Assu Almabayev Bio
Asu Abaiuly Almabayev, known professionally by his ring name Zulfikar, is a Kazakh professional mixed martial artist born on January 25, 1994. He competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), one of the most respected promotions in the sport. A professional since 2013, Almabayev built his reputation through regional promotions before earning a place on the UFC roster. As of early 2026, he is recognized as one of the top contenders in the flyweight class.
Early Life and Background
Asu Abaiuly Almabayev was born in the small village of Janatalap in the Sarysu District of the Jambyl Region of Kazakhstan. After his parents moved, he was raised by his grandparents during his earliest years. At the age of five, Almabayev began training in wrestling, which introduced him to the discipline and physical conditioning that would later shape his fighting career.
When he was in the fifth grade, Almabayev and his family relocated to Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. There, he broadened his combat sports education by training in karate, boxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He also worked at a local market where his parents operated a small shop, an experience he maintained until the age of 23. In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Almabayev rose to become a champion of both Kazakhstan and Asia before choosing to pursue mixed martial arts after watching the sport on television during his college years.
Path to MMA
Almabayev’s journey to professional mixed martial arts began with a debut on June 1, 2013, when he faced Vadim Buseev at Rod Fighting: Shield and Sword 4. He won that first bout by unanimous decision, signaling a strong foundation in the sport. After a three-year break from competition, he returned in 2016 and strung together a series of victories in regional promotions including Alash Pride FC, Tech-Krep FC, and Fight Nights Global.
In 2017, Almabayev faced his first two career defeats, both against opponents who would later join the UFC. Rather than slowing him down, those losses served as motivation, as he went on to win his next thirteen consecutive fights across several major organizations. His growing resume included stops in ACB, Alash Pride, Fight Nights Global, Naiza, M-1 Global, and Brave Combat Federation, where he established himself as a top-tier flyweight prospect. He later joined the DAR Pro Team in Almaty, the gym where he continues to train today.
Assu Almabayev Career
Early Career (2013-2018)
Almabayev’s early professional years were defined by steady development across the regional MMA scene. His debut victory in 2013 marked the beginning of a long climb, and after a three-year layoff he returned sharper and more experienced. Between 2016 and 2018, he competed in multiple regional promotions, building a versatile record that showcased his wrestling base, his evolving striking, and his high-level grappling skills.
Two losses in 2017 tested his resolve, but he responded with an impressive thirteen-fight winning streak that stretched across multiple organizations. Those early battles helped him refine the well-rounded skill set that would eventually attract the attention of major international promotions.
M-1 Global Title Run (2019)
On October 19, 2019, Almabayev faced veteran Chris Kelades at M-1 Challenge 105 for the Interim M-1 Global Flyweight Championship. He won the bout by unanimous decision, earning the most significant title of his early career and cementing his status as an elite flyweight on the global stage.
Brave Combat Federation Breakthrough (2021-2022)
Almabayev made his Brave Combat Federation debut on August 21, 2021, against Aleksander Doskalchuk at Brave CF 53. He won by rear-naked choke submission in the second round, a finish that highlighted his dangerous ground game. He followed that performance with a unanimous decision win over Imram Magaramov at Brave CF 57 in March 2022.
Later in 2022, Almabayev took a split decision victory over Zach Makovsky at Brave CF 60 and submitted Kenneth Maningat via rear-naked choke at Brave CF 66. Those four consecutive wins against quality opposition established him as one of the most consistent performers in the flyweight division and set the stage for his eventual UFC signing.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2023-Present)
Almabayev made his UFC debut on August 5, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 50 against Ode’ Osbourne. He won by rear-naked choke submission in the second round, a performance that earned him the Promotion’s Performance of the Night award. The victory announced his arrival on the sport’s biggest stage.
He continued his strong form in 2024, defeating C.J. Vergara by unanimous decision at UFC 299, Jose Johnson by unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 58, and Matheus Nicolau by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 245. On March 1, 2025, he was scheduled to face Steve Erceg at UFC Fight Night 253, but the bout was reshuffled to a main event against Manel Kape. Almabayev lost that fight by technical knockout in the third round after a disputed eye poke sequence. He bounced back on July 26, 2025, at UFC on ABC 9, defeating replacement opponent Jose Ochoa by unanimous decision, and on November 22, 2025, he submitted former title challenger Alex Perez via guillotine choke in the third round at UFC Fight Night 265. A scheduled February 2026 bout against Brandon Moreno was postponed due to a hand injury, and he is currently slated to face Charles Johnson on June 27, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 280.
Style and Strengths
Almabayev is known for his well-rounded approach, combining a strong wrestling background with elite-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu and steadily improving striking. His ten career submission wins reflect a ground game built on tenacious control and creative finishing instincts. Fighting out of an orthodox stance with a 165-centimeter reach, he uses pressure, positioning, and cardio to overwhelm opponents across multiple rounds.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Almabayev’s signature moments are his Interim M-1 Global Flyweight Championship victory over Chris Kelades, his UFC debut submission win that earned Performance of the Night honors, and his guillotine choke finish of former title challenger Alex Perez. His thirteen-fight winning streak from 2017 to 2021 remains one of the most impressive runs of his career.
Assu Almabayev Career Wins
Asu Abaiuly Almabayev has compiled a professional record of 23 wins against 3 losses, with victories earned by knockout, submission, and decision. His finishing ability is highlighted by ten submission wins, which make him one of the more dangerous ground fighters in the flyweight division.
UFC Highlights
Almabayev has won six of his seven UFC appearances. His first UFC victory came via second-round rear-naked choke over Ode’ Osbourne in August 2023, and he added unanimous decision wins over C.J. Vergara, Jose Johnson, and Matheus Nicolau in 2024. Most recently, he submitted Alex Perez with a third-round guillotine choke in November 2025.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Almabayev captured the Interim M-1 Global Flyweight Championship by defeating Chris Kelades in 2019. He also posted four consecutive victories in Brave Combat Federation between 2021 and 2022, adding important statement wins to his resume on the international circuit.
Assu Almabayev Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Almabayev’s immediate family remain limited. He was raised by his grandparents in the village of Janatalap before moving to Almaty with his parents, who ran a small shop at a local market where Almabayev also worked during his teenage years.
Personal Life
Almabayev currently resides in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he trains out of the DAR Pro Team. He keeps his personal relationships private, and no verified public information is available regarding a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Asu Abaiuly Almabayev’s 2025 campaign featured a mix of setbacks and statement victories. His year began with a March headlining loss to Manel Kape at UFC Fight Night 253, a bout defined by an unfortunate eye-poke sequence that altered the fight’s outcome. The defeat was a rare blemish on an otherwise consistent resume.
Almabayev rebounded quickly, dominating replacement opponent Jose Ochoa over three rounds at UFC on ABC 9 in July to get back in the win column. Later in the year, he produced one of his most impressive UFC performances by submitting former title challenger Alex Perez with a third-round guillotine choke at UFC Fight Night 265 in November.
Heading into 2026, Almabayev remains ranked among the top flyweights in the world and is widely viewed as a future title contender. With a scheduled bout against Charles Johnson on the horizon, he is positioned to make another strong push toward a shot at the UFC Flyweight Championship.