Draft:Timur Khizriev

Timur Khizriev

Background
Timur Khizriev or "Imam" as he is colloquially known, began his martial arts journey via wrestling at the age of nine years; that leaden path in combat sport eventually lead him to becoming two-time champion of Russia in Wushu Sanda. Besides Sanda, he has also trained in other martial art disciplines like ARB, boxing & combat sambo. Timur shifted his focus to the world of MMA fully, as a teenager (18 years old). He is a product of page-oner MMA gyms like DagFighter and American Top Team.

Early career
Native of Dagestan, Timur Khizriev who is better known by his nickname "Imam," began his pro MMA career on August 30, 2014; at the young of 18 years old, where he defeated his fellow countryman, Roman Kishev at the Severo-Kavkazsky Federal Okrug - SKFO-Championships. In that same year, he fought in the CSDF League, after which he took a three-year break from pro MMA scene.

During his first four years as a pro, he fought in small cages in various promotions in his homeland. However, Khizriev had the opportunity fight to under the banner of Mairbek Khasiev's MMA organization ACB in 2019, whom he fought for four times. He also took part in ACB's Grand Prix at featherweight division, where he beat Chechen grappler Yusup-Khadzhi Zubariev in semi-final. To top it off for his time at ACB, he manage to win the Grand Prix title, after defeating adroit Circassian talent, Bibert "Headhunter" Tumenov, in the final.

Khizriev second-last fight in local MMA scene came against Alexander Belikh whom he defeated via unanimous decision. His final fight in Russian MMA circuit came against Kyrgyz brawler, Ruslan "Groznyi" Ryskul, whom the Imam finished off Ryskul via guillotine choke in the first round of the fight. After this, Khizriev signed for paramount combat promotion, Bellator MMA.

Bellator MMA
In November 18, 2022, Khizriev made his debut for premiere combat promotion Bellator MMA, by replacing his comrade Akhmed Magomedov, against German legend Daniel "Drake" Weichel, who was ranked 5th at the time, in the main card of Bellator 288: Nemkov vs. Anderson 2 at Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, United States. Khizriev defeated the Deutsch fighter Weichel via unanimous decision in all three judges scorecard.

In his second fight for Bellator MMA, he was scheduled to face off against Irish BJJ black belt, Richie Smullen on June 16, 2023, at Postliminary card of Bellator 297: Nemkov vs. Romero. He defeated the Irish grappler Smullen via 30-27 unanimous decision.

On November 17, 2023, Khizriev had the opportunity to fight in last ever Bellator event under Viacom's management, against the American Justin "J-Train" Gonzales on the prelims of Bellator 301: Amosov vs. Jackson card at Wintrust Arena, in the city of Chicago, Illinois. The Imam defeated the J-Train Gonzales via dominating 30-27 unanimous decision in all three judges scorecard.

Professional Fighters League (PFL)
In April 19, 2024, Khizriev made his debut for major MMA promotion PFL against Brett "The Pikey" Johns of Wales on the prelims of PFL 3: Koreshkov vs. Umalatov card at at Wintrust Arena, in the city of Chicago, Illinois, United States. He defeated "The Pikey" Johns via unanimous decision in a vying battle.

In 28 June, 2024 Khizriev was booked to fight against Peruvian veteran, Enrique "El Fuerte" Barzola on PFL 6: Loughnane vs. Gonzales card, on Sanford Pentagon Stadium, in the city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. He defeated the Peruvian martial artist Barzola via unanimous decision.

Personal life
Timur is a devout Muslim. He was even fasting during the Islamic month of Ramazan, despite the fact he was scheduled to battle against the Welsh grappler, Brett "The Pikey" Johns on PFL 3: Koreshkov vs. Umalatov card.

Timur is the younger brother of UFC's middleweight prospect Aliaskhab “The Black Wolf” Khizriev; who currently like his younger brother Timur has unbeaten record of 14-0. Both him and elder brother are part of conspicuous MMA gym ATT at Coconut Creek, Florida.

He also has a younger brother Gamid Shamilovich Khizriev (born May 16, 2022) who has fought in MMA promotion, Fight Nights Global (FNG) of Russia. Gamid who himself is team member of DagFighter has earned two bronze medals in Soyuz MMA (2020 at lightweight; 2022 at welterweight) and one gold at Moscow Pankration Tournament.

Before joining ATT, Timur was initially part of paramount gym Jackon Wink MMA Academy, where he had the opportunity to train with MMA veterans like Jon "Bones" Jones there.

Back at Dagestan he is part of famed gym DagFighter where he is teammates with venerable martial artist Zabit "ZaBeast" Magomedsharipov. His main coach at DagFighter gym are Timur "Lucky" Valiev and Mansur Uchakaev.

Timur Shamilovich Khizriev nickname is Imam. The origin of this nickname Imam perchance be a nod to the venerable North Caucasian resistance leader, Imam Shamil.

Despite having extensive career at Wushu Sanda, Timur also had upto 80 battles as an amateur in the field of combat sambo.