Shamil Abdurakhimov

Shamil Gentovich Abdurakhimov (born September 2, 1981) is a Russian mixed martial artist, who is currently fighting in the heavyweight division. He formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background
Abdurakhimov was born on September 2, 1981, in Kuyada village, Gunibsky District, Dagestan in a family of Avar descent. He started training in Sanshou, Boxing and Freestyle wrestling in primary school. After his military service he became a Sanshou national champion in Russia.

Abu Dhabi Fighting Championship
On May 14, 2010, at ADFC: Battle of the Champions, he fought Jeff Monson and won via majority decision.

Abdurakhimov fought Sokoudjou on October 22, 2010, at ADFC: Round 2. He won via TKO (punches) in the third round.

In his last fight with the ADFC, Abdurakhimov faced Marcos Oliveira at ADFC: Round 3. He won via TKO (punches) in the first round. The win also earned him the ADFC heavyweight belt and one million dirham ($272,000).

Ultimate Fighting Championship
On January 15, 2015, he signed a contract with the UFC.

In his debut, Abdurakhimov faced Timothy Johnson on April 4, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 63 He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Abdurakhimov faced Anthony Hamilton on February 21, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 83. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Abdurakhimov next faced Walt Harris on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96. He won the fight via split decision.

Abdurakhimov faced Derrick Lewis on December 9, 2016, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 102. After winning the first three rounds, he lost the fight by TKO in the fourth round.

Abdurakhimov faced Chase Sherman on 25 November 2017 at UFC Fight Night 122. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Abdurakhimov faced Andrei Arlovski on September 15, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 136. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Abdurakhimov faced Marcin Tybura on April 20, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 149. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Abdurakhimov faced Curtis Blaydes on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Abdurakhimov was scheduled to face Ciryl Gane on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249. However, on March 5, 2020, it was announced that Gane was forced to pull out from the event due to struck by pneumothorax during one of his trainings. The bout was eventually rescheduled for July 11, 2020, at UFC 251. Subsequently, the pairing was cancelled a second time and scrapped from this event in mid-June as Abdurakhimov was removed from the bout for undisclosed reasons. The pair was rescheduled on September 26, 2020, at UFC 253. However, the bout was rescheduled again to UFC Fight Night 180 on October 18, 2020. The bout fell through once again as Abdurakhimov pulled out due to undisclosed reasons on September 28, 2020, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Ante Delija.

Abdurakhimov was scheduled to face Augusto Sakai on May 1, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 23. However, Abdurakhimov was removed from the bout in mid-April due to alleged visa issues that restricted his travel.

Abdurakhimov was scheduled to face Chris Daukaus at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw, but the matchup was removed from that card on July 19 due to COVID-19 protocols within Abdurakhimov's camp. The pair remained intact and was scheduled at UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland on July 31, 2021. However, the bout was postponed for unknown reasons to UFC 266. Abdurakhimov lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Abdurakhimov was scheduled to face Tom Aspinall on March 19, 2022, at  UFC Fight Night 204. However, Aspinall was pulled from the bout and he was replaced by Sergei Pavlovich. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Abdurakhimov was scheduled to face Jailton Almeida on September 10, 2022, at UFC 279. However, Abdurakhimov was forced to withdraw due to visa issues. The pair was rescheduled for UFC 280 on October 22, 2022. With that date also falling through, the pair was re-booked for a third time at UFC 283. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.

After the loss, it was announced that Abdurakhimov was no longer on the UFC roster.

Mixed Martial Arts

 * Abu Dhabi Fighting Championship
 * ADFC World Heavyweight Champion

Sanshou

 * Russian Sanshou Federation
 * Five Time Russian National Champion