Tagir Ulanbekov

Tagir Radzhabovich Ulanbekov (Тагир Раджабович Уланбеков; born July 8, 1991) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is also the former Fight Nights Global Flyweight Champion. Ulanbekov is a one-time world champion, one-time Eurasian champion and one-time European cup winner in combat sambo for his team, SC Bazarganova. As of June 18, 2024, he is #13 in the UFC flyweight rankings.

Background
Tagir Ulanbekov was born to an Avar family on July 8, 1991, in the village of Dylym in the Kazbekovsky District of the Republic of Dagestan.

As a child, Ulanbekov began wrestling after his uncle took him to a wrestling section named after Saypulla Absaidov. When Ulanbekov was 8 years old, he moved to Makhachkala, Dagestan. In Makhachkala, he joined the ranks of Eagles MMA and was coached by Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. There, he trained alongside fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.

Growing up, Tagir worked in the bazaar, helping his mother.

Early career
Ulanbekov won his first career victory over Magomednur Aglarov at the "Liga Kavkaz - Grand Umakhan Battle" tournament. He would go on to win 7 bouts in a row, and won the Fight Night Global Flyweight title, where he submitted Artan Asatryan in the fourth round via guillotine choke at Fight Nights Global 76. Ulanbekov would face defeat for the first time in his career against fellow future UFC fighter Zhalgas Zhumagulov at Fight Nights Global 88, losing the close bout by majority decision. He would then compete under the banner of Gorilla Fighting Championship (Now Eagle FC), where he went 3-0 and captured the GF Flyweight Championship.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ulanbekov was scheduled to face Bruno Gustavo da Silva on September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill. However, due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pairing was rescheduled and took place four weeks later at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen. Ulanbekov won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ulanbekov was scheduled to face Matheus Nicolau on January 24, 2021 at UFC 257. However, Ulanbekov withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. The pairing was eventually rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 187. However, Ulanbekov withdrew from the bout the second time for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Manel Kape.

Ulanbekov was scheduled to face Tyson Nam on June 19, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 25. However, the bout was never officially announced by the promotion and the matchup did not take place on the card due to an undisclosed illness for Ulanbekov.

Ulanbekov faced Allan Nascimento on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267. He won the fight via split decision.

Ulanbekov faced Tim Elliott on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. 12 out of 17 media scores gave it to Ulanbekov.

Ulanbekov was scheduled to face Tyson Nam on June 25, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 38 but pulled out due to undisclosed injury.

Ulanbekov faced Nate Maness on November 5, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 214. He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.

Ulanbekov faced Cody Durden on December 16, 2023, at UFC 296. He won the fight via a face crank submission in the second round.

Ulanbekov was scheduled to face Alex Perez on June 15, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 58. However, the bout was changed and Ulanbekov ended up being scheduled to face Joshua Van at that event instead. In turn, the bout against Van was cancelled when Ulanbekov weighed in at 129.5 pounds, three and a half pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit.

Mixed martial arts

 * Fight Night Global
 * Fight Night Global Flyweight Championship (One time)
 * Gorilla Fighting Championship (Now Eagle FC)
 * GF Flyweight Championship (One time)
 * Two successful title defences

Sambo

 * Russian Combat Sambo Federation (RCSF)
 * Russian Professional Combat Sambo Championship-Samara, Russia (2014) at 57kg
 * European Combat Sambo Federation (ECSF)
 * European Combat Sambo Championship-Kishinev, Moldova (2012) at 57kg
 * European Cup in Combat Sambo among Clubs-Yalta, Crimea (2012) at 57kg representing SC Bazarganova
 * Combat Sambo Eurasia Championship-Yalta, Crimea (2014) at 57kg
 * World Combat Sambo Federation (WCSF)
 * World Combat Sambo Championship-Moscow, Russia (2014) at 57kg