Magomed Mustafaev

{{family name hatnote|Mustafaevich| Mustafaev|lang=Eastern Slavic}}

{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Magomed Mustafaev

| native_name =

| native_name_lang= Russian

| other_names = Sniper

| image =

| image_size = 200px

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|8|2}}

| birth_place = Gergebilsky District, Dagestan ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union

| death_date =

| death_place =

| death_cause =

| residence =

| nationality = Russian

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}

| weight = {{convert|155|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}

| weight_class = Middleweight
Welterweight
Lightweight

| trainer = Mansur Uchakaev
Agop Topchyan

| reach_in = 71

| style =

| stance = Southpaw

| fighting_out_of = Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia

| team = Sochi Star Club
Berkut Fight Club
American Top Team

| rank =

| years_active = 2011–2020

| mma_kowin = 10

| mma_subwin = 4

| mma_decwin =

| mma_koloss =

| mma_subloss = 2

| mma_decloss = 1

| mma_draw =

| mma_nc =

| url =

| sherdog = 80231

| footnotes =

| updated =

}}

Magomed Mustafaev (born August 2, 1988) is a Russian mixed martial artist, who competed in the Lightweight division of the UFC. A professional competitor since 2011, he has also competed for M-1 Global.

Background

Magomed Mustafaev was born on February 8, 1988, in the village of Aimaki in modern-day Dagestan. He began training in freestyle wrestling while in elementary school. After high school, he moved to Sochi and started training MMA. He is the winner of the Pankration Black Sea Cup.{{cite web|url=http://fc-berkut.ru/7065|title=Magomed Mustafaev interview|publisher=fc-berkut.ru|accessdate=January 7, 2015|archive-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725203250/http://fc-berkut.ru/7065|url-status=dead}}

Mixed martial arts career

=Early career=

Mustafaev made his professional mixed martial arts debut on April 29, 2011, defeating fellow Russian Marat Medzhidov by TKO in the first round. The first loss on his professional record came in his next fight less than three months later against Dagestani Arsen Ubaidulaev due to a rear-naked choke.

Mustafaev faced to Russian MMA prospect Andrei Koshkin on March 14, 2014, at M-1 Challenge 46. He won via submission in the second round.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brnGFNv3K9s|title=Magomed Mustafaev in the M-1 Global (Mustafaev vs. Koshkin)|date=21 March 2014 |publisher=youtube.com|accessdate=March 21, 2014}}

On September 1, 2014, Mustafaev competed in the Sochi Star 2014 Welterweight Grand Prix. Mustafaev defeated Amirkhan Adaev and Gleb Morozov both by KO in the first round. Mustafaev followed up with another winning performance against Russian MMA prospect and WSOF fighter Abubakar Nurmagomedov{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/3/19/8244663/ufc-khabib-abdulmanap-nurmegomedov-dagestan-dynasty-fighting-family-business-mountains-war-mma|title=Dagestani Dynasty|author=Karim Zidan|work=Bloody Elbow|date=19 March 2015 }} (cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov) to claim the tournament victory and propel himself into consideration for a shot in a top tier MMA promotion.{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/10/28/7038335/ufc-2015-bloody-elbow-mma-scouting-report-2-welterweight-magomed-mustafaev|title=2015 Bloody Elbow MMA Scouting Report #2 Welterweight: Magomed Mustafaev|author=TP Grant and Zane Simon|work=Bloody Elbow|date=28 October 2014 }}

=Ultimate Fighting Championship=

Following the tournament victory and a 10 fight win streak in various Russian MMA events, Mustafaev signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship on November 6, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/11/7/7170539/ufc-signs-top-scouting-prospect-magomed-mustafaev-heavyweight-timothy-johnson-mma-news|title=Welcome to the UFC, Mustafaev & Johnson|author=Zane Simon|work=Bloody Elbow|date=7 November 2014 }} In his move from Russian MMA promotions to the UFC, Mustafaev transitioned from Welterweight to the Lightweight division.

Mustafaev first fought in the UFC opposite Piotr Hallmann on June 20, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 69 in Berlin, Germany. Mustafaev won by TKO (doctor's stoppage) in the second round due to multiple cuts around the eyes of Hallmann.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/06/ufc-fight-night-69-results-magomed-mustafaev-cuts-piotr-hallmann-forces-stoppage|title=UFC Fight Night 69 results: Magomed Mustafaev cuts Piotr Hallmann, forces TKO|work=MMAjunkie|date=20 June 2015 }}

Mustafaev faced Joe Proctor at UFC 194 on December 12, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/08/joe-proctor-vs-magomed-mustafaev-added-to-ufc-194-in-las-vegas|title=Joe Proctor vs. Magomed Mustafaev added to UFC 194 in Las Vegas|work=MMAjunkie|date=25 August 2015 }} He won the fight via TKO in the first round after a liver kick.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/12/ufc-194-results-magomed-mustafaev-drills-joe-proctor-with-liver-kick-gets-quick-tko|title=UFC 194 results: Magomed Mustafaev drills Joe Proctor with liver kick, gets quick TKO|publisher=mmajunkie.com |author=Matt Erickson|date=2015-12-12|accessdate=2015-12-12}}

Mustafaev faced Kevin Lee at UFC Fight Night 99 on November 19, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/10/kevin-lee-says-hes-fighting-magomed-mustafaev-at-ufc-fight-night-99-in-belfast|title=Kevin Lee says he's fighting Magomed Mustafaev at UFC Fight Night 99 in Belfast|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2016-10-01|accessdate=2016-10-01}} He suffered an arm injury and lost the fight by submission due to a rear naked choke in the second round.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/11/ufc-fight-night-99-results-kevin-lee-submits-magomed-mustafaev-calls-out-division|title=UFC Fight Night 99 results: Kevin Lee submits Magomed Mustafaev, calls out division|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Dann Stupp|date=2016-11-19|accessdate=2016-11-19}}

After an extended hiatus, due in part to an arm injury suffered in his last fight, Musafaev faced promotional newcomer Rafael Fiziev on April 20, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 149.{{Cite web|url=http://mmadna.nl/exclusief-rafael-fiziev-treft-magomed-mustafaev-tijdens-ufc-debuut-in-st-petersburg/|title=Rafael Fiziev meets Magomed Mustafaev during UFC debut in St.Petersburg|author=Marcel Dorff|publisher=mmadnanl.com|date=2019-03-15|access-date=2019-03-15|language=nl}} Mustafaev won the fight by first round technical knockout.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2019/4/20/18508860/ufc-st-petersburg-full-fight-video-highlights-magomed-mustafaev-knockout-rafael-fiziev-overeem-espn|title=UFC St. Petersburg Highlights! Mustafaev Scores Nasty Spinning Back Kick Finish|last=Hiergesell|first=Dan|date=2019-04-20|website=MMAmania.com|access-date=2019-04-20}} This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/04/ufc-st-petersburg-bonuses-islam-makhachevs-battle-with-arman-tsarukyan-takes-fight-of-the-night|title=UFC St. Petersburg bonuses: Islam Makhachev's battle with Arman Tsarukyan takes 'Fight of the Night'|date=2019-04-20|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2019-04-21}}

Mustafaev was expected to face Don Madge on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242.{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/magomed-mustafaev-treft-don-madge-tijdens-ufc-242-in-abu-dhabi/|title=Magomed Mustafaev meets Don Madge during UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi|author=Staff|website=mmadnanl.com|date=2019-06-28|access-date=2019-06-28|language=nl}} However, on August 18, 2019, it was reported that Mustafaev was removed from the bout for undisclosed reasons.{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/afmeldingen-voor-zowel-ufc-shenzhen-als-ufc-242-in-abu-dhabi/|title=Afmeldingen voor zowel UFC Shenzhen als UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=18 August 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-19}}

Mustafaev faced Brad Riddell on February 23, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. Hooker.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/11/magomed-mustafaev-vs-brad-riddell-ufc-auckland-new-zealand|title=Magomed Mustafaev vs. Brad Riddell added to UFC Auckland on Feb. 23|author=Farah Hannoun|website=mmajunkie.com|date=2019-11-26|access-date=2019-11-26}} He lost the fight via split decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/02/22/ufc-auckland-results-brad-riddell/|title=UFC Auckland Results: Brad Riddell Outlasts Magomed Mustafaev in Brawl|last=Doherty|first=Dan|date=2020-02-22|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-23}}

Mustafaev was scheduled to face Renato Moicano on October 18, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 180.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2020-08-25|title=Renato Moicano neemt het op 17 oktober op tegen Magomed Mustafaev|url=https://mmadna.nl/renato-moicano-neemt-het-op-17-oktober-op-tegen-magomed-mustafaev/|access-date=2020-08-26|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} However, Moicano pulled out of the fight in mid-September for undisclosed reasons,{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/9/15/21437794/renato-moicano-withdraws-ufc-fight-island-magomed-mustafaev|title=Renato Moicano withdraws from Fight Island clash with Magomed Mustafaev|author=Guilherme Cruz|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=2020-09-15|access-date=2020-09-15}} and he was replaced by Mateusz Gamrot.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/09/ksw-champ-mateusz-gamrot-stepping-in-to-face-magomed-mustafaev-on-oct-17|website=MMAjunkie|language=en-US|title=KSW champ Mateusz Gamrot stepping in to face Magomed Mustafaev on Oct. 17 }} In turn, the bout was scrapped entirely for undisclosed reasons.{{cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/vier-gevechten-gecanceld-voor-verschillende-ufc-evenementen-in-abu-dhabi/|title=Canceled four fights for various UFC events in Abu Dhabi|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Redactie|date=2020-10-01|access-date=2020-10-01}} {{in lang|nl}}

Mustafaev was expected to face Damir Ismagulov on October 30, 2021, at UFC 267.{{Cite web|last=Boussenaf|first=Jamal|date=2021-09-01|title=Damir Ismagulov treft Magomed Mustafaev tijdens UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi|url=https://mmadna.nl/damir-ismagulov-treft-magomed-mustafaev-tijdens-ufc-267-in-abu-dhabi/|access-date=2021-09-01|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} However at the weigh-ins, Ismagulov came in at 163.5 pounds, missing weight by 7.5 pounds, the bout was subsequently canceled by the UFC.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/10/ufc-267-official-weigh-in-results-blachowicz-vs-teixeira|title=UFC 267 weigh-in results: Khamzat Chimaev dodges miss, title fights set, huge miss leads to cancellation|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2021-10-29|access-date=2021-10-29}}

Mustafaev was scheduled to face Jamie Mullarkey on October 22, 2022, at UFC 280.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-25 |title=Magomed Mustafaev to perform at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi - WMMAA |url=https://wmmaa.org/magomed-mustafaev-to-perform-at-ufc-280-in-abu-dhabi/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |language=en-US}} However, Mullarkey pulled out in mid-September due to injury,{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-280-news-slim-trablesi-parker-porter-jamie-mullarkey-off|title=Three fighters off UFC 280 card in Abu Dhabi|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and Farah Hannoun|date=2022-09-18|access-date=2022-09-18}} and he was replaced by Yamato Nishikawa.{{Cite web|url=https://wmmaa.org/magomed-mustafaev-appointed-a-new-opponent/|title=Magomed Mustafaev appointed a new opponent|publisher=wmma.org|author=Staff|date=2022-09-24|access-date=2022-09-24}} In turn, Nishikawa was forced to withdraw due to contractual issues. The bout was ultimately scrapped from the card.{{Cite web |author=Staff |date=2022-10-18 |title=Yamato Nishikawa out of UFC 280 due to contractual issue |url=https://asianmma.com/yamato-nishikawa-out-of-ufc-280-due-to-contractual-issue/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |publisher=asianmma.com}}

In late October 2022, it was reported that Mustafaev was released by the UFC.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-10-31 |title=Halloween Horror! Nine More Fighters Removed from UFC Roster |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/10/31/halloween-horror-nine-fighters-removed-ufc-roster/ |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Championships and accomplishments

=Mixed martial artist=

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Performance of the Night (One time) {{small| vs. Rafael Fiziev}}{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/04/ufc-st-petersburg-bonuses-islam-makhachevs-battle-with-arman-tsarukyan-takes-fight-of-the-night|title=UFC St. Petersburg bonuses: Islam Makhachev's battle with Arman Tsarukyan takes 'Fight of the Night'|date=2019-04-20|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2019-04-21}}
UFC.com Awards
2015: Ranked #7 Newcomer of the Year{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/news/ten-Best-The-UFC-Newcomers-of-2015|title=Ten Best – The Newcomers of 2015|last=Gerbasi|first=Thomas|date=December 21, 2015|work=UFC.com}}

Mixed martial arts record

{{MMArecordbox

|draws=

|nc=

|ko-wins=10

|sub-wins=4

|dec-wins=0

|ko-losses=0

|sub-losses=2

|dec-losses=1

|dq-wins=

|dq-losses=

|other-wins=

|other-losses=

}}

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|14–3

|Brad Riddell

|Decision (split)

|UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. Hooker

|{{dts|2020|February|23}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Auckland, New Zealand

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|14–2

|Rafael Fiziev

|TKO (spinning back kick and punches)

|UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik

|{{dts|2019|April|20}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:26

|Saint Petersburg, Russia

|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|13–2

|Kevin Lee

|Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)

|UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Hall 2

|{{dts|2016|November|19}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|4:31

|Belfast, Northern Ireland

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|13–1

|Joe Proctor

|TKO (knees and punches)

|UFC 194

|{{dts|2015|December|12}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:54

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|12–1

|Piotr Hallmann

|TKO (doctor stoppage)

|UFC Fight Night: Jędrzejczyk vs. Penne

|{{dts|2015|June|20}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:24

|Berlin, Germany

|{{small|Return to Lightweight.}}

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 11–1

| Abubakar Nurmagomedov

| TKO (doctor stoppage)

|rowspan=2| Sochi Star Club: Sochi Star Tournament 1

|rowspan=2|{{dts|2014|September|1}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 4:11

|rowspan=2| Sochi, Russia

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 10–1

| Amirkhan Adaev

| KO (slam)

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:38

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 9–1

| Andrei Koshkin

| Verbal Submission (heel hook)

| M-1 Challenge 46

| {{dts|2014|March|14}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 0:39

| Saint Petersburg, Russia

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 8–1

| Lom-Ali Nalgiev

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| Legion Fight 18

| {{dts|2013|December|26}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 2:45

| Sochi, Russia

|{{small|Lightweight bout.}}

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 7–1

| Guseyn Omarov

| TKO (doctor stoppage)

| Legion Fight 17

| {{dts|2013|November|28}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 1:39

| Vladikavkaz, Russia

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 6–1

| Islam Begidov

| KO (punches)

|rowspan=2| Legion Fight 15

|rowspan=2| {{dts|2013|September|15}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:55

|rowspan=2| Sochi, Russia

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 5–1

| Artyom Egorov

| Submission (armbar)

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:55

|{{small|Return to Welterweight.}}

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 4–1

| Vadim Ogar

| Submission (triangle choke)

|rowspan=2| Legion Fight 12

|rowspan=2| {{dts|2013|January|16}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:15

|rowspan=2| Sochi, Russia

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 3–1

| Dmitry Korobeynikov

| TKO (punches)

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:40

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 2–1

| Sakhil Askarov

| TKO (corner stoppage)

| Legion Fight 10

| {{dts|2012|March|10}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 2:20

| Sochi, Russia

|{{small|Lightweight debut.}}

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 1–1

| Arsen Ubaidulaev

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| Legion Fight 9

| {{dts|2011|July|8}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 3:20

| Sochi, Russia

|{{small|Middleweight debut.}}

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 1–0

| Marat Medzhidov

| TKO (punches)

| Legion Fight 7

| {{dts|2011|April|29}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 4:55

| Sochi, Russia

|{{small|Welterweight debut.}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Magomed-Mustafaev-80231|title=Magomed Mustafaev MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2020-02-23}}