Draft:Muslim Magomedov

Muslim Mikailovich Magomedov (Муслим Микаилович Магомедов; born 31 January 1995) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist, who currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division. He currently competes in Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), where he is also their, sitting World Light Heavyweight Champion.

Muslim is also one-time World Champion, one-time European Champion and two-times Russian Champion in Amateur MMA.

Early life
Muslim was born in the village of Kokrek, in the Khasavyurtovsky district in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, on January 31,1995. Following the footsteps of his his relatives and his peers, Muslim started doing freestyle wrestling during his school days. Having enjoyed success in numerous local youth competition scene, he stood out amongst his peers, for his excellent technique & physical strength.

As he turned fifteen years of age, Muslim switched to competing in amateur MMA tourneys. Even though, the entire ecosystem of MMA in Russia was greatly underdeveloped, Muslim, who was convinced of his combat prowess, was fully focused on accomplishing topmost feats in his chosen field of mixed martial arts. Initially, he competed exclusively in local MMA circuit, after he successfully accomplished at winning gold at North Caucasus Federal District MMA tournament, the Dagestani began to conquer both the Russian championships and international tournaments by the age of 22 years old.

Early career
Muslim had his first pro fight as a 22 years old, against Kyrgyz Sadyrbek Uzak, at FNG - Fight Nights Global 60, on March 4, 2017, in which the Dagestani had debut victory by TKO'ing his Kyrgyz opponent in the round two of the fight. Four months later, Muslim second fight came against Alexey Sidorenko at FNG - Fight Nights Global 71, which he won by unanimous decision.

In his third pro fight, Muslim was booked against Kazakh Asylzhan Bakhytzhanuly at ACB 86 - Moscow, on May 5, 2018, which he won via rear-naked choke in the second-round of the fight. After this fight Muslim was to take a break from fighting in Russia, as ACB was in process of being merged with WFCA.

On November 16, 2018, Muslim fought for China-based MMA promotion Wu Lin Feng, against Iranian fighter Mehdi Barghi at heavyweight setting at WLF - W.A.R.S. 29; where he defeated his Iranian opponent on unanimous decision after hard fought three-rounds.

Absolute Championship Akhmat
Following the ACB merger with WFCA, Muslim competed for the new organization ACA, by fighting against Ex-UFC fighter Chris Camozzi at ACA 93 - St. Petersburg, on March 16, 2019; where he stopped Camozzi via third-round TKO (doctor's stoppage). On Aug 31, 2019, Muslim faced Ilya Shcheglov, at ACA 97 - Krasnodar fight card, where he won by unanimous decision on judges scorecard.

Next year, on March 6, 2020, Muslim third fight for ACA, came against the Brazilian, Carlos Eduardo, at ACA 105 - Almaty. He TKO'd the Brazilian on the third-round of the fight.

And in December of the same year, Muslim had the toughest fight of his pro career so far, against Kabardian fighter Murat Gugov, where he only managed to win by split decision victory on judges scorecard.

For his fifth fight, Muslim was booked to fight the Brazilian, Leonardo Silva de Oliveira, on March 26, 2021 at ACA 120 - Jubileu vs. Bibulatov card ; he defeated the Brazilian via unaimous decision

ACA Light Heavyweight Champion
After string of strong performances, Muslim along with Kazakh fighter, Evgeniy Egemberdiev, were booked to fight for the ACA's World Light Heavyweight Championship belt, left vacated by Turkmen Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, (who left for US-based promotion Bellator MMA), on ACA 126 event, at Sochi, Russia. Muslim defeated Egemberdiev via TKO in the round three of the fight, thereby by becoming the new ACA's Light Heavyweight Champion of the World.

In January 6, 2022, Muslim defended his title against Russian-Armenian fighter Grigor Matevosyan, at ACA 137 - Magomedov vs. Matevosyan event. Muslim took down Matevosyan to the ground, and submitted the Armenian via kimura, in the fourth-round of the fight.

Muslim second title defense came against fellow Russian fighter Oleg Olenichev, at ACA 148 - Magomedov vs. Olenichev event, on Nov 18, 2022. Muslim TKO'd Olenichev in the third-round of the fight.

Personal Life
Muslim, along with his fellow Dagestani Abdulmutalib Gairbekov were awarded Lada Priora cars by Ziyavudin Magomedov of Summa Group for winning golds at WMMAA - 5th World MMA Championships 2017, held at Astana, Kazakhstan. .

On 28 July, 2017, Muslim, along with his Chechen compatriot, Kasum Magomedrasulovich Kasumov were awarded the title of International Master of Sports in MMA, by the Minister of Sport Pavel Kolobkov.

After first winning ACA's Light Heavyweight World Championship belt against Evgeniy Egemberdiev, Muslim thanked his older brother for this achievement-as his older brother is also Muslim's main coach. It should be noted that during the WMMAA tournaments, his (Muslim) head coach was Gennady Pavlovich Kapshay.

Muslim gave his first fight bonus, for an early victory at ACA away to his parents, as he did not know what to with that extra cash.

Championship & Achievements
2017 WMMAA World Champion, Astana (−93 kg)

2018 WMMAA European Champion, Guadalajara (−93 kg)

2017 WMMAA Russian Champion, Rostov-on-Don (−93 kg)

2018 WMMAA Russian Champion, Chelyabinsk (−93 kg)

2017 North Caucasian Federal District Champion, Vladikavkaz (−93 kg)

ACA Light Heavyweight Championship


 * Two successful title defense