Asu Almabaev

A champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Kazakhstan and Asia, Asu Almabaev, known professionally as ‘Zulfikar,’ established himself as a prominent flyweight in mixed martial arts. He made his professional MMA debut on June 1, 2013, securing a unanimous decision victory, and returned to competition in 2016 to achieve three consecutive wins. His early career included stints with promotions such as Alash Pride FC, Tech-Krep FC, Fight Nights Global, Naiza, M-1 Global, and Brave Combat Federation. Almabaev marked a significant milestone on October 19, 2019, capturing the Interim M-1 Global Flyweight Championship by unanimous decision against Chris Kelades at M-1 Challenge 105.

Vergara on March 9 at UFC 299, and then over Jose Johnson on June 15 at UFC on ESPN 58. He continued his winning momentum on October 19, 2024, defeating Matheus Nicolau by unanimous decision. Though Almabaev experienced a TKO loss to Manel Kape on March 1, 2025, he demonstrated resilience and quickly rebounded with another decisive win. On July 26, 2025, he secured a unanimous decision victory against Jose Ochoa at UFC on ABC 9, further solidifying his position within the elite ranks of the flyweight division.

As of July 1, 2025, Asu Almabaev holds the #9 spot in the highly competitive UFC flyweight rankings. With a consistent record of high-stakes performances and strategic victories, Almabaev continues to be a formidable force in mixed martial arts. He is currently scheduled to face Alex Perez on November 22, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 265, as he looks to continue his ascent in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and build upon his impressive professional career.