# Azamat Kerefov

Azamat Kerefov (Russian: Азамат Керефов) is a Russian mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the ACA, where he is the former ACA Flyweight Champion. Fight Matrix had him ranked a top 10 flyweight in the world from July 2020 till October 2022. He is ranked #3 in the ACA flyweight rankings.

## Mixed martial arts career

Kerefov started his career as a professional fighter in mixed martial arts in 2014. His debut took place in the TFC - Gladiator Fights tournament, where he met with Andrey Khugaev, Kerefov finished his opponent at the end of the fourth minute of the first round . He fought with various promotions, such as ACB, ACA, ProFC, Tech-Krep FC, TFC - Gladiator Fights, Heat - Heat 41.
On April 22, 2017, Kerefov made his ACA debut at the ACB 58: Young Eagles 17 tournament, finishing his opponent, a fighter from Belgium, Hamid Sultanbiev, with a choke hold in the second round.
Kerefov won his next three bouts in ACA via decisions, against Kurban Gadzhiev, Narek Avagyan, and Goga Shamatava.
On February 21, 2020 at the ACA 104: Goncharov vs. Vakhaev won the ACA flyweight champion belt, defeating the titled Russian fighter, ACB flyweight contender, Mansur Khatuev, by unanimous decision.
On November 6, 2020 at the ACA 113: Kerefov vs. Gadzhiev, Kerefov defended the ACA Flyweight Championship in a fight against challenger Kurban Gadzhiez. Azamat Kerefov won by unanimous decision.
Azamat was expected to make his second title defense against the #3 ranked Rasul Albaskhanov at ACA 121: Kerefov vs. Albaskhanov on April 9, 2021. However, 2 days before Kerefov had to withdraw from the bout due to health issues. The bout was rescheduled for ACA 127: Kerefov vs. Albaskhanov on August 28, 2021. Kerefov won the fight by a third-round technical submission.
After the bout, Kerefov vacated the ACA Flyweight Championship in order to test free agency.
Kerefov faced Felipe Pereira on October 20, 2022 at UAE Warriors 34. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Kerefov was scheduled to face former UFC Top 5 contender Askar Askarov on July 21, 2023 at ACA 160 as part of the 2023 ACA Flyweight Grand Prix, however the bout was scrapped after Askarov had to pull out due to medical issues.
Kerefov faced Osimkhon Rakhmonov on September 2, 2023 at ACA 162 as part of the 2023 ACA Flyweight Grand Prix. At weigh-ins, Both Kerefov (129.8 lbs / 58.9 kg) and Rakhmonov (128 lbs / 58.1 kg) missed weight, with Kerefov being fined 50% and Rakhmonov being fined a 30% of his purse. He won the bout via TKO stoppage in the third round.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Absolute Championship Akhmat
** ACA Flyweight Championship (One time)
*** Two successful title defenses
* Tech-Krep FC
** PRIME Selection 2016 Tournament Championship (One time)

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 17 matches | 17 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 0 |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 11 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 17–0 | Osimkhon Rakhmonov | TKO (punches) | ACA 162 | September 2, 2023 | 3 | 1:54 | Krasnodar, Russia | 2023 ACA Flyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal; both fighters missed weight (129.8 lb). |
| Win | 16–0 | Felipe Pereira | Decision (unanimous) | UAE Warriors 34 | October 20, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 15–0 | Rasul Albaskhanov | Technical Submission (anaconda choke) | ACA 127 | August 28, 2021 | 3 | 3:11 | Krasnodar, Russia | Defended the ACA Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–0 | Kurban Gadzhiev | Decision (unanimous) | ACA 113 | November 6, 2020 | 5 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia | Defended the ACA Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–0 | Mansur Khatuev | Decision (unanimous) | ACA 104 | February 21, 2020 | 5 | 5:00 | Krasnodar, Russia | Won the vacant ACA Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–0 | Goga Shamatava | Decision (split) | ACA 97 | August 31, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Krasnodar, Russia | |
| Win | 11–0 | Narek Avagyan | Decision (unanimous) | ACA 94 | March 30, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Krasnodar, Russia | |
| Win | 10–0 | Kurban Gadzhiev | Decision (unanimous) | ACB 89 | September 8, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Krasnodar, Russia | |
| Win | 9–0 | Takeshi Kasugai | Decision (split) | HEAT 41 | December 23, 2017 | 4 | 5:00 | Nagoya, Japan | Flyweight debut. |
| Win | 8–0 | Khamid Sultanbiev | Decision (unanimous) | ACB 58 | April 22, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Khasavyurt, Russia | |
| Win | 7–0 | Aren Akopyan | Decision (unanimous) | Tech-Krep FC: PRIME Selection 2016 Finals | October 29, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Krasnodar, Russia | |
| Win | 6–0 | Evgeny Bondarev | Decision (unanimous) | Tech-Krep FC: PRIME Selection 2016 Stage 3 | August 5, 2016 | 2 | 5:00 | Krasnodar, Russia | |
| Win | 5–0 | Abdulkar Kadilov | KO (punches) | Tech-Krep FC: PRIME Selection 2016 Stage 2 | July 7, 2016 | 1 | 2:23 | Krasnodar, Russia | |
| Win | 4–0 | Nemat Mamedov | TKO (punches) | Armavir MMA Federation: Battle on the Kuban | June 5, 2016 | 1 | 2:23 | Krasnodar, Russia | |
| Win | 3–0 | Shamil Magomedov | TKO (punches) | PFC Gladiator 2 | September 26, 2015 | 1 | 3:08 | Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia | |
| Win | 2–0 | Khasan Galaev | Decision (unanimous) | Battle on Akhtuba 1 | October 4, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Volgograd, Russia | |
| Win | 1–0 | Andrey Khugaev | Submission (armbar) | Gladiator Fights 2014 | July 4, 2014 | 1 | 3:40 | Nalchik, Russia | Bantamweight debut. |