Ismail Naurdiev

Ismail Naurdiev (; born 18 August 1996) is an Austrian and Moroccan mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He formerly competed in the Super Welterweight division of Brave Combat Federation and Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB).

Early life Naurdiev was born in Grozny, Chechnya, Russia and his family left the war-torn city and moved to Austria in 2004 for a safe and better life. He started training in wrestling and transitioned to MMA when he was a teenager. At the beginning of his MMA professional career, Naurdiev did not have any trainers or sparring partners but would accept every fight offered to him for experience.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Naurdiev fought in the European-based promotions, notably Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), formally known as Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB), and amassed a record of 17–2 prior to joining UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Naurdiev made his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos on 23 February 2019. He faced Michel Prazeres, replacing injured Ramazan Emeev, and won the fight by unanimous decision.

On 6 July 2019, Naurdiev faced Chance Rencountre at UFC 239. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Naurdiev next faced Siyar Bahadurzada at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Cannonier on 28 September 2019. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Naurdiev faced Sean Brady on 29 February 2020, at UFC Fight Night 169. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

On 19 March 2020, it was reported that Naurdiev parted way with UFC. Later, Naurdiev elaborated that after fighting out his four-fight rookie contract with a record of 2–2, the organization was not interested in re-signing him.

Post-UFC career On 24 August 2020, news surfaced that Naurdiev had signed with Elite MMA Championship and was expected to make his promotional debut in the promotion's welterweight grand prix at EMC 5 on 5 September 2020. He faced Tymoteusz Łopaczyk and won the fight via unanimous decision, advancing to the grand prix final.

In the final, Naurdiev was expected to face Amiran Gogoladze at EMC 6 on 31 October 2020. However, Naurdiev withdrew from the bout due to an injury prior to the whole event being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brave Combat Federation On 26 February 2021, Naurdiev announced that he signed a multi-fight contract with Brave Combat Federation. Subsequently, it was announced that Naurdiev will be challenging Jarrah Al-Silawi for the BRAVE CF Super Welterweight Championship at Brave CF 50 on 1 April 2021. He lost in the second round after he injured his leg from a kick.

Naurdiev faced Olli Santalahti on 25 September 2021, at Brave CF 54. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Naurdiev faced Bekten Zheenbekov on 18 June 2022 at Brave CF 59. He won the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.

Naurdiev faced Marcin Bandel for the vacant Brave CF Super Welterweight Championship at Brave CF 63. He lost the bout in the first round after being dropped by Bandel and submitted with an armbar.

Naurdiev looked to rebound against Vadim Kutsyi on 17 December 2022 at Brave CF 68, however he lost the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.

Naurdiev moved up to Middleweight and faced Tahar Hadbi on 8 December 2023 at Brave CF 79, winning the bout via guillotine choke in the first round.

Return to UFC Naurdiev faced Bruno Silva on 26 October 2024, at UFC 308. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Naurdiev was scheduled to face Jun Yong Park on 17 May 2025, at UFC Fight Night 256. However, for unknown reasons, the bout was rescheduled to UFC on ABC 8 which took place on 21 June. After Naurdiev was deduced two points due to an illegal knee, he lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Naurdiev faced Ryan Loder on 22 November 2025, at UFC Fight Night 265. He won the fight by knockout in the first round.

Naurdiev was scheduled to face Marvin Vettori on 27 June 2026 at UFC Fight Night 280. However, Vettori withdrew due to a rib injury, so the bout was scrapped. The bout was rescheduled to 3 October 2026 at UFC 332. Naurdiev won the fight by unanimous decision.

Personal life Naurdiev earned his moniker "The Austrian Wonderboy" due to his flashy, stylist and wild spinning kicks skills.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC.com Awards 2019: Ranked #6 Newcomer of the Year & Ranked #7 Upset of the Year

Absolute Championship Berkut Knockout of the Night (One time)

Aggrelin AG Welterweight Championship (One time)

World Freefight Challenge Knockout of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

|Win |align=center|26–8 |Marvin Vettori |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 332 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

|Win |align=center|24–7 |Bruno Silva |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 308 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

| Win | align=center| 16–2 | Georgi Valentinov | KO (spinning wheel kick and punches) | ACB 74 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 3:10 | Vienna, Austria

| Win | align=center| 15–1 | Ben Alloway | KO (kick to the body) | ACB 60 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:24 | Vienna, Austria

| Win | align=center| 14–1 | Andrei Vasinca | TKO (knee and punches) | ACB 52 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:28 | Vienna, Austria

See also List of current Brave CF fighters List of male mixed martial artists

References

External links

Ismail Naurdiev

Bron en licentie