Nazim Sadykhov ( Azerbaijani: Nazim Sadıxov, born May 16, 1994) is an Azerbaijani mixed martial artist who currently 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 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).

Early life

Nazim Sadykhov was born on May 16, 1994, in

Moscow Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...

, Russia to Azerbaijani parents. His father introduced him to sports early to teach self-defense. Sadykhov grew up in

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

, but maintains a strong connection to his Azerbaijani heritage, honoring his lineage and cultural roots.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Nazim Sadykhov began his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career on November 16, 2018. After an initial loss, he achieved a series of victories, including six by knockout and two by submission. This performance led to his participation in

Dana White's Contender Series Dana White's Contender Series, formerly named Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, is an American mixed martial arts promotion. In May 2017, the UFC announced White would hold the competition weekly on UFC Fight Pass (It has since been mov ...

on August 16, 2022, where he secured a third-round knockout against Ahmad Hassanzada, earning a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In the UFC debut, Sadykhov faced Evan Elder on February 18, 2023, at

UFC Fight Night 219 ''UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 219'', ''UFC on ESPN+ 77'', and ''UFC Vegas 69'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on February 18, 2023, at ...

. He won the fight by technical knockout due to a doctor's stoppage in the third round. This fight earned his '' Fight of the Night'' award. Sadykhov faced

Terrance McKinney Terrance Kitarius McKinney (born September 15, 1994) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2017, McKinney also compet ...

on July 15, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 49. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round two. Sadykhov faced Viacheslav Borshchev on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295. The fight ended via a majority draw. This fight earned his '' Fight of the Night'' award. Sadykhov was scheduled to face Chris Duncan on July 13, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 59. However, Duncan withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by MarQuel Mederos. A week later, Mederos pulled out and the bout was scrapped. Sadykhov faced Ismael Bonfim on February 15, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 251. He won the fight by technical knockout due to a doctor's stoppage at the end of the first round. Sadykhov faced Nikolas Motta on June 21, 2025, at UFC on ABC 8. He won the fight by technical knockout in the second round. This fight earned him two $50,000 awards ('' Performance of the Night'' and '' Fight of the Night'') totaling $100,000.

Championships and accomplishments

** Fight of the Night (Three times) ** Performance of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nazim Sadykhov 1994 births Lightweight mixed martial artists Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters Azerbaijani male mixed martial artists Living people