Magomed Magomedkerimov

Magomed Magomedkerimov (; born 1 October 1990) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division of Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Early life Magomed was born in the small Dagestani village of Agvali, with a population of just over 2,000. While in school, he trained in pankration, hand-to-hand combat, and Muay Thai, sports popular in the region. By graduation, he was determined to pursue a career in sports. At 17, he moved to Makhachkala and entered the Sports and Coaching Faculty at the Dagestan State Pedagogical University (DGPU). The following year, he began competing in various tournaments, including world championships.

With a solid foundation in pankration and striking disciplines, Magomedkerimov launched his professional MMA career in 2008. He also competed in world pankration championships in Portugal and Bulgaria, the Russian hand-to-hand combat championship, and the Kudo and Muay Thai championships in Dagestan. By 2010, he had secured three World Championship wins, one European title, a Eurasian Championship title, and several national and regional championships. In MMA, he won two out of his first three fights.

Magomed's native language is Avar, and he is also fluent in Russian. He graduated from DGPU in 2011 with a degree in Sports and Coaching.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Magomed had his first professional fight against Vitaliy Kalynyuk at Trophy Feira 14, which took place on August 22, 2008, which he won via armbar in the first round. Two years later, in November 2010, Magomed fought Viktor Kuzmenko at M-1: Ukrainian Selection 2010 and won the fight with a rear naked choke. Later that same month, at ProFC- Union Nation Cup 10, Magomed faced Taras Pikhnyuk but lost the bout via a heel hook submission.

Since 2011, Magomed began devoting all his attention to developing a career in MMA. At first, he fought in local leagues, sometimes traveling outside the republic, and adding victories over Anatoly Tokov at League S-70: First Round, Gontarev Evgeny and others to his credit. And when his record was 10 wins and only 3 losses, the leaders of Fight Nights drew attention to the fighter. Having spent only one fight there against a little-known Brazilian, Magomedkerimov receives an invitation to the ACB, where he took part in the Grand Prix.

Absolute Championship Berkut In the first round of the ACA Welterweight Grand Prix on March 9, 2014 at Absolute Championship Berkut - Grand Prix Berkut 2, Magomed faced Islam Yashaev, winning the bout 15 seconds into the bout due to doctor stoppage. In the Quarter-Finals, he would face Ibrahim Tibilov at Absolute Championship Berkut - Grand Prix Berkut 5, winning via unanimous decision, then winning his semi-final bout at Absolute Championship Berkut - Grand Prix Berkut 7 against Danyar Babakulov, winning by a second round TKO stoppage.

In the finals, Magomed faced Beslan Isaev on June 22, 2014 at Absolute Championship Berkut - Grand Prix Berkut 9, losing the bout via split decision.

Post ACB After leaving ACB having failed to win the Grand Prix, Magomedkerimov garnered a 3-1 record on the regional scene, winning two of those bouts by first round submission, with the only loss being to future ONE Middleweight World Champion Vitaly Bigdash at ProFC 57 on March 29, 2015, getting submitted in the third round via rear-naked choke.

World Series of Fighting At the end of 2016, he signs a contract with the WSOF. However, having one performance there against Bobby Cooper, and winning by a split decision of the judges, WSOF starts having problems and the company is bought out by new owners who are in no hurry to renew the contract with Magomed. Due to these delays, he was idle for almost 2 years, and as a result, he still got the opportunity to play in the league, only by that time it had been renamed the PFL.

Professional Fighters League

2018 season Magomed made his PFL debut on July 5, 2018, at PFL 3 against Herman Terrado, choking out Terrado at the end of the first round via rear-naked choke.

In his sophomore performance on August 16, 2018, at PFL 6, Magomed faced Bojan Veličkovic, winning the bout via unanimous decision and securing a spot in the playoffs.

On October 20, 2018, Magomedkerimov faced Pavel Kusch at PFL 10. He won the fight via unanimous decision to advance to the semifinals of the playoffs. In the semifinals, Magomedkerimov defeated Bojan Veličkovic in a rematch via technical knockout in the second round to advance to the Welterweight finals.

Magomedkerimov faced Ray Cooper III in the finals at PFL 11 on December 31, 2018. Magomed won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round. In the process, he won the 2018 PFL Welterweight Tournament and $1 million dollar prize.

2019 season To start off the 2019 season on May 9, 2019 at PFL 1, Magomed faced John Howard, winning the bout via guillotine choke at the end of the first round.

In the second regular season bout Magomedkerimov faced Chris Curtis at PFL 4 on July 11, 2019. He won the fight via unanimous decision and advanced to the playoffs.

In the quarterfinals Magomedkerimov faced Curtis in a rematch at PFL 7 on October 11, 2019. Again he won the bout via unanimous decision, However, after their bout Magomedkerimov fell ill.

2021 season Magomedkerimov was scheduled to face João Zeferino on April 29, 2021 at PFL 2, however he was forced to pull out of the bout for unknown reasons.

Magomed faced Curtis Millinder at PFL 5 on June 17, 2021. Magomed won bout via ezekiel choke submission in the first round.

Magomedkerimov was rescheduled against João Zeferino in a Semi-Final match-up at PFL 7 on August 13, 2021, however Zeferino had to pull out and Sadibou Sy took his place. He won the bout via unanimous decision and advanced to the finals.

In finals, Magomed faced Ray Cooper III in rematch at PFL 10 on 27 October 2021. He lost bout after getting knocked out in the third round.

2022 season Magomedkerimov was once again rebooked against João Zeferino on May 6, 2022 at PFL 3, however Magomedkerimov pulled out of the bout due to visa issues and was replaced by Dilano Taylor.

For the fourth time, Magomedkerimov was scheduled to face off against João Zeferino at PFL 6 on July 1, 2022. At weigh-ins, Zeferino didn't weigh in and was replaced in his bout against Magomed Magomedkerimov by Dilano Taylor. Magomedkerimov won the bout via second round TKO stoppage.

Magomed faced Gleison Tibau on November 25, 2022 at PFL 10. He won fight via unanimous decision.

2023 season Magomed started off the 2023 season against Ben Egli on April 14, 2023 at PFL 3. He won the bout in the first round, getting a TKO stoppage via head kick.

Magomed faced David Zawada on June 23, 2023 at PFL 6. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

In the semi-finals, Magomed was originally scheduled to face Magomed Umalatov at PFL 9 on August 23, 2023. However, Umalatov withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Solomon Renfro. Magomed won the fight by unanimous decision.

In the final, Magomed had a rematch with Sadibou Sy on November 24, 2023 at PFL 10. He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the third round to become a two-time PFL season champion. His guillotine choke victory, ultimately won the best finish of the year in PFL, as per fans' vote.

2024 season Magomed was scheduled to face Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson in a 3 round non-title crossover fight on February 24, 2024 at PFL vs. Bellator. However, Magomed withdrew from the bout due to injury in January 2024 and was replaced by PFL 2019 and 2021 winner Ray Cooper III.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Professional Fighters League 2018 PFL Welterweight Championship 2023 PFL Welterweight Championship Fight Matrix 2018 Comeback Fighter of the Year MMA Fighting 2023 Third Team MMA All-Star

Pankration

Winner of the 14th World Championship in pankration of Visei (Portugal), 2008; Winner of the World Championship in pankration in Omsk (Russia), November 13–16, 2009; Winner of the World Championship in Pankration in Varna (Bulgaria), October 5–09, 2010; Winner of the World Cup in Pankration in Baku (Azerbaijan) - 2009; Winner of the European Pankration Championship (Latvia) - 2009.

Army hand-to-hand combat

Winner of the Czech Republic in hand-to-hand combat - 2008; Winner of the international tournament in hand-to-hand fighting, the Cup of “Kasptaysky Boksi” - 2008

Other

Winner of the Thai Championship in Thai boxing - 2008; Winner of the Kudo EP Championship - 2008; Winner of the Eurasia hand-to-hand championship - 2009

Personal life Magomed is married and has two sons.

Mixed martial arts record Win

Sadibou Sy Submission (guillotine choke) PFL 10 (2023)

Washington, D.C., United States Win

Solomon Renfro Decision (unanimous) PFL 9 (2023)

New York City, New York, United States Win

David Zawada TKO (punches) PFL 6 (2023)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Ben Egli TKO (head kick) PFL 3 (2023)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Gleison Tibau Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2022)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Dilano Taylor TKO (punches) PFL 6 (2022)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Loss

Ray Cooper III KO (punches) PFL 10 (2021)

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Sadibou Sy Decision (unanimous) PFL 7 (2021)

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Curtis Millender Submission (Ezekiel choke) PFL 5 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Chris Curtis Decision (unanimous) PFL 7 (2019)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Chris Curtis Decision (unanimous) PFL 4 (2019)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

John Howard Submission (guillotine choke) PFL 1 (2019)

Uniondale, New York, United States Win

Ray Cooper III Submission (guillotine choke) PFL 11 (2018)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Bojan Veličković TKO (punches)

Win

Pavel Kusch Decision (unanimous)

Win

Bojan Veličković Decision (unanimous) PFL 6 (2018)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Herman Terrado Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) PFL 3 (2018)

Washington, D.C., United States Win

Bobby Cooper Decision (split) WSOF 33

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Artem Shokalo Decision (unanimous) Kunlun Fight: Cage Fight Series 4

Astana, Kazakhstan Win

Sayfulla Yakubov Submission (north-south choke) Derbent FC 4

Derbent, Russia Loss

Vitaly Bigdash Submission (rear-naked choke) ProFC 57: New Era

Rostov-on-Don, Russia Win

Khasankhon Baratov Submission (arm-triangle choke) Octagon Fighting Sensation 2

Yaroslavl, Russia Loss

Beslan Isaev Decision (split) ACB 9

Grozny, Russia Win

Danyar Babakulov TKO (punches) ACB 7

Grozny, Russia Win

Ibragim Tibilov Decision (unanimous) ACB 5

Grozny, Russia Win

Islam Yashaev TKO (doctor stoppage) ACB 2

Grozny, Russia Win

Weguimar Xavier TKO (liver shot) Fight Nights Global 22

Moscow, Russia Win

Sayfulla Yakubov Submission (north-south choke) Way Of The Warrior 3

Tambov, Russia Win

Nikolay Karpachov TKO (punches) Emperor Fighting Championship 3

Yaroslavl, Russia Win

Evgeny Gontarev KO (punch) Fight Riot 1

Voronezh, Russia] Win

Thiago Vella TKO (punches) Abu Dhabi Warriors 1

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Adam Khaliev Decision (unanimous) S-70: Plotforma Cup 2012

Sochi, Russia Win

Sergey Faustov Submission (guillotine choke) Derbent FC 3

Magaramkent, Russia Win

Stanislav Molodtsov Decision (split) S-70: Russian Grand Prix 2011 (Stage 4)

Moscow, Russia Win

Anatoly Tokov KO (punch) S-70: Russian Grand Prix 2011 (Stage 1)

Volgograd, Russia Loss

Bakhtiyar Abbasov Submission (rear-naked choke)

Win

Ratmir Karatsukov TKO (punches)

Win

Sergey Shilov KO (punches) Pankration Cup Of Call 2011

Omsk, Russia Loss

Taras Pikhunyk Submission (heel hook) ProFC 20

Yerevan, Armenia Win

Viktor Kuzmenko Submission (rear-naked choke) M-1: Ukrainian Selection 2010

Kiev, Ukraine Win

Vitaly Kalynyuk Submission (armbar) Trofeu Feira 14

Viseu, Portugal