomed Mustafaev was born ...

on October 30, 2021, at

UFC 267 ''UFC 267: Błachowicz vs. Teixeira'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on October 30, 2021, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Background This event took place ...

. 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 ''UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Emmett'' (also known as ''UFC on ESPN 37'' and ''UFC Austin'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on June 18, 2022 at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, United S ...

. He won the close bout via split decision. Ismagulov faced

Arman Tsarukyan Arman Nairovich Tsarukyan (; born October 11, 1996) is an Armenian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of April 16, 2024, he is #1 in the UFC lightw ...

on December 17, 2022, at

UFC Fight Night 216 ''UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 216, UFC on ESPN+ 74'' and ''UFC Vegas 66'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on December 17, 2022, at the ...

. 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 Grant Michael Dawson (born February 20, 1994) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of July 1, 2025, he is #15 in the UFC lightweight rankings. Backgr ...

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.

Post UFC

Ismagulov was scheduled to face

Adriano Martins Adriano Soares Martins (born June 12, 1982) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of Taura MMA. A professional competitor since 2004, he has competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Strikefo ...

on September 21, 2024 at "Alash Pride FC 100". However, Martins pulled out for unknown reasons and was replaced by Oberdan Tenório on short notice. Ismagulov won the fight via a spinning kick knockout in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

** M-1 Global Lightweight Championship (Three times) ** 2017 M-1 Global Fighter of the Year

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Win , align=center, 27–3 , Alan Patrick , TKO (punches) , Alash Pride 108 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:33 ,

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Kickboxing record

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Professional boxing record

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ismagulov, Damir 1991 births Living people Sportspeople from Orenburg Russian people of Kazakhstani descent Lightweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing ARB Russian male mixed martial artists Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters Russian Muslims 21st-century Russian sportsmen