# Abubakar Nurmagomedov

Abubakar Magomedovich Nurmagomedov (born November 13, 1989) is a Russian mixed martial artist, who was formerly competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has also previously competed for the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He is a three-time Combat Sambo World Championship bronze medalist and Russian national combat sambo champion.

## Background

Abubakar Nurmagomedov was born on November 13, 1989, in the village of Goksuv in Khasavyurtovsky District, Dagestan. At primary school Abubakar began to train in freestyle wrestling, and after high school he switched to Combat Sambo under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. In 2014 he won the bronze medal match at the Combat Sambo World Championships.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

Nurmagomedov made his professional MMA debut in October 2011 against Ibrahim Dzhantukhanov of Russia, and won in the first round by Submission (armbar). At the Sochi Star tournament he lost to Magomed Mustafaev by technical knockout in the first round.

### World Combat Sambo Championship

Abubakar came in third place in various world combat sambo tournaments, against multiple world champions like Yaroslav Amosov and Pavel Kusch, and Eldar Eldarov in the tournaments he competed in.

### World Series of Fighting

In March Nurmagomedov signed a contract with WSOF.
In his WSOF debut, Nurmagomedov defeated Jorge Moreno of USA on August 1, 2015, at WSOF 22 via unanimous decision.
After his debut he beat next opponent from Las Vegas, Nevada Danny Davis Jr. on December 18, 2015, at WSOF 26 via unanimous decision.
Nurmagomedov faced Matthew Frincu on April 2, 2016, at WSOF 30. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Nurmagomedov faced John Howard on October 7, 2016, at WSOF 33. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Nurmagomedov faced Matt Secor on 18 March 2017 at WSOF 35. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

### Professional Fighters League

Nurmagomedov competed at PFL welterweight Grand-Prix. He faced Pavel Kusch in the opening round at PFL 3 on July 5, 2018. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
Nurmagomedov faced Jonatan Westin on August 16, 2018, at PFL 6. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
On October 15, 2018, it was announced that Nurmagomedov would replace João Zeferino in the Welterweight Tournament at PFL 10 on October 20, 2018. He faced Bojan Veličković in the quarter-final round. The bout ended in a unanimous draw with Nurmagomedov advancing due to winning the first round. However, Nurmagomedov did not advance to semifinals due to hand injury and Veličković replaced him.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Nurmagomedov made his promotional debut on November 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 163 against David Zawada. He lost the fight via submission in round one.
Nurmagomedov faced Jared Gooden on March 27, 2021, at UFC 260. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Daniel Rodriguez on July 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 26. However, Nurmagomedov was forced to withdraw from the event, citing injury.
Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Philip Rowe on July 16, 2022, at UFC on ABC: Ortega vs. Rodríguez. However, the pairing was cancelled due to complications on both sides. Rowe has been forced to withdraw due to an injury, while Nurmagomedov is dealing with visa issues.
Nurmagomedov faced Gadzhi Omargadzhiev on October 22, 2022, at UFC 280. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Nurmagomedov was scheduled to face Carlston Harris on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221. However, Nurmagomedov withdrew from the bout due to an undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jared Gooden.
Nurmagomedov faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46. He lost the fight via split decision.
On February 14, 2024, it was announced that Nurmagomedov had parted with the UFC.

#### Global Fight League

On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Nurmagomedov was signed by Global Fight League.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Sambo

* World Combat Sambo Federation (WCSF)
** 2013 World Championship (Moscow, Russia, 82 kg) — ;
** 2014 Combat Sambo World Cup (Gaspra, Russia, 82 kg) — ;
** 2014 World Championship (Moscow, Russia, 82 kg) — ;

## Controversies
### UFC 229 Nurmagomedov-McGregor post-fight incident

At UFC 229, Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped the cage after his title victory and charged toward Conor McGregor's cornerman Dillon Danis. Soon after, McGregor and Abubakar attempted to exit the octagon, but a scuffle broke out between them after Abubakar was attacked by McGregor. McGregor was then attacked by two of Khabib's corner men, Zubaira Tukhugov and Esed Emiragaev. On January 29, 2019, the NSAC announced a one-year suspension for Nurmagomedov, (retroactive to October 6, 2018) and a $25,000 fine. He became eligible to compete again on June 6, 2019.

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 22 matches | 17 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 1 |
| By submission | 4 | 2 |
| By decision | 7 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 17–4–1 | Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos | Decision (split) | UFC on ESPN: Kara-France vs. Albazi | June 3, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 17–3–1 | Gadzhi Omargadzhiev | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 280 | October 22, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 16–3–1 | Jared Gooden | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 260 | March 27, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 15–3–1 | David Zawada | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Magomedsharipov vs. Kattar | November 9, 2019 | 1 | 2:50 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Draw | 15–2–1 | Bojan Veličković | Draw (unanimous) | PFL 10 | October 20, 2018 | 2 | 5:00 | Washington, D.C., United States | 2018 PFL Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal. Advanced via first round tiebreaker but later withdrew due to a hand injury. |
| Win | 15–2 | Jonatan Westin | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 6 | August 16, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | 2018 PFL Welterweight Tournament Opening Round. |
| Loss | 14–2 | Pavel Kusch | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PFL 3 | July 5, 2018 | 2 | 1:23 | Washington, D.C., United States | 2018 PFL Welterweight Tournament Opening Round. |
| Win | 14–1 | Matt Secor | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 35 | March 18, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Verona, New York, United States | |
| Win | 13–1 | John Howard | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 33 | October 7, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 12–1 | Matthew Frincu | TKO (punches) | WSOF 30 | April 2, 2016 | 2 | 3:05 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–1 | Danny Davis Jr. | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 26 | December 18, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–1 | Jorge Moreno | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 22 | August 1, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Vladimir Gunzu | TKO (punches) | Sochi Star Club: Sochi Star Tournament 3 | February 22, 2015 | 1 | N/A | Sochi, Russia | |
| Loss | 8–1 | Magomed Mustafaev | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Sochi Star Club: Sochi Star Tournament 1 | September 1, 2014 | 2 | 4:11 | Sochi, Russia | |
| Win | 8–0 | Richard Totrav | TKO (punches) | Sochi Star Club: Sochi Star Tournament 1 | September 1, 2014 | 1 | 4:27 | Sochi, Russia | |
| Win | 7–0 | Dmitry Capmari | TKO (punches) | Union of Veterans of Sport: Champion Cup | December 21, 2013 | 1 | 3:36 | Novosibirsk, Russia | Return to Welterweight. |
| Win | 6–0 | Magomed Shakhbanov | TKO (punches) | Liga Kavkaz: Grand Umakhan Battle | July 7, 2013 | 1 | 2:46 | Khunzakh, Russia | Middleweight bout. |
| Win | 5–0 | Yuri Grigoryan | Submission (kimura) | Russian MMA Union: St. Petersburg MMA Championship 1 | March 31, 2013 | 1 | 1:40 | Saint Petersburg, Russia | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Win | 4–0 | Sergei Akinin | TKO (punches) | OctagonMMA Warriors: Nurmagomedov vs. Akinin | February 21, 2013 | 1 | 4:10 | Zhukovsky, Russia | |
| Win | 3–0 | Adilbek Zhaldoshov | TKO (punches) | OctagonMMA Warriors: Nurmagomedov vs. Akinin | February 21, 2013 | 1 | 3:40 | Zhukovsky, Russia | Middleweight debut. |
| Win | 2–0 | Anatoly Safronov | Submission (triangle choke) | Liga Kavkaz 2012 | July 3, 2012 | 1 | 2:30 | Khasavyurt, Russia | |
| Win | 1–0 | Ibrahim Dzhantukhanov | Submission (armbar) | ProFC: Battle in the Caucasus | October 22, 2011 | 1 | 1:32 | Khasavyurt, Russia | Welterweight debut. |