Movsar Magomedovich Evloev Bio
Movsar Magomedovich Evloev is a Russian professional mixed martial artist competing in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born on February 11, 1994, in Ordzhonikidzevskaya, Ingushetia, Russia, Evloev has maintained an undefeated professional record since beginning his career in 2014. He is a former M-1 Global Bantamweight Champion and as of July 15, 2025, holds the #1 ranking in the UFC featherweight division.
Early Life and Background
Movsar Evloev was born in Ordzhonikidzevskaya, Ingushetia, Russia, and belongs to the Ingush teip Youvloy. He earned a degree in computer programming and law, demonstrating a strong academic background alongside his athletic pursuits. Before turning professional in mixed martial arts, Evloev achieved the rank of Master of Sports in Greco-Roman wrestling, reflecting his strong foundation in grappling and combat sports. He is also the cousin of Olympic gold medalist Musa Evloev, highlighting a family lineage of athletic excellence.
Path to MMA
Evloev began his professional MMA career in 2014, initially competing in the Bantamweight division. His early years were marked by rapid development and success in regional promotions, most notably M-1 Global. His wrestling background and disciplined training at Nart Fight Club and American Top Team provided a strong base for his transition into mixed martial arts. These formative years laid the groundwork for his eventual rise to international competition.
Movsar Evloev Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Evloev’s early professional career was spent exclusively with M-1 Global, where he quickly established himself as a dominant force in the Bantamweight division. He captured the interim M-1 Global Bantamweight Championship on April 22, 2017, by knocking out Alexey Nevzorov in the second round. He then unified the title by defeating Pavel Vitruk via unanimous decision on July 22, 2017, solidifying his status as the undisputed champion.
M-1 Global Championship Era (2017–2019)
Following his title unification, Evloev successfully defended the M-1 Global Bantamweight Championship twice. His first defense came in February 2018, where he submitted Sergey Morozov with a rear-naked choke in the third round. Later that year, on July 21, 2018, he retained his belt by knocking out Rafael Dias in the fifth round. In April 2019, Evloev vacated the championship to sign with the UFC, marking a significant step up in competition and exposure.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Era (2019–Present)
Movsar Evloev made his UFC debut on April 20, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik, defeating Seung Woo Choi by unanimous decision. Despite several opponent changes and fight cancellations early in his UFC tenure, Evloev maintained an undefeated streak. Notable victories include unanimous decision wins over Enrique Barzola, Mike Grundy, Hakeem Dawodu, Dan Ige, and Arnold Allen. He earned Fight of the Night honors for his unanimous decision win against Diego Lopes at UFC 288 in May 2023. Evloev continued to demonstrate his dominance by defeating Aljamain Sterling by unanimous decision at UFC 310 in December 2024. As of mid-2025, he remains a top contender in the featherweight division, although an injury forced him to withdraw from a scheduled bout against Aaron Pico in July 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Evloev is known for his well-rounded skill set, combining strong wrestling credentials with effective striking and submission abilities. His Greco-Roman wrestling background provides excellent control and positional dominance, while his strategic approach allows him to adapt to various opponents. Training with Nart Fight Club and American Top Team has enhanced his technical proficiency and fight IQ, making him a versatile and dangerous competitor in the featherweight division.
Notable Events and Milestones
Evloev’s career is marked by an undefeated professional record of 19 wins with no losses. He has secured victories through a mix of decisions, knockouts, and submissions, showcasing his versatility. His tenure as M-1 Global Bantamweight Champion and his rise to the #1 ranked featherweight in the UFC are key milestones. His Fight of the Night performance at UFC 288 and his high-profile win over former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling highlight his status as a leading contender.
Movsar Evloev Career Wins
Movsar Evloev has compiled an undefeated professional record of 19 wins with no losses. His victories include 12 by decision, 3 by knockout, and 4 by submission, reflecting a balanced and effective fighting style across multiple disciplines.
M-1 Global Highlights
During his time in M-1 Global, Evloev won the interim Bantamweight Championship by knocking out Alexey Nevzorov and unified the title with a unanimous decision over Pavel Vitruk. He successfully defended the championship twice, once by submission and once by knockout, before vacating the title to join the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Highlights
Since joining the UFC in 2019, Evloev has maintained an undefeated streak with multiple unanimous decision wins over top contenders. His Fight of the Night performance against Diego Lopes and his victory over Aljamain Sterling stand out as career highlights. He is currently ranked #1 in the UFC featherweight division as of July 2025.
Movsar Evloev Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Movsar Evloev is related to Musa Evloev, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, underscoring a strong family tradition in combat sports. This connection highlights the athletic environment that influenced his development as a professional fighter.
Personal Life
Evloev resides in Sunzha, Ingushetia, Russia. Details about his marital status or children are not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Movsar Evloev continued to be a dominant force in the UFC featherweight division. He was scheduled to face Aaron Pico in July 2025, but had to withdraw due to injury. Despite this setback, Evloev remains the top-ranked featherweight contender, with a strong track record and a multi-fight contract. His future bouts are highly anticipated as he aims to secure a UFC title shot. His training at Nart Fight Club and American Top Team continues to support his development and readiness for elite competition.