Askar Askarov

Askar Askarov (Russian: Аскар Сайпулаевич Аскаров; born 9 October 1992)[1] is a Russian mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler who competes in the Flyweight division of Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA). A professional mixed martial artist since 2013, Askarov previously competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB), where he has won the ACB Flyweight Championship and 2017 Summer Deaflympics 61 kg freestyle wrestling gold medalist.

Askar Askarov
BornAskar Askarov
(1992-10-09) October 9, 1992
Kamysh-Kutan, Akhvakhsky District, Republic of Dagestan, Russia
Native nameАскар Сайпулаевич Аскаров[1]
Other namesBullet
ResidenceKhasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
DivisionFlyweight
Reach67 in (170 cm)[2]
StyleFreestyle wrestling, Sambo
Fighting out ofKhasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia
TeamFighting Eagles
RankInternational Master of Sports of Russia in Freestyle Wrestling
Master of Sports of Russia in Combat Sambo
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total16
Wins14
By knockout4
By submission7
By decision3
Losses1
By decision1
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Men's Freestyle Wrestling
Representing  Russia
Deaflympics
Gold medal – first place2017 Samsun– 61 kg
World Deaf Championships
Bronze medal – third place2018 Vladimir– 61 kg

Personal life

Askarov was born to an Akhvakh family on 9 October 1992, in the village of Kamysh-Kutan in the Akhvakhsky District of Dagestan, an autonomous republic within the Russian Federation.[1]

Askarov was born deaf, and though his hearing has improved, he can only hear approximately 20% of the sounds most people can, meaning he cannot hear instructions from his team during a fight.[3] Askarov has represented Russia as part of the national deaf wrestling team, including at the Summer Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey in 2017, where he won a gold medal.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Askarov made his professional MMA debut in Russia in July 2013, against a fellow debutante in Shamil Amirov. He won the fight by a rear naked choke in the second round. In his second fight, he fought another debuting fighter, Kvanzhakov Kantemir, and won by a first round TKO. Askarov extended his winning streak to four, with stoppage wins against Elvin Abbasov and Vakha Kadyrov.[5]

Absolute Championship Berkut

Following these two victories, Askarov signed with the Russian based promotion Absolute Championship Berkut. In his first fight with ACB, Askarov defeated Vyacheslav Gagiev by a second round TKO.[6] During ACB 22, Askarov fought[7] and submitted the undefeated Kirill Medvedovski.[8] He was then scheduled to fight Marcin Lasota during ACB 29.[9] Askarov won the fight by a second round TKO.[10] In his fourth with the organization, Askarov was scheduled to fight Ruslan Abiltarov during ACB 38.[11] He won the fight by rear naked choke, and was awarded a $5,000 bonus for the submission of the night.

These victories earned Askar the chance to fight José Maria Tomé for the vacant ACB Flyweight Championship.[12] He beat José Maria Tomé by submission in the fifth round to become the first ACB flyweight champion.[13] Askarov additionally earned a $5,000 bonus for the "Fight of the Night".[14]

Askarov was scheduled to have his first title defense during ACB 58, when he was fought Anthony Leone.[15] Askarov won the fight mid-way through the third round, by a body triangle neck crank.[16]

Askarov was scheduled to defend his title for the second time against Rasul Albaskhanov, during ACB 86.[17] He defeated Albaskhanov by a second round guillotine choke.[18]

Following his signature with the UFC, Askarov vacated the ACB Flyweight title.[19]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Askarov made his UFC debut against Brandon Moreno on the main card of UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Stephens. Though Moreno was competing in front of his home fans in Mexico, they fought to a split draw after three rounds.[20]

For his second fight in the Octagon, Askarov was booked to face former UFC flyweight title challenger Tim Elliott at on January 18, 2020 at UFC 246.[21] Askarov won the bout via unanimous decision.[22]

In his third fight for the promotion, Askarov faced Alexandre Pantoja at UFC Fight Night 172 on July 19, 2020.[23] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[24]

Askarov faced Joseph Benavidez on March 6, 2021 at UFC 259.[25] At the weigh-ins, Askar weighed in at 127 pounds, one pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at a catchweight and he was fined 20 percent of his individual purse, which went to Benavidez.[26] Askarov won the fight via unanimous decision.[27]

Askarov was scheduled to face Alex Perez on July 31, 2021 on UFC on ESPN 28.[28] However, Askarov pulled out of the fight in early July citing injury. In turn, Perez was removed from the card entirely and rescheduled to face Matt Schnell four weeks later on August 28, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 192.[29]

Askarov faced Kai Kara-France on March 26, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 33.[30] He lost the first bout of his professional career via unanimous decision.[31]

The bout between Askarov and Perez was rescheduled and they are expected to meet on July 16, 2022 at UFC on ABC 3.[32] Askarov pulled out once again in early June due to undisclosed reasons and Perez was rescheduled against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 277.[33]

Askarov was scheduled to face Brandon Royval on October 15, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 212.[34] However the bout was cancelled the day before the event due to weight management issues.[35]

At the end of October, Askarov requested and was granted a release to deal with his health issues.[36]

Absolute Championship Akhmat

On January 28, 2023 it was announced that Askarov has signed a deal with Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA).[37]

Askarov was scheduled to face Azamat Kerefov 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.[38]

Askarov is scheduled to face Alan Gomes on November 24, 2023 at ACA 166.[39]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Freestyle wrestling

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
16 matches 14 wins 1 loss
By knockout 4 0
By submission 7 0
By decision 3 1
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 14–1–1 Kai Kara-France Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Daukaus March 26, 2022 3 5:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win 14–0–1 Joseph Benavidez Decision (unanimous) UFC 259 March 6, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (127 lb) bout; Askarov missed weight.
Win 13–0–1 Alexandre Pantoja Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2 July 19, 2020 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 12–0–1 Tim Elliott Decision (unanimous) UFC 246 January 18, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Draw 11–0–1 Brandon Moreno Draw (split) UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Stephens September 21, 2019 3 5:00 Mexico City, Mexico
Win 11–0 Rasul Albaskhanov Technical submission (guillotine choke) ACB 86 May 5, 2018 2 1:59 Moscow, Russia Defended the ACB Flyweight Championship.
Win 10–0 Anthony Leone Submission (twister) ACB 58 April 22, 2017 3 2:41 Khasavyurt, Russia Defended the ACB Flyweight Championship.
Win 9–0 José Maria Tomé Submission (anaconda choke) ACB 48 October 22, 2016 5 1:57 Moscow, Russia Won the ACB Flyweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win 8–0 Ruslan Abiltarov Submission (rear-naked choke) ACB 38 May 20, 2016 2 1:37 Rostov-on-Don, Russia Submission of the Night.
Win 7–0 Marcin Lasota TKO (punches) ACB 29 February 6, 2016 2 3:35 Warsaw, Poland
Win 6–0 Kirill Medvedovsky Submission (rear-naked choke) ACB 22 September 12, 2015 3 3:56 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 5–0 Vyacheslav Gagiev TKO (punches) ACB 17 May 12, 2015 2 1:56 Grozny, Russia
Win 4–0 Vakha Kadyrov TKO (punches) Khasavyurt Fight: Dagestan MMA Open Cup 2014 June 21, 2014 1 3:15 Dagestan, Russia
Win 3–0 Elvin Abbasov Submission (armbar) GEFC: Lights of Baku 2 February 15, 2014 2 3:45 Baku, Azerbaijan
Win 2–0 Kvanzhakov Kantemir TKO (punches) Sparta Martial Arts Club: Team Sosnovy Bor vs. Team Leningrad Oblast December 8, 2013 1 2:14 Leningrad, Russia
Win 1–0 Shamil Amirov Submission (rear-naked choke) Liga Kavkaz: Grand Umakhan Battle July 7, 2013 2 2:05 Khunzakh, Russia Flyweight debut.

[41]

See also

References
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