Ismail Naurdiev

Ismail Naurdiev
Ismail Naurdiev at UFC Fight Night 160 in Copenhagen
Born (1996-08-18) 18 August 1996
Grozny, Chechnya, Russia[1]
Native nameИсмаил Наурдиев
Other namesThe Austrian Wonderboy
NationalityAustrian[2]
Moroccan (since 2024)[3]
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionWelterweight (2012–2020)
Super welterweight (2021–2022)
Middleweight (2023–present)
Reach74 in (188 cm)[4]
StyleWrestling[1]
Fighting out ofRabat, Morocco
TeamTop Team Salzburg
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total33
Wins25
By knockout13
By submission6
By decision6
Losses8
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision4
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Ismail Naurdiev (Russian: Исмаил Наурдиев; born 18 August 1996) is an Austrian and Moroccan mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He formerly competed in the Super Welterweight division of Brave Combat Federation and Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB).

Early life

Naurdiev was born in Grozny, Chechnya, Russia[1] and his family left the war-torn city and moved to Austria in 2004 for a safe and better life. He started training in wrestling and transitioned to MMA when he was a teenager. At the beginning of his MMA professional career, Naurdiev did not have any trainers or sparring partners but would accept every fight offered to him for experience.[2]

Yes, [I have] only Austrian [citizenship]. I speak to the UFC only to fight under the flag of Austria, because this country has given me everything. I give them credit. I feel good in Austria, but I do not forget my roots.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Naurdiev fought in the European-based promotions, notably Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), formally known as Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB), and amassed a record of 17–2 prior to joining UFC.[5]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Naurdiev made his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos on 23 February 2019. He faced Michel Prazeres, replacing injured Ramazan Emeev,[6] and won the fight by unanimous decision.[7]

On 6 July 2019, Naurdiev faced Chance Rencountre at UFC 239.[8] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[9]

Naurdiev next faced Siyar Bahadurzada at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Cannonier on 28 September 2019.[10] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[11]

Naurdiev faced Sean Brady on 29 February 2020, at UFC Fight Night 169.[12] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[13]

On 19 March 2020, it was reported that Naurdiev parted way with UFC.[14] Later, Naurdiev elaborated that after fighting out his four-fight rookie contract with a record of 2–2, the organization was not interested in re-signing him.[15]

Post-UFC career

On 24 August 2020, news surfaced that Naurdiev had signed with Elite MMA Championship and was expected to make his promotional debut in the promotion's welterweight grand prix at EMC 5 on 5 September 2020.[16] He faced Tymoteusz Łopaczyk and won the fight via unanimous decision, advancing to the grand prix final.[17]

In the final, Naurdiev was expected to face Amiran Gogoladze at EMC 6 on 31 October 2020.[18] However, Naurdiev withdrew from the bout due to an injury prior to the whole event being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[19][20]

Brave Combat Federation

On 26 February 2021, Naurdiev announced that he signed a multi-fight contract with Brave Combat Federation.[21] Subsequently, it was announced that Naurdiev will be challenging Jarrah Al-Silawi for the BRAVE CF Super Welterweight Championship at Brave CF 50 on 1 April 2021.[22] He lost in the second round after he injured his leg from a kick.[23]

Naurdiev faced Olli Santalahti on 25 September 2021, at Brave CF 54. He won the bout via unanimous decision.[24]

Naurdiev faced Bekten Zheenbekov on 18 June 2022 at Brave CF 59. He won the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round. [25]

Naurdiev faced Marcin Bandel for the vacant Brave CF Super Welterweight Championship at Brave CF 63. He lost the bout in the first round after being dropped by Bandel and submitted with an armbar.[26]

Naurdiev looked to rebound against Vadim Kutsyi on 17 December 2022 at Brave CF 68, however he lost the bout via TKO stoppage in the first round.[27]

Naurdiev moved up to Middleweight and faced Tahar Hadbi on 8 December 2023 at Brave CF 79, winning the bout via guillotine choke in the first round.[28]

Return to UFC

Naurdiev faced Bruno Silva on 26 October 2024, at UFC 308.[29] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[30]

Naurdiev was scheduled to face Jun Yong Park on 17 May 2025, at UFC Fight Night 256.[31] However, for unknown reasons, the bout was rescheduled to UFC on ABC 8 which took place on 21 June.[32] After Naurdiev was deduced two points due to an illegal knee, he lost the fight by unanimous decision.[33]

Naurdiev faced Ryan Loder on 22 November 2025, at UFC Fight Night 265.[34] He won the fight by knockout in the first round.[35]

Naurdiev was scheduled to face Marvin Vettori on 27 June 2026 at UFC Fight Night 280.[36] However, Vettori withdrew due to a rib injury, so the bout was scrapped.[37] The bout was rescheduled to 3 October 2026 at UFC 332.[38]

Personal life

Naurdiev earned his moniker "The Austrian Wonderboy" due to his flashy, stylist and wild spinning kicks skills.[1]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

  • Aggrelin
    • AG Welterweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
33 matches 25 wins 8 losses
By knockout 13 2
By submission 6 2
By decision 6 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 25–8 Ryan Loder KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker 22 November 2025 1 1:26 Al Rayyan, Qatar
Loss 24–8 Park Jun-yong Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Hill vs. Rountree Jr. 21 June 2025 3 5:00 Baku, Azerbaijan Naurdiev was deducted two points in round 2 due to an illegal knee.
Win 24–7 Bruno Silva Decision (unanimous) UFC 308 26 October 2024 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 23–7 Tahar Hadbi Submission (guillotine choke) Brave CF 79 8 December 2023 1 1:10 Isa Town, Bahrain Middleweight debut.
Loss 22–7 Vadym Kutsyi TKO (punches) Brave CF 68 17 December 2022 1 3:23 Düsseldorf, Germany
Loss 22–6 Marcin Bandel Submission (armbar) Brave CF 63 19 October 2022 1 1:20 Isa Town, Bahrain For the vacant Brave CF Super Welterweight Championship.
Win 22–5 Bekten Zheenbekov TKO (punches) Brave CF 59 18 June 2022 1 2:26 Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Win 21–5 Olli Santalahti Decision (unanimous) Brave CF 54 25 September 2021 3 5:00 Konin, Poland
Loss 20–5 Jarrah Al-Silawi TKO (leg kicks) Brave CF 50 1 April 2021 2 1:19 Arad, Bahrain Super Welterweight debut. For the Brave CF Super Welterweight Championship.
Win 20–4 Tymoteusz Łopaczyk Decision (unanimous) Elite MMA Championship 5 5 September 2020 3 5:00 Düsseldorf, Germany EMC Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Loss 19–4 Sean Brady Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo 29 February 2020 3 5:00 Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Win 19–3 Siyar Bahadurzada Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Cannonier 28 September 2019 3 5:00 Copenhagen, Denmark
Loss 18–3 Chance Rencountre Decision (unanimous) UFC 239 6 July 2019 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 18–2 Michel Prazeres Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos 23 February 2019 3 5:00 Prague, Czech Republic
Win 17–2 Paulistenio Rocha TKO (punches) X Fight Nights 16 2 February 2019 1 0:36 Vienna, Austria
Win 16–2 Georgi Valentinov KO (spinning wheel kick and punches) ACB 74 18 November 2017 1 3:10 Vienna, Austria
Loss 15–2 Ismael de Jesus Decision (unanimous) ACB 70 23 September 2017 3 5:00 Sheffield, England
Win 15–1 Ben Alloway KO (kick to the body) ACB 60 13 May 2017 1 2:24 Vienna, Austria
Win 14–1 Andrei Vasinca TKO (knee and punches) ACB 52 21 January 2017 1 1:28 Vienna, Austria Knockout of the Night.
Win 13–1 Lászlò Szögyényi TKO (punches) World Freefight Challenge 21 17 December 2016 2 1:49 Bad Voeslau, Austria
Win 12–1 Garik Shahbabyan Submission (arm-triangle choke) Aggrelin 14 16 October 2016 2 2:41 Salzburg, Austria Won the Aggrelin Welterweight Championship.
Win 11–1 Daniel Skibiński KO (knee) World Freefight Challenge 20 27 August 2016 1 0:40 Bad Vöslau, Austria Knockout of the Night.
Win 10–1 David Mate TKO (punches) KraftHerr Fight Night 1 27 February 2016 1 1:15 St. Polten, Austria
Win 9–1 Leonardo D'Auria TKO (punches) Austrian Fight Challenge 2 12 December 2015 1 N/A Vienna, Austria
Win 8–1 Asmir Sadiković Submission (triangle choke) NAAFS: Europe 6 December 2015 2 1:03 Split, Croatia
Win 7–1 Mikko Ahmala TKO (punches and elbows) CAGE 30 16 May 2015 1 2:27 Leonding, Austria
Win 6–1 Adnan Hadzic Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight Night Leonding 3 11 April 2015 1 1:28 Leonding, Austria
Win 5–1 Ibo Can TKO (punches) Charity Fight Night 2 20 September 2014 1 2:00 Dornbirn, Austria
Loss 4–1 Cem Kaya Submission (triangle choke) German MMA Championship 5 9 December 2012 1 0:40 Castrop-Rauxel, Germany Catchweight (176 lb) bout.
Win 4–0 Uros Pavlovic TKO (punches) Salzburger MMA Challenge 2 26 April 2014 1 N/A Salzburg, Austria
Win 3–0 Robert Oganesyan Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight Night Linz 4 9 December 2014 1 4:26 Leonding, Austria
Win 2–0 Abdul Shaliqhi Submission (rear-naked choke) Respect Austria 1 2 February 2013 1 3:00 Freistadt, Austria
Win 1–0 Alic Eldridz Decision (unanimous) King of the Ring: Austria 17 November 2012 3 5:00 Salzburg, Austria Welterweight debut.

[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Fortune, Ryan (5 July 2019). "UFC 239 Featured Fighter: Ismail Naurdiev". Cageside Press. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 ""Слышал, Чечня стала красивой, хочу туда приехать снова"". www.sport-express.ru (in Russian). 4 July 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  3. ↑ https://barlamantoday.com/2024/11/09/morocco-grants-nationality-to-ufc-fighters-naurdiev-brothers
  4. ↑ "Ismail Naurdiev | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  5. 1 2 Sherdog.com. "Ismail". Sherdog. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  6. ↑ "Ultimate escala Ismail Naurdiev para a luta contra Michel Trator no UFC Praga, dia 23 de fevereiro". Sportv (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  7. ↑ "UFC Prague results: Newcomer Ismail Naurdiev shocks exhausted Michel Prazeres". MMAjunkie. 23 February 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  8. ↑ DNA, MMA. "Ismail Naurdiev maakt opwachting tijdens UFC 239 in Las Vegas tegen Chance Rencountre". Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  9. ↑ Anderson, Jay (6 July 2019). "UFC 239 Results: Chance Rencountre Upsets Ismail Naurdiev in Decision Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  10. ↑ DNA, MMA. "Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Ismail Naurdiev toegevoegd aan UFC Kopenhagen". Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  11. ↑ Anderson, Jay (28 September 2019). "UFC Copenhagen Results: Ismail Naurdiev Cruises to Victory Over Siyar Bahadurzada". Cageside Press. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  12. ↑ DNA, MMA. "Sean Brady treft Ismail Naurdiev tijdens UFC Norfolk". Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  13. ↑ Anderson, Jay (29 February 2020). "UFC Norfolk Results: Sean Brady Comes On Strong in Second and Third, Takes Decision Over Ismail Naurdiev". Cageside Press. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  14. ↑ Sherdog.com. "14 Fighters No Longer Part of UFC Roster Following Cuts, Free Agency". Sherdog. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  15. ↑ Damon Martin (4 September 2020). "Ismail Naurdiev explains UFC exit, plans to return begin with EMC welterweight grand prix". mmafighting.com.
  16. ↑ Damon Martin (24 August 2020). "EMC books four-man welterweight grand prix for next month featuring former UFC, PFL veterans". mmafighting.com.
  17. ↑ "Satoshi Ishii to appeal against EMC 5 decision defeat". asianmma.com. 9 September 2020.
  18. ↑ Damon Martin (15 September 2020). "UFC veteran Ismail Naurdiev vs. Amiran Gogoladze to crown welterweight champion headlines EMC 6". mmafighting.com.
  19. ↑ EMC Promotion [@EMC_Promotion] (26 October 2020). "Ismail Naurdiev suffered an injury in training and his fight with Amiran Gogoladze will be rescheduled for a future EMC event" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ↑ EMC Promotion [@EMC_Promotion] (30 October 2020). "Despite our best efforts, we have been forced to postpone #EMC6 this weekend due to the increasing numbers of COVID-19 infections & new gov restrictions throughout Germany" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ↑ Ismail Naurdiev [@theaustrianwonderboy]; (26 February 2021). "Super excited to be joining BRAVE CF's awesome Super Welterweight roster!" – via Instagram.
  22. ↑ Farah Hannoun (3 March 2021). "Brave CF 50: Super welterweight champion Jarrah Al-Silawi set for Ismail Naurdiev test on April 1". MMAjunkie.com.
  23. ↑ Leonte, Tudor. "Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi Chops Down Ismail Naurdiev, Defends Belt at Brave CF 50". Sherdog. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  24. ↑ Clifton, Michael (26 September 2021). "BRAVE CF 54: Full Results". LowKickMMA.com. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  25. ↑ FightBookMMA (18 June 2022). "BRAVE CF 59 results: Kubanychbek earns interim world title, shot at lineal champ | FightBook MMA". Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  26. ↑ "BRAVE CF 63 Results - Naurdiev vs Bandel". MMA Sucka. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  27. ↑ Federation, Brave Combat. "BRAVE CF 68 results: Joilton Lutterbach makes statement with first-round TKO win, calls out Eldar Eldarov". MMA Underground. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  28. ↑ Team, Black Belt (9 December 2023). "BRAVE CF 79 Results: A Night of Knockouts, Submissions, and Historic Farewells". Black Belt Magazine. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  29. ↑ Diego Ribas (4 September 2024). "Nova chance! Bruno Blindado busca encerrar má fase no UFC em outubro" (in Spanish). agfight.com. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  30. ↑ Bryson Hester (26 October 2024). "Ismail Naurdiev Returns at UFC 308, Beats Bruno Silva". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  31. ↑ Kang Daeho (26 February 2025). "Park Jun-yong will face Ismail Nourdiev (29, Austria/Morocco) in a middleweight (84kg) match at the UFC Fight Night Qatar on May 17". mk.co.kr. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  32. ↑ Harvey Leonard (23 March 2025). "Latest UFC Fight Announcements Featuring Rose Namajunas, Paul Craig, And More". mmanews.com. Retrieved 23 March 2025.
  33. ↑ Jay Anderson (21 June 2025). "UFC Baku: Ismail Naurdiev Sees Two Points Deducted Off Blantant Foul, Jun Yong Park Shows True Grit". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  34. ↑ "UFC Qatar reportedly adds two more fights as UFC fans wait on main event news". MMA Knockout On SI. 22 September 2025. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  35. ↑ Shawn Bitter (22 November 2025). "Ismail Naurdiev Flattens TUF Winner Ryan Loder in Spectacular R1 KO". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  36. ↑ Francesco Auletta (26 March 2026). "Marvin Vettori vs Ismail Naurdiev a UFC Baku il 27 giugno". theshieldofsports.news. Retrieved 30 March 2026. (in Italian)
  37. ↑ Ryan Harkness (21 May 2026). "Italian nightmare! Marvin Vettori pulls out of UFC Baku on June 27th with broken rib". mmamania.com. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  38. ↑ Alexander K. Lee (18 August 2026). "UFC 332 adds several new bouts, including Johnny Walker's heavyweight debut". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
  39. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (31 December 2019). "Ten Best - The Newcomers of 2019". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  40. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (2 January 2020). "Ten Best - The Upsets of 2019". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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