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Kazakhstan Asu Almabaev, known as "Zulfikar," has established himself as a prominent flyweight in mixed martial arts, transitioning from early training in Kazakhstan to competing on the global stage of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Kazakhstan's rising flyweight contender plans on turning his unexpected main event chance into a championship opportunity later in 2025.
Flyweight Asu Almabayev Reacts With UFC.com Following His Unanimous Decision Win Over Jose Ochoa At UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs de Ridder On July 26 in ...
Asu Almabayev punches Matheus Nicolau in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada ...
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Asu Almabayev is expected to fill in for an injured Brandon Royval against Manel Kape at UFC Vegas 103 ...
Born on January 25, 1994, in Janatalap, Sarysu District, Kazakhstan, Asu Abaiuly Almabayev began training in wrestling at the age of five. At ten, he moved to Almaty with his family, where he broadened his combat sports education to include karate, boxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. During his college years, before fully committing to mixed martial arts, Almabayev worked at a market where his parents operated a small shop, a job he maintained until he was 23. His foundational training led him to become a champion in Kazakhstan and Asia in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, laying the groundwork for his professional MMA career.
Almabayev made his professional MMA debut on June 1, 2013, securing a unanimous decision victory. After a three-year hiatus, he returned in 2016, achieving three consecutive wins. His career included stints with promotions like Alash Pride FC, Tech-Krep FC, Fight Nights Global, Naiza, M-1 Global, and Brave Combat Federation. A significant milestone occurred on October 19, 2019, when he captured the Interim M-1 Global Flyweight Championship by unanimous decision against Chris Kelades at M-1 Challenge 105. He continued an impressive winning streak, securing thirteen victories across various promotions before his UFC debut.
Asu Almabayev entered the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2023, making his debut on August 5 against Ode’ Osbourne at UFC on ESPN 50. He secured a submission victory via a rear-naked choke in the second round, earning him the Performance of the Night award. Following this, he delivered unanimous decision victories over C.J. Vergara on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299, and Jose Johnson on June 15, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 58. On October 19, 2024, he defeated Matheus Nicolau by unanimous decision. While he experienced a TKO loss to Manel Kape on March 1, 2025, he rebounded with a unanimous decision win against Jose Ochoa on July 26, 2025. Almabayev is currently ranked #9 in the UFC flyweight rankings as of July 1, 2025, and is scheduled to face Alex Perez on November 22, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 265.
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