Tag: Damir Ismagulov

VIDEO: Former UFC Lightweight Damir Ismagulov Sleeps Opponent With Brutal Spinning Kick

Damir Ismagulov’s post-UFC tenure is off to a strong start. After already winning his first fight outside the UFC earlier this year, Ismagulov took on Oberdan Tenório at Alash Pride 100. Just a couple of minutes into the contest, Ismagulov landed a devastating spinning kick right on the button, dropping Tenório out cold for the […]

Continue Reading VIDEO: Former UFC Lightweight Damir Ismagulov Sleeps Opponent With Brutal Spinning Kick at MMA News.

Damir Ismagulov’s post-UFC tenure is off to a strong start.

After already winning his first fight outside the UFC earlier this year, Ismagulov took on Oberdan Tenório at Alash Pride 100.

Just a couple of minutes into the contest, Ismagulov landed a devastating spinning kick right on the button, dropping Tenório out cold for the win.

Damir Ismagulov Improves To 2-0 Since Departing UFC With Jaw-Dropping Kick

After a 19-1 run to start his career, which included winning the Alash Pride Lightweight Tournament in 2016 and the M-1 Global lightweight championship in 2017, Ismagulov signed with the UFC.

The Kazakh lightweight made his UFC debut in Australia in December 2018, defeating Alex Gorgees. He won his first five Octagon bouts, which also included wins against Joel Álvarez, Thiago Moisés, and Rafael Alves.

Ismagulov, however, lost to Arman Tsarukyan in December 2022. He initially announced his retirement on January 1, 2023, but later fought out his UFC contract with a loss to Grant Dawson that July.

The former ranked UFC contender returned to competition in July of this year, scoring a decision over Dimitry Klimov.

Continue Reading VIDEO: Former UFC Lightweight Damir Ismagulov Sleeps Opponent With Brutal Spinning Kick at MMA News.

Damir Ismagulov delays MMA retirement

Damir Ismagulov, Arman Tsarukyan, UFCDamir Ismagulov has ended his month-long retirement.  On Instagram, the UFC lightweight announced his intentions to unretire after finding out that he has one more fight left in his contract. He shared that he wants to fight at least one more time and called out his recent opponent Arman Tsarukyan.  “Recently, [my manager Sayat Abdrakhmanov] […]

Damir Ismagulov, Arman Tsarukyan, UFC

Damir Ismagulov has ended his month-long retirement. 

On Instagram, the UFC lightweight announced his intentions to unretire after finding out that he has one more fight left in his contract. He shared that he wants to fight at least one more time and called out his recent opponent Arman Tsarukyan. 

“Recently, [my manager Sayat Abdrakhmanov] informed me that I have one more fight left under my contract with @ufc . There were many offers from other leagues where fees were way higher and you could go in there and make money, but I came to @ufc not for the money but for the legacy, to prove to myself that I can compete against the strongest fighters! I finished my career, but after finding out I had another fight under my contract, I decided to go back and finish it! We accept to repay our debts! In the ultimate fight I lost to [Arman Tsarukyan] who is one of the strongest lightweight fighters in @ufc his fight is really on a good level! I would have let go of this moment if I knew I did everything I could and still lost. I think we can show the fight a lot better, more spectacular than 5 rounds or 3 doesn’t matter! We promised the fans to finish our fight early! @danawhite @sayatus @seanshelby revenge for us. Let’s hold the last battle with fireworks.”

Damir Ismagulov Wants To Redeem His Only UFC Loss

Ismagulov lost by unanimous decision to Tsarukyan last month at UFC Vegas 66. A couple weeks later, he announced his retirement and cited health problems as the reason. 

Now, the 31-year-old is looking to finish his career on his own terms. Before his recent loss, he was on a five-fight unbeaten streak. He holds a 24-2 record with 13 finishes in mixed martial arts.

Damir Ismagulov forced to retire due to hazardous health concerns at just 31

Damir IsmagulovOne of the UFC’s most prolific prospects, Damir Ismagulov, has just been forced to retire due to hazardous health concerns. The Kazakhstan mixed martial artist entered the UFC on an insane win streak and continued to extend it upon his arrival. Getting his start in promotions like M-1 Challenge and Alaska Pride FC, Ismagulov entered […]

Damir Ismagulov

One of the UFC’s most prolific prospects, Damir Ismagulov, has just been forced to retire due to hazardous health concerns. The Kazakhstan mixed martial artist entered the UFC on an insane win streak and continued to extend it upon his arrival.

Getting his start in promotions like M-1 Challenge and Alaska Pride FC, Ismagulov entered the promotion holding a lofty 19-1 record. The Kazakhstan savage would go on to win five straight fights in a UFC win streak that would last from 2018 to 2022.

His last bout against Arman Tsarukyan would result in his first UFC loss. In a hard-fought match, the two would battle to a decision, where Tsarukyan would be crowned the victor following a unanimous decision.

Health concerns cause Damir Ismagulov to retire

This leads us to the present day, where the word has broken that the young Kazakhstan prospect is being forced into retirement due to hazardous and unforeseen health concerns.

Damir Ismagulov broke the news himself on Instagram, saying: “Unfortunately, due to circumstances and health problems, I am forced to end my sports career.”

“Thanks to all those who were with me regardless of the outcome in battles,” he continued. “Who were sincerely sick and worried. It was an interesting journey, a moment to remember. Gave everyone a hug.”

Unfortunately, word of the exact health issues Ismagulov is experiencing has not yet been released to the public. One could only imagine it must be extremely serious if it were to end his young and prospering career in such a way. Although fans never got to see him win a UFC title, the man entered the world’s premier organization and made mince meat of his competition. He will sadly end on a loss, but Arman Tsarukyan is no easy opponent, and there’s no word if the health problems Ismagulov is battling affected him in that fight.

Do you think there’s a chance we may see Damir Ismagulov back in action one day?

UFC Lightweight Contender Abruptly Announces Retirement

As 2023 begins and people look ahead to a fresh start, UFC lightweight Damir Ismagulov is making a radical life change. Ismagulov’s second professional MMA loss came against Arman Tsarukyan just weeks ago at UFC Vegas 66. The unanimous decision d…

As 2023 begins and people look ahead to a fresh start, UFC lightweight Damir Ismagulov is making a radical life change. Ismagulov’s second professional MMA loss came against Arman Tsarukyan just weeks ago at UFC Vegas 66. The unanimous decision defeat came after a 5-0 run in the UFC Octagon, featuring wins over Guram Kutateladze…

Continue Reading UFC Lightweight Contender Abruptly Announces Retirement at MMA News.

MMA Twitter Reacts To Arman Tsarukyan Outlasting Damir Ismagulov At UFC Vegas 66

Arman Tsarukyan got back into the win column with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Damir Ismagulov at UFC Vegas 66 tonight. Tsarukyan’s outwrestled Ismagulov for much of the co-main event encounter, taking him down repeatedly and search…

Arman Tsarukyan got back into the win column with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Damir Ismagulov at UFC Vegas 66 tonight. Tsarukyan’s outwrestled Ismagulov for much of the co-main event encounter, taking him down repeatedly and searching for submissions. The win means the Armenian is now back on track to continue his surge through…

Continue Reading MMA Twitter Reacts To Arman Tsarukyan Outlasting Damir Ismagulov At UFC Vegas 66 at MMA News.

Arman Tsarukyan believes he is a win away from a rematch with Islam Makhachev: “I gave him the toughest fight in his career.”

Arman TsarukyanNo. 9 ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan believes he is the man that can beat new UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Arman Tsarukyan will be back in action this Saturday night as he returns to The APEX in Las Vegas for a co-main event clash with Damir Ismagulov. Speaking to reporters at the UFC Fight […]

Arman Tsarukyan

No. 9 ranked lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan believes he is the man that can beat new UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Arman Tsarukyan will be back in action this Saturday night as he returns to The APEX in Las Vegas for a co-main event clash with Damir Ismagulov. Speaking to reporters at the UFC Fight Night media event on Wednesday, Tsarukyan shared his belief that he is the only man that can potentially beat Makhachev inside the Octagon.

“Islam is on a different level,” said Tsarukyan. “His wrestling is good; his striking is good. I know one guy who can beat him: It’s me.”

Arman Tsarukyan Wants Rematch With Islam Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan previously met Islam Makhachev during his promotional debut back in April 2019. The Armenian lightweight came up short, losing to Makhachev via unanimous decision. Believing he gave the current 155-pound king the biggest test of his MMA career, Tsarukyan wants another crack at Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s protege.

“If I’m gonna beat Damir and some of the top five, the UFC is gonna give me that opportunity (against Makhachev), because it was my debut, and I gave him the toughest fight in his career.”

First, Arman Tsarukyn will need to get past streaking lightweight Damir Ismagulov. ‘Qazaq’ has not experienced a defeat since 2015. Debuting inside the Octagon in 2018, Ismagulov, now sitting in the No. 12 spot on the lightweight rankings, has earned five straight under the UFC banner. A victory on Saturday night will likely push him into the division’s top 10, taking Tsarukyan’s No. 9 spot.

On the other hand, Tsarukyan is coming off his first loss in more than three years, dropping a unanimous decision to Mateusz Gamrot in June. In order to stay relevant in the lightweight title picture, Tsarukyan will need to deliver a strong showing against the always-dangerous Ismagulov.