Ikram Sabirovich Aliskerov (born December 7, 1992) is a Russian professional

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 ...

and former combat sambo competitor who currently competes in the

middleweight Middleweight is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Professional In professional boxing, the middleweight division is contested above and up to . Early boxing history is less than exact, but the middleweight designation seems to have beg ...

division of 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 ( ...

(UFC). Aliskerov is a four-time world champion in combat sambo ( FIAS & WCSF) and two-time European champion ( ESF & ECSF).

Early life

An ethnic

Lezgin Lezgin, Lezgi, Lezgian, Lezghian or Lek can refer to: * Lezgins, a people from southern Dagestan and northern Azerbaijan * Lezgin language Lezgian, also called Lezgi or Lezgin , is a Northeast Caucasian language. It is spoken by the Lezgins, wh ...

, Aliskerov was born on December 7, 1992, in the village of Kasumkent in the Suleyman-Stalsky District of

Dagestan Dagestan ( ; ; ), officially the Republic of Dagestan, is a republic of Russia situated in the North Caucasus of Eastern Europe, along the Caspian Sea. It is located north of the Greater Caucasus, and is a part of the North Caucasian Fede ...

, Russia. He started playing sports in the 5th grade, where he began attending

sambo Sambo may refer to: Places * Sambo, Angola, a commune in Tchicala Tcholohanga, Huambo Province, Angola * Sambo Creek, a village in Honduras People * Ferdy Sambo (born 1973), former Indonesian police general * Khem Sambo (1961–2011), Cambodi ...

and

judo is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyc ...

classes. For years, Aliskerov trained under the guidance of experienced trainers who came from

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov Abdulmanap Magomedovich Nurmagomedov (; 10 December 1962 – 3 July 2020) was a Russian Soviet Army, military veteran, former judoka and combat sports coach. In September 2019, he was named by the ''Russian Book of Records'' as the most succe ...

’s gym. At the age of 19, he was invited to join the “Champion” club by coach Esadull Emiragaev, where he also began training in mixed martial arts.

Combat sambo career

During his time as a

combat sambo Sambo is a combat sport, and a recognized style of amateur wrestling governed by the UWW in the World Wrestling Championships along with Greco-Roman wrestling and freestyle wrestling. Practiced worldwide, sambo is a martial art with Soviet o ...

competitor, he became a

world champion A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game ...

in 2016 under the FIAS banner, a two-time World Cup champion in 2014 and 2015 again under FIAS, and a European Champion in 2017 under the European Sambo Federation banner. In September 2012, Aliskerov won gold at the Combat Sambo World Championships in 82 kg under the European Combat Sambo Federation banner. Former

Bellator Bellator, warrior in Latin, may refer to: * Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States * Bishop Bellator of Sufetula (5th century) Taxonomy * ''Bellator'' (fish), a fish genus in the family Triglidae (sea robins) ** ...

welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov came out third in the 82 kg category against Aliskerov. In December 2012, Aliskerov won the World Combat Sambo Championship in 82 kg under the World Combat Sambo Federation banner. It was again in this tournament that Amosov came out third against Aliskerov. Ikram Aliskerov is one of a few combat athletes who have technically beaten Yaroslav Amosov on two occasions in combat sambo tournaments. During Aliskerov's career as a sambist, his victories included wins over world champions like Yaroslav Amosov, Murad Kerimov, and Raimond Magomedaliev in combat sambo tournaments. Aliskerov would have competed for a fifth gold medal had he not lost to Alexey Ivanov (three-time sambo world champion) in a closely contested final. As a result of being the runner-up in the said tournament, Aliskerov qualified for and won the 2017 European Championships, held in Minsk, Belarus.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Aliskerov competed three times in

MMA 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 ...

between 2012 and 2015, winning all of his matches.

Brave Combat Federation

Aliskerov then focused entirely on this sport in 2017, when he signed a contract with

Brave Combat Federation BRAVE Combat Federation is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion based in Bahrain. The organization was established on 23 September 2016 by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. BRAVE Combat Federation features mixed martial artists from more than ...

. He was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Will Fleury on April 29, 2017, at BCF 6. However, Fleury was forced to pull out of the contest and was replaced by Rufat Asadov. He won the bout via submission in the first round. Aliskerov faced Jeremy Smith on November 17, 2017, at BCF 9. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. Aliskerov faced Chad Hanekom on March 2, 2018, at BCF 10. He won the bout by split decision. He was then scheduled to meet Diego Gonzalez on August 18, 2018, at BCF 14. However, Gonzalez pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Joey Michael Berkenbosch. He won the bout via technical knockout in the first round. Aliskerov faced Geraldo Coelho de Lima Neto on December 28, 2018, at BCF 21. He won the fight via technical knockout in the third round. Aliskerov faced undefeated prospect

Khamzat Chimaev Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev (born 1 May 1994) is an Emirati professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In freestyle wrestling, Chima ...

on April 19, 2019, at BCF 23. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round, marking his first defeat. Aliskerov was slated to came back against Mohammad Fakhreddine on October 4, 2019, at BCF 27. However, the bout was cancelled due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

. Instead, he faced Diego Gonzalez on December 27, 2019, at BCF 33. He won the bout via technical knockout in round three. Aliskerov faced Denis Tiuliulin on September 17, 2020, at Brave CF 41. He won the fight via submission in the third round. Aliskerov faced Miro Jurković on March 25, 2021, at Brave CF 49. He won the bout via second round kimura.

Eagle Fighting Championship

Aliskerov faced

Nah-Shon Burrell Nah-Shon Burrell (born February 5, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division. A professional competitor since 2010, Burrell has competed for Bellator MMA, the Ultimate Fighting Champio ...

at Eagle FC 46 on March 11, 2022. At weigh ins, Ikram Aliskerov missed weight for his bout. Aliskerov weighed in at 186.2 pounds, 0.2 pounds over the middleweight non-title limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Burrell. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Dana White Contender Series

Aliskerov faced Mário Sousa on September 13, 2022, at Dana White's Contender Series 54. He won the fight via kimura submission in round one, winning a UFC contract in the process.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Aliskerov faced

Phil Hawes Philip Nicholas Fitzgerald Hawes (born January 8, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist who last competed in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Hawes started out as a standout wrestler, winning a natio ...

on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. Aliskerov was scheduled to face

Paulo Costa Paulo Henrique Costa (born 21 April 1991) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of June 10, 2025, he is #13 in the UFC middleweight ...

on July 29, 2023, at

UFC 291 ''UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on July 29, 2023, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Background The event marked the promot ...

. However, on July 19 it was announced that the bout was scrapped and Aliskerov would instead face Nassourdine Imavov on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294. In turn, Imavov withdrew due to visa issues and was replaced by

Warlley Alves Warlley Alves (born 4 January 1991) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2011, Warlley made a name for himsel ...

. Aliskerov won the fight by technical knockout in the first round. This fight earned him the '' Performance of the Night'' award. Aliskerov was scheduled to face Anthony Hernandez on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298. However Aliskerov withdrew due to compilations related to illness and was replaced by

Roman Kopylov Roman Yuryevich Kopylov (born 4 May 1991) is a Russian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of 29 April 2025, he is #14 in the UFC middleweight rankings. Background R ...

. Aliskerov was scheduled to face André Muniz on June 15, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 58. However, Muniz withdrew from the bout after he suffered a foot fracture, and was replaced by promotional newcomer Antonio Trócoli. In turn, Aliskerov was pulled from that bout to instead face former UFC Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker on June 22, 2024, in the main event at UFC on ABC 6, as a replacement for an ill

. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round. Aliskerov was re-booked to face André Muniz on February 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 250. However, the bout was cancelled once again due to Muniz's and his team's visa issues and was rescheduled for April 26, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 66. Aliskerov won the fight by technical knockout at the end of the first round. Aliskerov was scheduled to face Brunno Ferreira on July 19, 2025 at

UFC 318 ''UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3'' is an upcoming mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that will take place on July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Background The event will ma ...

. However, Aliskerov had to withdraw from the bout due to a broken toe and was replaced by promotional newcomer Jackson McVey.

Championships and accomplishments

Combat Sambo

Fédération Internationale de Sambo International Federation of Amateur SAMBO (Fédération Internationale de SAMBO) is the world governing body for the sport of Sambo. History 1984 - the FILA Assembly decided to create an independent federation of SAMBO (FIAS). The president of ...

World Championship A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game ...

-Sofia, Bulgaria (2016) at 90 kg ** Med_1

World Cup-Moscow, Russia (2014) at 82 kg ** Med_1

World Cup-Moscow, Russia (2015) at 90 kg *World Combat Sambo Federation ** Med_1

World Championship-Moscow, Russia (2012) at 82 kg * European Sambo Federation ** Med_1

European Championship A European Championship is the top level international sports competition between European athletes or sports teams representing their respective countries or professional sports clubs. In the plural, the European Championships also refers t ...

-Minsk, Belarus (2017) at 82 kg * European Combat Sambo Federation ** Med_1

European Championship-Chișinău, Moldova (2012) at 82 kg * All-Russian Sambo Federation ** Med_1

Cup of Russia in Combat Sambo-Moscow, Russia (2013) at 82 kg ** Med_2

Russian Combat Sambo Championship-Nizhny Novgorod, Russia (2017) at 82 kg

Mixed martial arts

** Performance of the Night (One time) vs.

**UFC Honors Awards *** 2023: Fan's Choice Debut of the Year Nominee **UFC.com Awards *** 2023: Ranked #3 Newcomer of the Year

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Win , align=center, 16–2 , André Muniz , TKO (punches) , UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:54 ,

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, abbreviated KC or KCMO, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri by List of cities in Missouri, population and area. The city lies within Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson, Clay County, Missouri, Clay, and Pl ...

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Riyadh Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of the Riyadh Province and the centre of the Riyadh Governorate. Located on the eastern bank of Wadi Hanifa, the current form of the metropolis largely emerged in th ...

, Saudi Arabia , , - , Win , align=center, 15–1 ,

, TKO (flying knee and punches) , UFC 294 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:07 ,

Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...

, United Arab Emirates , , - , Win , align=center, 14–1 ,

, KO (punches) , UFC 288 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:10 ,

Newark, New Jersey Newark ( , ) is the List of municipalities in New Jersey, most populous City (New Jersey), city in the U.S. state of New Jersey, the county seat of Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County, and a principal city of the New York metropolitan area. ...

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Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–1 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Eagle FC 46 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Miami, Florida Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–1 , Miro Jurković , Submission (kimura) , Brave CF 49 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:11 ,

Riffa Riffa () is the second-largest city in the Kingdom of Bahrain in terms of area. The city is divided into three parts: , and . All three parts are located in the Southern Governorate. The city is growing fast: during the 2001 census, the p ...

, Bahrain , , - , Win , align=center, 10–1 , Denis Tiuliulin , Submission (kimura) , Brave CF 41 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:48 ,

, Bahrain , , - , Win , align=center, 9–1 , Diego Gonzalez , TKO (punches) , Brave CF 33 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 2:04 ,

Jeddah Jeddah ( ), alternatively transliterated as Jedda, Jiddah or Jidda ( ; , ), is a List of governorates of Saudi Arabia, governorate and the largest city in Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia, and the country's second largest city after Riyadh, located ...

, Saudi Arabia , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–1 ,

, KO (punch) , Brave CF 23 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:26 ,

Amman Amman ( , ; , ) is the capital and the largest city of Jordan, and the country's economic, political, and cultural center. With a population of four million as of 2021, Amman is Jordan's primate city and is the largest city in the Levant ...

, Jordan , , - , Win , align=center, 8–0 , Geraldo Coelho de Lima Neto , TKO (punches) , Brave CF 21 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, N/A ,

, Saudi Arabia , , - , Win , align=center, 7–0 , Joey Michael Berkenbosch , TKO (punches) , Brave CF 14 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:15 ,

Tangier Tangier ( ; , , ) is a city in northwestern Morocco, on the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The city is the capital city, capital of the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, as well as the Tangier-Assilah Prefecture of Moroc ...

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Isa Town Isa Town (, ''Madīnat ʿĪsā'') is a middle class town located in Bahrain, in the north central part of the country. Etymology The name ''Isa'' refers to Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifah, a former ruler of Bahrain, from 1961 to 1999. History Isa To ...

, Bahrain , , - , Win , align=center, 4–0 , Rufat Asadov , Submission (guillotine choke) , Brave CF 6 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:00 ,

Almaty Almaty, formerly Alma-Ata, is the List of most populous cities in Kazakhstan, largest city in Kazakhstan, with a population exceeding two million residents within its metropolitan area. Located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains ...

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Kaspiysk Kaspiysk (; Lezgin: Каспи ; ) is a city in Dagestan, Russia, located on the Caspian Sea, southeast of Makhachkala. The 2010 Russian census recorded the city as being the fourth-largest in Dagestan. It is a working-class satellite city to ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Vladimir Stukalov , Submission (armbar) , Tech-KREP FC: Prime Selection 4 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:24 ,

Krasnodar Krasnodar, formerly Yekaterinodar (until 1920), is the largest city and the administrative centre of Krasnodar Krai, Russia. The city stands on the Kuban River in southern Russia, with a population of 1,154,885 residents, and up to 1.263 millio ...

, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Alimjon Shadmanov , Decision (unanimous) , Fight Star: European MMA Cup , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Nizhny Novgorod Nizhny Novgorod ( ; rus, links=no, Нижний Новгород, a=Ru-Nizhny Novgorod.ogg, p=ˈnʲiʐnʲɪj ˈnovɡərət, t=Lower Newtown; colloquially shortened to Nizhny) is a city and the administrative centre of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast an ...

, Russia ,

References

Notes

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Aliskerov, Ikram 1992 births Living people Lezgins Russian sambo practitioners Russian male mixed martial artists Middleweight mixed martial artists Russian people of Lezgian descent Mixed martial artists utilizing sambo People from Suleyman-Stalsky District Martial artists from Makhachkala 21st-century Russian sportsmen