Damir Ismagulov

Damir Amangeldyevich Ismagulov (; born February 3, 1991) is a Russian and Kazakh mixed martial artist, who competes in the Lightweight division. He has previously competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and was the former M-1 Global lightweight champion.

Background As a child, he played football, was fond of horseback riding, tried himself in track and field athletics. Subsequently, he moved to Orenburg for permanent residence, enrolling in the Institute of Physical Culture and Sports of the Orenburg State Pedagogical University. As a student, he was engaged in various types of martial arts, fulfilled the standards of a master of sports in universal combat and in army hand-to-hand combat. Since 2011, he practised MMA at the amateur level. In 2014, after winning the Russian Cup, he was awarded the title of Master of Sports in mixed martial arts. Ismagulov is a practising Muslim and is ethnic Kazakh.

Mixed martial arts career M-1 Global Ismagulov was M-1 Global lightweight champion after beating Maxim Divnich in the title bout. After defending the M-1 Lightweight Championship twice, defeating such fighters as Raul Tutarauli and Artem Damkovsky, he signed a contract with the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Ismagulov made promotional debut on December 2, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa against Alex Gorgees. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ismagulov faced Joel Álvarez on February 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ismagulov faced Thiago Moisés on August 31, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 157. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ismagulov faced Rafael Alves on May 22, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ismagulov was expected to face Magomed Mustafaev on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267. However at the weigh-ins, Ismagulov came in at 163.5 pounds, missing weight by 7.5 pounds, the bout was subsequently cancelled by the UFC.

Ismagulov faced Guram Kutateladze on June 18, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 37. He won the close bout via split decision.

Ismagulov faced Arman Tsarukyan on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

On January 1, 2023, Ismagulov announced his retirement on Instagram, citing 'circumstances and health problems'. On January 29, Damir revealed that according to his contract with the UFC, he had one more fight left, so he decided to fight as agreed.

Ismagulov faced Grant Dawson on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On July 20, 2023, it was announced that Ismagulov had completed his contract and was not renewed.

Post UFC Ismagulov was scheduled to face Adriano Martins on September 21, 2024 at "Alash Pride FC 100". However, Martins pulled out for unknown reasons and was replaced by Oberdan Tenório on short notice. Ismagulov won the fight via a spinning kick knockout in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts M-1 Global M-1 Global Lightweight Championship (Three times) 2017 M-1 Global Fighter of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Win

Alan Patrick TKO (punches) Alash Pride 108

Astana, Kazakhstan Win

Oberdan Tenório KO (spinning back kick) Alash Pride 100

Aktobe, Kazakhstan Win

Dimitry Klimov Decision (unanimous) Hardcore MMA 93

Almaty, Kazakhstan Loss

Grant Dawson Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Strickland vs. Magomedov

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Arman Tsarukyan Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Guram Kutateladze Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Emmett

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Rafael Alves Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Thiago Moisés Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang

Shenzhen, China Win

Joel Álvarez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos

Prague, Czech Republic Win

Alex Gorgees Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa

Adelaide, Australia Win

Artem Damkovsky TKO (hand injury) M-1 Challenge 94

Orenburg, Russia Win

Raul Tutarauli Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 88

Moscow, Russia Win

Rogério Matias da Conceição Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 85

Moscow, Russia Win

Maxim Divnich TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 78

Orenburg, Russia Win

Morgan Heraud TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 74

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Murat Bakhtorazov TKO (punches)

Win

Aibek Nurseit TKO (punches)

Win

Temirlan Aysadilov TKO (punches)

Win

Rubenilton Pereira Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 72

Moscow, Russia Win

Ilias Chyngyzbek Decision (unanimous) Naiza FC 6

Aktau, Kazakhstan Win

Raul Tutarauli TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 66

Orenburg, Russia Win

Vyacheslav Ten Submission (rear-naked choke) M-1 Challenge 65

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Gennady Sysoev TKO (submission to punches) Scythian Gold: MMA Fight Night

Orenburg, Russia Win

Javier Fuentes TKO (punches) Orenburg MMA Federation: Scythian Gold 2015

Orenburg, Russia Loss

Ramazan Esenbaev Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 61

Nazran, Russia Win

Pedro Eugenio Granjo TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 59

Astana, Kazakhstan Win

Sergei Andreev Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 57

Orenburg, Russia Win

Faud Aliev Decision (unanimous) Kazakhstan MMA Federation: Battle of Nomads 3

Oral, Kazakhstan Win

Eldar Magomedov TKO (punches) Kazakhstan MMA Federation: Battle of Nomads 2

Almaty, Kazakhstan Win

David Bácskai TKO (punches) Orenburg MMA Federation: Scythian Gold 2014

Orenburg, Russia

Kickboxing record

Professional boxing record