Siyar Bahadurzada

Siyar Bahadurzada (born 17 April 1984) is a retired Afghan-born Dutch mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, making him the first Afghan to compete in the promotion. He currently works as an instructor for Evolve MMA in Singapore. A professional competitor since 2001, he had also competed for World Victory Road, RINGS, and for Shooto, in which he held the title of Shooto Middleweight Champion.

Background
Bahadurzada was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 17 April 1984.

Early career
Bahadurzada trained under the Golden Glory association based in the Netherlands.

Siyar then signed a 4-fight contract with Strikeforce, but like many of the Golden Glory team signed to the organization, his promotional debut was delayed. Siyar gave an interview for Strikeforce, which can be heard on his Facebook profile. Bahadurzada waited for a fight from Strikeforce but never acquired a visa. He later commented in January 2011 on the scenario and expressed displeasure, saying he would never fight for the promotion.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
On 30 September 2011 Siyar announced he had signed with the UFC. He was expected to face Erick Silva on 14 January 2012 at UFC 142. However, Bahadurzada pulled out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by Carlo Prater.

Bahadurzada fought Paulo Thiago on 14 April 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 2 and won by KO at 42 seconds of the first round, earning him Knockout of the Night honors, he became the first man to knock out Thiago.

Bahadurzada was expected to face Thiago Alves on 21 July 2012 at UFC 149, replacing an injured Yoshihiro Akiyama. However, on 1 June Alves pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Chris Clements. Bahadurzada then himself had to withdraw from the fight due to a hand injury, and was replaced with Matthew Riddle.

Bahadurzada faced Dong Hyun Kim on 3 March 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 8. He lost a lopsided decision after he was dominated by the grappling offense and ground and pound of Kim for all three rounds.

Bahadurzada was expected to face Robbie Lawler on 27 July 2013 at UFC on Fox 8, replacing an injured Tarec Saffiedine. However, on 11 July it was announced that Bahadurzada also pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Bobby Voelker.

Bahadurzada faced John Howard on 28 December 2013 at UFC 168. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After over two years away from the sport, Bahadurzada returned to face Brandon Thatch on 5 March 2016 at UFC 196. He won the fight by submission in the third round.

Bahadurzada was scheduled to face Cláudio Silva on 30 July 2016 at UFC 201. However, Silva was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Jorge Masvidal. In turn, Bahadurzada pulled out of the bout on 12 July, citing an illness.

After another year away from competition Bahadurzada was expected to face Abu Azaitar on 2 September 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Struve vs. Volkov. However, Azaitar pulled out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by UFC newcomer Rob Wilkinson. Bahadurzada won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Bahadurzada faced Luan Chagas on 21 April 2018 at UFC Fight Night 128. He won the fight via knockout in the second round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.

Bahadurzada faced Curtis Millender on 29 December 2018 at UFC 232. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bahadurzada was scheduled to face Nordine Taleb on 4 May 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy. However, it was reported on 24 April 2019 that Bahadurzada pulled out of the bout citing injury, and he is replaced by newcomer Kyle Prepolec.

Bahadurzada faced Ismail Naurdiev on 28 September 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 18. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In June 2020, Siyar announced that he was retiring.

Coaching career
On 13 January 2020 Singapore-based mixed martial arts team Evolve MMA announced that Bahadurzada had been appointed as the new head coach.

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Paulo Thiago
 * Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Luan Chagas
 * 2012 Half-Year Awards: Best Newcomer of the 1HY
 * Professional Shooto Japan
 * Shooto Middleweight Championship (One time)
 * Two successful title defenses
 * United Glory
 * 2010/2011 World Series Welterweight Tournament Winner
 * Shooto Holland
 * 2003 Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner