Alexander Yakovlev (fighter)

Alexander Andreevich Yakovlev (born July 18, 1984), is a Russian mixed martial artist and rapper who competes in the Lightweight division. Yakovlev competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, M-1 Global, ProFC, Shooto Russia, and Bodog Fight promotions.

M-Global
At the age of 19, Alexander made his professional MMA debut in a tournament for M-1 Global.

Yakovlev faced Shamil Zavurov on March 16, 2012, at M-1 Challenge 31, with the fight ending in a draw (judges scorecards: 29–28 Zavurov, 28–28, 28–28)

Yakovlev faced Rashid Magomedov on November 15, 2012, at M-1 Challenge 35. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Yakovlev faced Murad Abdulaev on April 9, 2013, at M-1 Challenge 38. He won via split decision.

Yakovlev faced UFC veteran Paul Daley on November 8, 2013, at Legend 2. He won via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
On January 6, 2014, Yakovlev signed a contract with the UFC.

Yakovlev was initially expected to make his debut against Yan Cabral on May 10, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 40. However, on April 9, Yakovlev was moved to The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale card as he replaced an injured Mike Pierce against Demian Maia. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Yakovlev fought Nico Musoke on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 53. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Yakovlev next dropped to the lightweight division and faced Gray Maynard on April 4, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 63. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Yakovlev faced George Sullivan in the Welterweight at UFC on Fox 18 on January 30, 2016. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Yakovlev was expected to face Ryan LaFlare on July 23, 2016, at UFC on Fox 20. However, LaFlare pulled out of the fight in early June after sustaining an undisclosed injury and replaced by Kamaru Usman. He lost the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.

Yakovlev faced Zak Cummings at UFC Fight Night 99 on November 19, 2016. He lost the fight by submission due to armbar in the second round.

Yakovlev was expected to return from an extended hiatus to face Teemu Packalén on April 20, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 149. However on April 4, 2019, it was reported that Packalen pull out for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Alex da Silva Coelho. Yakovlev won the fight via guillotine choke submission in the second round.

Yakovlev was scheduled to face Vinc Pichel on November 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 163 However, Pichel pulled out of the fight on October 24 citing an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Roosevelt Roberts. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Yakovlev faced Joel Álvarez on October 24, 2020, at UFC 254. At the weigh-ins, Álvarez weighed in at 159.5 pounds, three and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Álvarez was fined 30% of his purse respectively, which went to Yakovlev. Yakovlev lost the fight via an armbar submission in the first round.

On June 17, 2021, it was announced that Yakovlev was released from the UFC.

Post UFC
In his first appearance after leaving the UFC, he faced Ali Abdulkhalikov on March 27, 2022, at ProFC 70. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Yakovlev faced Maxim Butorin on March 18, 2023, at AMC Fight Nights 119, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

Sambo

 * Russian Combat Sambo Federation
 * Medalist Russian Sambo Championship

Hand-to-hand combat

 * Russian Union of Martial Arts
 * Medalist Russian Hand-to-hand combat Championships
 * Russian National Champion

Freestyle wrestling

 * All-Russian Wrestling Federation
 * Medalist of Freestyle Wrestling National Tournament

Grappling

 * NAGA
 * World Champion (2014, 187 lbs)

Discography

 * Examen (Exam) (2011)
 * Bad Boy with D.Masta (2011)
 * ''Money Power (2012)