Ilkhom Nozimov

Ilkhom Nozimov (born 27 March 1995) is an Uzbekistani and Russian mixed martial artist who competes in the Rizin Fighting Federation, where he is a former Rizin Lightweight Champion.

Background Born in Magnitogorsk, Nozimov became fascinated with mixed martial arts by watching Mirko Cro Cop's Pride matches with his brother and began taking up combat sports at the age of six. He then gained experience in various martial arts, including boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, combat sambo, and street fighting, before becoming a mixed martial artist. He made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2015.

Mixed martial arts career Early career In his early bouts, Nozimov primarily fought in Russia and later UAE Warriors of the United Arab Emirates. He amassed a record of 9–3 prior to being signed by Rizin.

Rizin Nozimov made his Rizin debut at Rizin Landmark 7 on 4 November 2023, where he faced Jaures Dea. He won the bout by unanimous decision.

Nozimov faced Sora Yamamoto at Rizin 46 on 29 April 2024. He won the bout by TKO in the second round. During the fight against Yamamoto, Nozimov tore a knee ligament and underwent surgery, resulting in a long absence of about one year and two months.

Nozimov faced Suguru Nii at Rizin Landmark 11 on 14 June 2025. He won the bout by knockout in the first round with a kick to the jaw.

Rizin Lightweight Champion Nozimov faced Roberto de Souza for the Rizin lightweight title at Rizin: Shiwasu no Cho Tsuwamono Matsuri on 31 December 2025, replacing Shunta Nomura. He won the bout by KO in the first round to win the title.

Nozimov faced Luiz Gustavo on 10 May 2026, at Rizin 53. He lost the title by knockout in the first round.

Personal life During the pre-fight press conference for Rizin: The December Super Strongman Festival, held in December 2025, Nozimov revealed that his absolute favorite food is tuna-mayonnaise onigiri, stating that he has eaten 20 to 30 of them a day. He continued to eat tuna-mayonnaise onigiri even while sightseeing in Tokyo after the match.

Championships and accomplishments Rizin Fighting Federation Rizin Lightweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Luiz Gustavo KO (punches) Rizin 53

Kobe, Japan Win

Roberto de Souza KO (knee) Rizin: Shiwasu no Cho Tsuwamono Matsuri

Saitama, Japan Win

Suguru Nii KO (front kick) Rizin Landmark 11

Sapporo, Japan Win

Sora Yamamoto TKO (elbows and punches) Rizin 46

Tokyo, Japan Win

Jaures Dea Decision (unanimous) Rizin Landmark 7

Baku, Azerbaijan Loss

Rustem Kudaibergenov KO (punch) UAE Warriors 39

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Khazar Rustamov Submission (guillotine choke) UAE Warriors 34

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Sergey Klyuev TKO (retirement) Eagle FC 34

Krasnodar, Russia Win

Viktor Mitkov Decision (unanimous) Tyumen Extreme Sports Expo 2019

Tyumen, Russia Win

Sevak Arekalyan Decision (unanimous) WCSA Combat Ring 29

Magnitogorsk, Russia Win

Vadim Savin TKO (punches) I.M. Poddubnogo Sports Club: Confrontation 3

Krasnoyarsk, Russia Win

Dmitry Shulgin Submission (choke) WCSA Combat Ring 25

Ufa, Russia Win

Kayratbek Imarov Submission (guillotine choke) N1 Championship of Contact Unions 2

Shadrinsk, Russia Loss

Yuriy Virchakov Submission (rear-naked choke) Modern Fighting Pankration 215

Ufa, Russia Win

Ali Rayimzhonov TKO (punches) WCSA Combat Ring 23

Ufa, Russia Win

Vyacheslav Dimov TKO (punches) U-Fight: Mixshow Dynamite

Magnitogorsk, Russia Loss

Ruslan Khisamutdinov Submission (rear-naked choke) WCSA Combat Ring 13

Magnitogorsk, Russia