Asu Almabayev

Overview

Three UFC submissions, and none of them came in the first round. Asu Almabayev, the Kazakh flyweight, finishes late, not early. His UFC record is 7-1, with four decision wins and the three submissions. The only UFC loss, to Manel Kape, was a third-round TKO in a main event.

He arrives at his next fight on a three-fight win streak. Four straight wins is his longest in the UFC.

UFC Career

Almabayev debuted in August 2023 at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Font and submitted Ode Osbourne in the second round at 3:11. It was his only finish before the third round.

Three decisions followed. He beat CJ Vergara at UFC 299 in March 2024, then Jose Johnson in June, then Matheus Nicolau that October. All three went the distance. That run took him to four straight wins and a main event slot.

The main event was UFC Fight Night: Kape vs Almabayev in March 2025. Manel Kape stopped him in round three at 2:16. It remains the only loss of his UFC career, and the only time he has been finished in the UFC.

He rebuilt with a unanimous decision over Jose Ochoa in July 2025. Then came Alex Perez in November 2025: a submission win in round three at 0:22. Last on the list is Charles Johnson, submitted in round three at 3:33 at UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres in June 2026.

Seven wins. Zero knockouts. Three submissions.

Fighting Style

Asu Almabayev is a grappler first. He takes the fight to the mat far more often than most UFC fighters and hunts for submissions at a high rate. He is accurate when he does strike and absorbs very little on the feet, but he doesn't throw much volume.

His takedown defense is a weak spot. He gets taken down more than most, so he is better at dictating where a fight goes than at keeping it standing.

The finishing pattern fits that profile. All three of his submission wins came in rounds two and three, and none of his UFC wins came by knockout. He also has four decision wins, so he often wins by grinding out the full fight.

His one UFC loss was a third-round TKO.

Notable Wins

• Alex Perez — submission, round 3 at 0:22, UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker (2025)
• Charles Johnson — submission, round 3 at 3:33, UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres (2026)
• Ode Osbourne — submission, round 2 at 3:11, UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Font (2023)
• Matheus Nicolau — unanimous decision, round 3, UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs Pereira (2024)

Quick Facts

• Division: Flyweight
• UFC record: 7-1 (3 submissions, 4 decisions)
• Professional record (all promotions): 24-3-0
• UFC debut: 2023
• Stance: Orthodox
• Height / reach: 5'4" / 65"
• Team: Dar Team
• Born: Kazakhstan