Asu Abaiuly Almabayev (Kazakh: Асу Абайұлы Алмабаев; born January 25, 1994) is a Kazakh professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2013, Almabayev has also competed in M-1 Global, where he is a former Interim M-1 Global Flyweight Champion. As of October 22, 2024, he is #7 in the UFC flyweight rankings.[3]
Almabayev was born on January 25, 1994, in the village of Janatalap in the Sarysu District of the Jambyl Region of Kazakhstan. He was raised by his grandparents until he was ten. At the age of five, he began to train wrestling. When he was in the fifth grade, he and his family moved to Almaty, where he attended other combat sport classes such as karate, boxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[4] While in Almaty, Almabayev worked at a market, where his parents had a small shop. He worked at the market until he was 23. In BJJ, Almabayev became the champion of Kazakhstan and Asia. However, he eventually chose to compete in mixed martial arts after watching it on television while studying in college.[5]
Almabayev made his professional MMA debut against Vadim Buseev on June 1, 2013, at Rod Fighting: Shield and Sword 4. He won the bout via unanimous decision.[6]
After a three-year layoff, Almabayev returned in 2016 and won three early victories in the Alash Pride FC, Tech-Krep FC and Fight Nights Global promotions. In 2017, he suffered his first defeat at Fight Nights Global 58, losing to current UFC fighter Tagir Ulanbekov. Two months later, Almabayev returned to the cage at the Alash Pride FC tournament and suffered a second defeat, losing to Mehman Mamedov. From there, he never lost again, bringing his record to 17–2. Almabayev won the next thirteen victories in a row in the ACB, Alash Pride, Fight Nights Global, Naiza, M-1 Global and Brave Combat Federation organizations.[7]
Almabayev faced Chris Kelades on October 19, 2019, at M-1 Challenge 105 for the Interim M-1 Global Flyweight Championship. He won the bout via unanimous decision.[6]
Almabayev made his Brave Combat Federation debut on August 21, 2021, against Aleksander Doskalchuk at Brave CF 53. He won the bout via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[8]
Almabayev faced Imram Magaramov on March 11, 2022, at Brave CF 57. He won the bout via unanimous decision.[9]
Almabayev faced Zach Makovsky on July 30, 2022, at Brave CF 60. He won the bout via split decision.[10]
Almabayev faced Kenneth Maningat on November 26, 2022, at Brave CF 66. He won via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[11]
Almabayev made his UFC debut against Ode' Osbourne on August 5, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 50.[12] He won the bout via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[13] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[14]
Almabayev faced C.J. Vergara on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299.[15] At the weigh ins, Vergara weighed in at 127 pounds, one pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit, which led the bout to proceed at catchweight with 30 percent of Vergara's purse going to Almabayev.[16] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[17]
Almabayev faced Jose Johnson on June 15, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 58.[18] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[19]
Almabayev faced Matheus Nicolau on October 19, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 245.[20] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[21]
[22]
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