Askar Askarov Explained

Askar Askarov
Native Name:Аскар Аскаров
Other Names:Bullet
Birth Name:Askar Saypulayevich Askarov[1]
Birth Date:9 October 1992
Birth Place:Kamysh-Kutan, Akhvakhsky District, Dagestan, Russia
Weight:125lb
Weight Class:Flyweight
Reach:67 in[2]
Style:Freestyle wrestling, Sambo
Stance:Orthodox[3]
Fighting Out Of:Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia
Team:Fighting Eagles
Rank:International Master of Sports of Russia in Freestyle Wrestling
Master of Sports of Russia in Combat Sambo
Years Active:2013–present
Mma Kowin:4
Mma Subwin:7
Mma Decwin:4
Mma Decloss:1
Mma Draw:1
Sherdog:149255

Askar Saypulayevich Askarov (Russian: Аскар Сайпулаевич Аскаров;[1] born October 9, 1992) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler who competes in the Flyweight division of Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA). A professional mixed martial artist since 2013, Askarov previously competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB), where he is a former ACB Flyweight Champion. Askarov is also a 2017 Summer Deaflympics 61 kg freestyle wrestling gold medalist. He is ranked #8 in the ACA flyweight rankings.[4]

Personal life

Askarov was born to an Akhvakh family on 9 October 1992, in the village of Kamysh-Kutan in the Akhvakhsky District of Dagestan, an autonomous republic within the Russian Federation.[1]

Askarov was born deaf, and though his hearing has improved, he can only hear approximately 20% of the sounds most people can, meaning he cannot hear instructions from his team during a fight.[5] Askarov has represented Russia as part of the national deaf wrestling team, including at the Summer Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey in 2017, where he won a gold medal.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Askarov made his professional MMA debut in Russia in July 2013, against a fellow debutante in Shamil Amirov. He won the fight by a rear naked choke in the second round. In his second fight, he fought another debuting fighter, Kvanzhakov Kantemir, and won by a first round TKO. Askarov extended his winning streak to four, with stoppage wins against Elvin Abbasov and Vakha Kadyrov.[7]

Absolute Championship Berkut

Following these two victories, Askarov signed with the Russian based promotion Absolute Championship Berkut. In his first fight with ACB, Askarov defeated Vyacheslav Gagiev by a second round TKO.[8] During ACB 22, Askarov fought[9] and submitted the undefeated Kirill Medvedovski.[10] He was then scheduled to fight Marcin Lasota during ACB 29.[11] Askarov won the fight by a second round TKO.[12] In his fourth with the organization, Askarov was scheduled to fight Ruslan Abiltarov during ACB 38.[13] He won the fight by rear naked choke, and was awarded a $5,000 bonus for the submission of the night.

These victories earned Askar the chance to fight José Maria Tomé for the vacant ACB Flyweight Championship.[14] He beat José Maria Tomé by submission in the fifth round to become the first ACB flyweight champion.[15] Askarov additionally earned a $5,000 bonus for the "Fight of the Night".[16]

Askarov was scheduled to have his first title defense during ACB 58, when he was fought Anthony Leone.[17] Askarov won the fight mid-way through the third round, by a body triangle neck crank.[18]

Askarov was scheduled to defend his title for the second time against Rasul Albaskhanov, during ACB 86.[19] He defeated Albaskhanov by a second round guillotine choke.[20]

Following his signature with the UFC, Askarov vacated the ACB Flyweight title.[21]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Askarov made his UFC debut against Brandon Moreno on the main card of . Though Moreno was competing in front of his home fans in Mexico, they fought to a split draw after three rounds.[22]

For his second fight in the Octagon, Askarov was booked to face former UFC flyweight title challenger Tim Elliott at on January 18, 2020, at UFC 246.[23] Askarov won the bout via unanimous decision.[24]

In his third fight for the promotion, Askarov faced Alexandre Pantoja at UFC Fight Night 172 on July 19, 2020.[25] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]

Askarov faced Joseph Benavidez on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259.[27] At the weigh-ins, Askar weighed in at 127 pounds, one pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at a catchweight and he was fined 20 percent of his individual purse, which went to Benavidez.[28] Askarov won the fight via unanimous decision.[29]

Askarov was scheduled to face Alex Perez on July 31, 2021, on UFC on ESPN 28.[30] However, Askarov pulled out of the fight in early July citing injury. In turn, Perez was removed from the card entirely and rescheduled to face Matt Schnell four weeks later on August 28, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192.[31]

Askarov faced Kai Kara-France on March 26, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 33.[32] He lost the first bout of his professional career via unanimous decision.[33]

The bout between Askarov and Perez was rescheduled and they are expected to meet on July 16, 2022, at UFC on ABC 3.[34] Askarov pulled out once again in early June due to undisclosed reasons and Perez was rescheduled against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 277.[35]

Askarov was scheduled to face Brandon Royval on October 15, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 212.[36] However the bout was cancelled the day before the event due to weight management issues.[37]

At the end of October, Askarov requested and was granted a release to deal with his health issues.[38]

Absolute Championship Akhmat

On January 28, 2023, it was announced that Askarov has signed a deal with Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA).[39]

Askarov was scheduled to face Azamat Kerefov on July 21, 2023, at ACA 160 as part of the 2023 ACA Flyweight Grand Prix, however the bout was scrapped after Askarov had to pull out due to medical issues.[40]

Askarov faced Alan Gomes on November 24, 2023, at ACA 166.[41] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[42]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Freestyle wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center|15–1–1|Alan Gomes|Decision (unanimous)|ACA 166: Magomedov vs. Dolgov||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|St. Petersburg, Russia||-|Loss|align=center|14–1–1|Kai Kara-France|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Columbus, Ohio, United States||-|Win|align=center|14–0–1|Joseph Benavidez|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 259||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States| |-|Win|align=center|13–0–1|Alexandre Pantoja|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates| |-|Win|align=center|12–0–1|Tim Elliott|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 246 ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States| |-|Draw|align=center||Brandon Moreno|Draw (split)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Mexico City, Mexico||-|Win|align=center|11–0|Rasul Albaskhanov|Technical submission (guillotine choke)|ACB 86 ||align=center|2|align=center|1:59|Moscow, Russia||-|Win|align=center|10–0|Anthony Leone|Submission (twister)|ACB 58||align=center|3|align=center|2:41|Khasavyurt, Russia||-|Win|align=center|9–0|José Maria Tomé|Submission (anaconda choke)|ACB 48||align=center|5|align=center|1:57|Moscow, Russia||-|Win|align=center|8–0|Ruslan Abiltarov|Submission (rear-naked choke)|ACB 38||align=center|2|align=center|1:37|Rostov-on-Don, Russia||-|Win|align=center|7–0|Marcin Lasota|TKO (punches)|ACB 29||align=center|2|align=center|3:35|Warsaw, Poland||-|Win|align=center|6–0|Kirill Medvedovsky|Submission (rear-naked choke)|ACB 22||align=center|3|align=center|3:56|Saint Petersburg, Russia||-|Win|align=center|5–0|Vyacheslav Gagiev|TKO (punches)|ACB 17||align=center|2|align=center|1:56|Grozny, Russia||-|Win|align=center|4–0|Vakha Kadyrov|TKO (punches)|Khasavyurt Fight: Dagestan MMA Open Cup 2014||align=center|1|align=center|3:15|Dagestan, Russia||-|Win|align=center|3–0|Elvin Abbasov|Submission (armbar)|GEFC: Lights of Baku 2||align=center|2|align=center|3:45|Baku, Azerbaijan||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Kvanzhakov Kantemir|TKO (punches)|Sparta Martial Arts Club: Team Sosnovy Bor vs. Team Leningrad Oblast||align=center|1|align=center|2:14|Leningrad, Russia||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Shamil Amirov|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Liga Kavkaz: Grand Umakhan Battle||align=center|2|align=center|2:05|Khunzakh, Russia||-[44]

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://akhvakh.ru/lichnosti/askarov_askar/ Askar Askarov
  2. Web site: Stats UFC. 2020-07-19. ufcstats.com. 2020-07-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20200721090057/http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/b1d19449397541dc. live.
  3. Web site: Stats UFC. 2021-03-07. ufcstats.com. 2021-01-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126210436/http://www.ufcstats.com/fighter-details/b1d19449397541dc. live.
  4. Web site: Rankings UFC . 2020-11-25 . www.aca-mma.com.
  5. Web site: UFC Mexico's Askar Askarov sets eyes on flyweight top ten. Scott. Lagdon. September 21, 2019. Bloody Elbow. April 16, 2020. September 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190924055736/https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2019/9/21/20876918/ufc-mexico-askar-askarov-sets-eyes-flyweight-top-ten-moreno-mma-interview. live.
  6. Web site: MMA/Единоборства. Слабослышащий чемпион ACB Аскаров взял золото на Сурдлимпиаде. July 26, 2017. news.sportbox.ru. April 16, 2020. December 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228141502/https://news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/edinoborstva/spbnews_NI764820_Slaboslyshashhij_chempion_ACB_Askarov_vzal_zoloto_na_Surdlimpiade. live.
  7. Web site: Askar Askarov . tapology.com . 23 November 2020 . 31 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201031015255/https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/99919-askar-askarov . live .
  8. Web site: ACB 17 - Grand Prix Berkut 2015 Stage 4 . aca-mma.com . 23 November 2020 . 30 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130062121/https://www.aca-mma.com/en/tournamentprev/acb-17-grand-prix-berkut-2015-stage-4-4521_24 . live .
  9. Web site: Дураев, тезка героя "Властелина колец" и другие звезды ММА на турнире АСВ 22! . news.sportbox.ru . 4 September 2015 . November 23, 2020 . August 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210801184517/https://news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/edinoborstva/spbnews_NI556755_Durajev_tezka_geroja_Vlastelina_kolec_i_drugije_zvezdy_MMA_na_turnire_ASV_22 . live .
  10. Web site: ACB 22 - St. Petersburg . aca-mma.com . 23 November 2020 . 1 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210801184516/https://www.aca-mma.com/en/tournamentprev/acb-22-st-petersburg-5686_29 . live .
  11. Web site: Out of Obscurity: Legacy FC 51, ACB 29 and WSOF GC 2 . combatpress.com . November 23, 2020 . December 5, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201205121228/https://combatpress.com/2016/02/out-of-obscurity-legacy-fc-51-acb-29-and-wsof-gc-2/ . live .
  12. Web site: Askar Askarov: The grappling sensation of the flyweight division . thescrap.co . 13 April 2020 . November 23, 2020 . November 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108150555/http://www.thescrap.co/askar-askarov-the-grappling-sensation-of-the-flyweight-division/ . live .
  13. Web site: Out of Obscurity: ACB 38, Venator FC 3 and Akhmat Fight Show 22 . combatpress.com . November 23, 2020 . September 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200930093958/https://combatpress.com/2016/05/out-of-obscurity-acb-38-venator-fc-3-and-akhmat-fight-show-22/ . live .
  14. Web site: 'ACB 48: REVENGE' Free Livestream . mmanews24.com . November 23, 2020 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130144136/https://www.mmanews24.com/acb-48-revenge-free-livestream/ . dead .
  15. Web site: Бокс/MMA. Аскаров - новый чемпион ACB, Абдулвахабов сохранил пояс. October 23, 2016. news.sportbox.ru. April 16, 2020. August 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210801184515/https://news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/edinoborstva/spbnews_NI682308_Askarov___novyj_chempion_ACB_Abdulvahabov_sohranil_pojas. live.
  16. Web site: ACB 48: Revenge . tapology.com . November 23, 2020 . August 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210801184516/https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/40973-absolute-championship-berkut-47-the-rematch . live .
  17. Web site: ACA . facebook.com . November 23, 2020 . January 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210125134949/https://m.facebook.com/acberkut/posts/-acb-58-young-eagles-askar-askarov-vs-anthony-leone-on-acb-58-tournament-askar-a/1309529899126619/ . live .
  18. Web site: 2017-04-22. Askar Askarov scores vicious body triangle neck crank against Anthony Leone at ACB 58. 2020-07-19. MMA Fury. 2020-07-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20200720024133/http://mmafury.com/mma-news/askar-askarov-scores-vicious-body-triangle-neck-crank-against-anthony-leone-at-acb-58/181930. dead.
  19. Web site: В "Олимпийском" пройдет самый массовый турнир в истории российских ММА . news.sportbox.ru . 27 April 2018 . November 23, 2020 . August 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210801184515/https://news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/edinoborstva/spbnews_NI847023_V_Olimpijskom_projdet_samyj_massovyj_turnir_v_istorii_rossijskih_MMA . live .
  20. Web site: Carroll. Peter. 2018-05-05. ACB 86 results: Yusup Raisov unifies 145 titles with first-round finish of Marat Balaev. 2020-07-19. MMA Fighting. en. 2019-12-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20191218212236/https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/5/5/17323016/acb-86-results-yusup-raisov-unifies-145-titles-with-first-round-finish-of-marat-balaev. live.
  21. Web site: Welcome to the UFC: Askar Askarov . cagesidepress.com . 19 September 2019 . November 23, 2020 . August 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210801184515/https://cagesidepress.com/2019/09/19/welcome-to-the-ufc-askar-askarov/ . live .
  22. Web site: UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Stephens. 14 May 2019 . Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2019-09-16. 2019-07-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20190712172448/https://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-fight-night-septemer-21-2019. live.
  23. Web site: Tim Elliott vs. Askar Askarov set for UFC 246. MMA Fighting. Newswire. November 30, 2019. MMA Fighting. April 16, 2020. December 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191221073406/https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/11/30/20989031/tim-elliott-vs-askar-askarov-set-for-ufc-246. live.
  24. Web site: Askar Askarov gets first UFC win and already sets sights on flyweight title shot. January 21, 2020. April 16, 2020. April 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200418032356/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/01/askar-askarov-first-ufc-win-sights-flyweight-title-shot-ufc-246. live.
  25. Web site: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2 voor vacante titel + Pantoja vs. Askarov, waarschijnlijk "Fight Island". DNA. MMA. 23 May 2020 . en-US. 2020-05-25. 2020-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20200605050542/https://mmadna.nl/figueiredo-vs-benavidez-2-voor-vacante-titel-pantoja-vs-askarov-waarschijnlijk-fight-island/. live.
  26. Web site: Fuentes. Jon. 2020-07-18. UFC Fight Island 2 Results: Askar Askarov Gets Decision Win Over Alexandre Pantoja. 2020-07-19. Cageside Press. en-US. 2020-07-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20200719005942/https://cagesidepress.com/2020/07/18/ufc-fight-island-2-results-alexandre-pantoja-vs-askar-askarov/. live.
  27. Web site: Joseph Benavidez vs. Askar Askarov booked for UFC 259 on March 6. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Farah Hannoun. 2020-12-01. 2020-12-01. 2021-02-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20210217095855/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/ufc-259-joseph-benavidez-vs-askar-askarov-booked. live.
  28. Web site: UFC 259: Three title fights, 15 bouts overall official – with one miss. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Staff. 2021-03-05. 2021-03-05. 2021-03-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305231040/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/ufc-259-jan-blachowicz-israel-adesanya-weigh-in-results-live-video-stream. live.
  29. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2021-03-06. UFC 259 Results: Askar Askarov Earns Decision Over Veteran Joseph Benavidez. 2021-03-07. Cageside Press. en-US. 2021-03-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20210307020239/https://cagesidepress.com/2021/03/06/ufc-259-results-joseph-benavidez-vs-askar-askarov/. live.
  30. Web site: Askar Askarov vs. Alex Perez set for UFC Vegas 33. bjpenn.com. June 14, 2021. June 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210618125106/https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc/askar-askarov-vs-alex-perez-set-for-ufc-vegas-33/. live.
  31. Web site: Dorff. Marcel. 2021-07-08. Alex Perez vs. Matt Schnell wederom geboekt, ditmaal voor UFC evenement op 28 augustus. 2021-07-08. MMA DNA. en-US. 2021-07-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20210708093023/https://mmadna.nl/alex-perez-vs-matt-schnell-wederom-geboekt-ditmaal-voor-ufc-evenement-op-28-augustus/. live.
  32. Web site: Dorff. Marcel. 2021-12-25. Onofficiele "title eliminator" tussen Askar Askarov en Kai Kara-France tijdens UFC Columbus. 2021-12-25. MMA DNA. en-US. 2021-12-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20211225181609/https://mmadna.nl/onofficiele-title-eliminator-tussen-askar-askarov-en-kai-kara-france-tijdens-ufc-columbus/. live.
  33. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-03-26 . UFC Columbus: Kai Kara-France Upsets Askar Askarov in Thriller . 2022-03-27 . Cageside Press . en-US . 2022-03-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220327004413/https://cagesidepress.com/2022/03/26/ufc-columbus-askar-askarov-vs-kai-kara-france/ . live .
  34. Web site: 2022-04-13 . Askar Askarov Vs. Alex Perez Set For July 16 UFC Fight Night . 2022-04-14 . MMA News . en-US . 2022-04-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220413102050/https://www.mmanews.com/2022/04/askar-askarov-vs-alex-perez/ . live .
  35. Web site: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Alex Perez in the works for UFC 277 on July 30. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Farah Hannoun. 2022-06-09. 2022-06-09. 2022-06-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20220609231626/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/06/ufc-277-alexandre-pantoja-vs-alex-perez-booked. live.
  36. Web site: UFC: Brandon Royval vs. Askar Askarov set for October 15. cagesidepress.com. Jay Anderson. 2022-08-03. 2022-08-03. 2022-08-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20220803161652/https://cagesidepress.com/2022/08/03/ufc-brandon-royval-vs-askar-askarov-set-october-15/. live.
  37. News: Fighting . MMA . Brandon Royval vs. Askar Askarov called off for UFC Vegas 62 . 14 October 2022 . MMA Fighting . 14 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014151301/https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/10/14/23404443/brandon-royval-vs-askar-askarov-called-off-for-ufc-vegas-62 . live .
  38. Web site: 2022-10-29 . Askar Askaraov says he asked for UFC release, 'received a positive response' . 2022-10-30 . MMA Junkie . en-US . 2022-10-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221029163551/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/10/ufcnews-askar-askaraov-requests-release-one-fight-left . live .
  39. Web site: 2023-01-28 . Ex-UFC contender Askar Askarov signs with Absolute Championship Akhmat . 2023-01-28 . MMA Junkie . en-US . 2023-01-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230128200414/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/01/ex-ufc-contender-askar-askarov-signs-with-absolute-championship-akhmat . live .
  40. Web site: 2023-07-15 . Бой между Аскаром Аскаровым и Азаматом Керефовым перенесен . 2023-10-26 . AllBoxing.ru - все новости бокса и ММА (MMA) . ru . 2023-10-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231026173551/https://allboxing.ru/news/20230715-1431/boy-mezhdu-askarom-askarovym-i-azamatom-kerefovym-perenesen . live .
  41. Web site: Локтионов . Никита . 2023-10-26 . Бывший боец UFC Аскар Аскаров подерется на турнире ACA 166 . 2023-10-26 . Fight.ru . ru-RU . 2023-10-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231026173607/https://fight.ru/news/byvshiy-boets-ufc-askar-askarov-poderetsya-na-turnire-aca-166/ . live .
  42. Web site: Аскаров победил Гомеша на ACA 166 в Санкт-Петербурге . mma.metaratings.ru . ru . November 24, 2023.
  43. Web site: Чемпион ACB взял бронзу на ЧМ по вольной борьбе среди глухих. 20 June 2018 . 2020-04-16. 2021-12-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228141506/https://md-gazeta.ru/sport/47618. live.
  44. Web site: Sherdog.com. Askar. 2021-03-07. Sherdog. 2021-03-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20210307021630/https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Askar-Askarov-149255. live.