Alexander Shabliy Bio
Alexander Shabliy is a Russian mixed martial artist competing in the Lightweight division of Bellator MMA. Born on April 18, 1993, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, he has built a reputation for his striking skills and resilience inside the cage since beginning his professional career in 2010.
Early Life and Background
Alexander Shabliy was born in Rostov-on-Don to a Russian father and a Dargin mother. His grandfather was a Cossack, an influence he honors in his post-fight speeches. From an early age, Shabliy trained in Shotokan karate, attending classes three times a week while excelling academically. His coach, Belousov Nikolai Pavlovich, played a significant role in guiding him towards mixed martial arts, a path encouraged by his father despite family hardships including a house fire.
Alongside karate, Shabliy expanded his combat skills by training in boxing, Thai boxing, combat sambo, and hand-to-hand combat. These disciplines laid the foundation for his versatile fighting style. He continues to reside in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, where he trains with the Peresvet FT team.
Path to MMA
Shabliy began his professional MMA career in 2010, debuting in the ProFC promotion. Early in his career, he quickly amassed victories through submissions and technical knockouts. Despite suffering a few close losses, including one by split decision, he demonstrated resilience by avenging a loss with a knockout victory over Arsen Ubaidulaev. His success in Russian promotions such as ACB and Fight Nights Global helped him gain experience against tougher competition.
Seeking further development, Shabliy briefly trained with American Top Team in the United States but returned to Russia due to the pandemic. His growing record and skill set eventually led to a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA in 2021.
Alexander Shabliy Career
Early Career (2010–2020)
Shabliy’s early career was marked by rapid success in Russian MMA circuits. He debuted professionally in 2010 and quickly earned wins via submissions and knockouts. His first loss came in 2011 by split decision, but he rebounded with a series of victories. Competing in ProFC, Oplot Challenge, ACB, and Fight Nights Global, he faced increasingly skilled opponents, only being stopped by a few, including Eduard Vartanyan.
During this period, Shabliy also took on roles outside the cage, including becoming director of the ProFC league. His dedication to both fighting and personal development was evident as he pursued a law degree and served as a deputy in the Rostov City Duma.
Bellator MMA Breakthrough (2021–Present)
In February 2021, Alexander Shabliy signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA. He made his promotional debut in May 2021 at Bellator 259, defeating Alfie Davis by unanimous decision. Later that year, he secured another unanimous decision win over Bobby King at Bellator 279.
Shabliy’s first stoppage victory in Bellator came in June 2022 against former Lightweight champion Brent Primus, winning by TKO in the second round. In 2023, he participated in Bellator’s $1 million Lightweight Grand Prix, defeating Tofiq Musayev with a body kick knockout in the quarterfinals and dominating former champion Patricky Pitbull by unanimous decision in the semifinals.
Shabliy was scheduled to face Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator Lightweight Championship in 2024. The bout was postponed due to Nurmagomedov’s injury and later took place in September 2024, where Shabliy lost by unanimous decision.
Peresvet FT Era (2010–Present)
Throughout his career, Alexander Shabliy has trained with Peresvet FT, a team that has supported his development from his early days in Russia to competing on the international stage. His partnership with his coaches and team has been integral to his tactical approach and conditioning.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shabliy is known for his striking prowess, combining technical precision with power, as evidenced by his high number of knockout victories. His background in multiple martial arts disciplines contributes to a versatile fighting style that adapts well to different opponents. His resilience and strategic fight IQ make him a formidable competitor in the Lightweight division.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Shabliy’s career include his Bellator debut victory, his first stoppage win over Brent Primus, and his dominant performances in the 2023 Lightweight Grand Prix. His ability to finish fights and control high-stakes bouts has marked him as a rising star in MMA.
Alexander Shabliy Career Wins
Alexander Shabliy has compiled a professional record of 24 wins and 4 losses. His victories include 12 knockouts, 1 submission, and 3 decision wins, showcasing his finishing ability and versatility inside the cage.
Bellator MMA Highlights
Since joining Bellator MMA in 2021, Shabliy has secured multiple wins, including notable stoppages and decision victories against top Lightweight contenders. His participation in the Lightweight Grand Prix further elevated his profile, with impressive wins over Tofiq Musayev and Patricky Pitbull.
Other Wins & Performances
Before joining Bellator, Shabliy achieved significant success in Russian promotions such as ProFC, ACB, and Fight Nights Global. His early career featured several submission and knockout victories, establishing him as a well-rounded and dangerous fighter.
Alexander Shabliy Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Alexander Shabliy comes from a diverse cultural background with a Russian father and Dargin mother. His grandfather was a Cossack, a heritage he honors publicly. Details about his parents remain private.
Personal Life
Shabliy is married to Maria, and the couple has two sons named Timur and Dima. Alongside his fighting career, he has pursued education in law and serves as a deputy in the Rostov City Duma, balancing professional sports with public service.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Alexander Shabliy was announced as a participant in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Lightweight Tournament. He was scheduled to face Brent Primus in the quarterfinals but withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. Later, Shabliy received a six-month suspension after testing positive for recombinant erythropoietin, sidelining him until September 2025. His return to competition is anticipated following the suspension, with expectations high given his prior performances.