Sergey Morozov

Sergey Morozov (; born June 14, 1989) is a Kazakhstani former mixed martial artist who competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Morozov is the former M-1 Bantamweight Champion.

Background Having played football since the age of seven years old, he enrolled in the Youth Sports School, studied there, played until the age of 17. Then, at the age of 17, he joined the Aktobe-Zhas team, which played in the First League. He played there for two seasons, before leaving because of character issues.

In December 2021, Morozov converted to Islam.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Starting his professional career in 2008, Morozov compiled a 16-4 record, spending most of his time on the Russian regional scene, with most off his bouts coming with M-1 Global Challenge, where he spent five years and is the former M-1 Bantamweight Champion. In his attempt for the championship against Movsar Evloev on February 22, 2018 at M-1 Challenge 88, losing by rear-naked choke in the third round. After winning the next three bouts, he captured the championship against Aleksandr Osetrov at M-1 Challenge 102, winning by TKO in the third round. He defended the title against Josh Rettinghouse at M-1 Challenge 105, winning the bout via unanimous decision. The pairing was then rescheduled for UFC 257 on January 24, 2021. However, the bout was yet again rescheduled the second time on January 20, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny. Morozov lost the fight via fight via submission in round two.

His second fight in UFC was scheduled on July 17, 2021, facing Khalid Taha at UFC on ESPN 26. He won the fight via unanimous decision. After dominating the first round, Morozov was choked unconscious via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. The bout earned the Fight of the Night bonus award.

Morozov faced Raulian Paiva on June 25, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 38. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Morozov faced Journey Newson on December 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 216. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

In March 2023, Morozov's manager announced that the fighter had retired from competition.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) MMAjunkie.com 2022 February Fight of the Month vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade

Mixed martial arts record Win

Journey Newson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Raulian Paiva Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Douglas Silva de Andrade Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 271

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Khalid Taha Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Umar Nurmagomedov Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Magny vs. Chiesa

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Josh Rettinghouse Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 105

Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan Win

Aleksandr Osetrov TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 102

Astana, Kazakhstan Win

Bakhytbek Duyshobay Uulu KO (punches) M-1 Challenge 100

Atyrau, Kazakhstan Win

Bair Shtepin Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 98

Chelyabinsk, Russia Win

Zaka Fatullazade TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 95

Nazran, Russia Loss

Movsar Evloev Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) M-1 Challenge 88

Moscow, Russia Win

Luan Fernandes TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 83

Kazan, Russia Win

Fabricio Sarraff Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 76

Nalchik, Russia Loss

Josh Rettinghouse KO (punches) M-1 Challenge 73

Nazran, Russia Win

Yoon Jin Lee Decision (unanimous) KZMMAF: Battle of Nomads 9

Hwasun, South Korea Win

Rafael Dias Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 69

Targim, Russia Loss

Pavel Vitruk Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 64

Moscow, Russia Win

Andy Young TKO (spinning backfist and punches) M-1 Challenge 59

Astana, Kazakhstan Win

Zafar Salimov Submission (rear-naked choke) KZMMAF: Battle of Nomads 4

Khujand, Tajikistan Win

Bogar Klos TKO (punches) KZMMAF: Battle of Nomads 3

Oral, Kazakhstan Win

Andranik Karapetyan Submission (rear-naked choke) Professional Combat Samb: Eurasian Economic Union

Omsk, Russia Win

Rijirigala Amu TKO (knee and punches) M-1 Challenge 53

Beijing, China Win

Mirat Bekishev KO (punches) Astana Fight Club 2

Astana, Kazakhstan Win

Andrey Mikhailov Submission Profi Mix Fight Championship 2

Nizhny Novgorod, Russia