Abubakar Nurmagomedov

Overview

Four UFC fights, zero finishes, and not a single one of them ended in a knockout. Abubakar Nurmagomedov, a Russian welterweight from the Republic of Dagestan, is 2-2 in the UFC and 17-4-1 as a pro across all promotions. Both of his UFC wins went to the scorecards, and so did one of his losses.

He debuted in November 2019 and has fought just four times since. His last outing was a split-decision loss, so he carries a one-fight losing streak into his next bout.

UFC Career

The debut went wrong fast. David Zawada submitted him in the first round, at 2:50, at a Fight Night headlined by Zabit and Kattar. It's the only time he has been finished in the UFC.

He then won two in a row, both by unanimous decision over three rounds. First came Jared Gooden at UFC 260, then Gadzhi Omargadzhiev at UFC 280, which gave him the longest win streak of his UFC run.

The streak ended in June 2023. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, an opponent our model rates as strong, took a split decision over three rounds. It's the only loss on his record that wasn't a first-round submission.

Two wins, two losses, nothing settled early. Every fight since the debut has gone the distance.

Fighting Style

Abubakar Nurmagomedov is a defensive fighter, not a volume striker. He throws less than most UFC fighters, but he is very hard to hit, and what he does throw tends to land.

His takedown defense is just as strong, and he rarely shoots for takedowns or looks for submissions himself. He is content to stay on his feet and keep the fight where he is hardest to hurt. That makes the submission loss to Zawada the exception to his pattern, not the rule.

His UFC record is 2-2, and both wins went to the scorecards. He has no finishes in four fights, though the sample is small. The picture is of a fighter who wins by taking away what his opponent wants to do, not by ending fights.

Notable Wins

• Gadzhi Omargadzhiev — unanimous decision, round 3, UFC 280 (2022)
• Jared Gooden — unanimous decision, round 3, UFC 260 (2021)

Quick Facts

• Division: Welterweight
• UFC record: 2-2
• Professional record (all promotions): 17-4-1
• UFC debut: 2019
• Stance: Orthodox
• Height: 5'11"; reach: 72"
• Born: Republic of Dagestan, Russia