Nursulton Ruziboev
Uzbek mixed martial artist (born 1993)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nursulton Dilshodbek Ugli Ruziboev[3] (born November 19, 1993) is an Uzbek professional mixed martial artist and boxer who currently competes in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[4] As of August 8, 2026, he is #15 in the Meta UFC middleweight rankings.[5]
November 19, 1993
Shahrixon, Andijan Region, Uzbekistan
| Nursulton Ruziboev | |
|---|---|
Roʻziboyev in 2024 | |
| Born | Nursulton Dilshodbek Ugli Ruziboev November 19, 1993 Shahrixon, Andijan Region, Uzbekistan |
| Other names | Black |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) |
| Division | Lightweight (2014–2015) Welterweight (2014–present) Middleweight (2016–present) |
| Reach | 76 in (193 cm)[1] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
| Team | UZB Patriot Renzo Gracie Philly |
| Rank | Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 2 |
| Wins | 2 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 50 |
| Wins | 37 |
| By knockout | 13 |
| By submission | 21 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Losses | 9 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 7 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Boxing record from BoxRec | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Ruziboev was born on November 19, 1993, in Shahrixon, in the Andijan Region of Uzbekistan. He has two brothers and one sister.[6] His brother, Mashrabjon Ruziboev, is also a professional mixed martial artist.[7]
Starting at age 7-8, he began training in karate, and during his youth, he also trained combat sambo.[6] Ruziboev began training mixed martial arts at the age of 16.[2] In 2012, he left the country for Russia, where he worked to support his family. In 2013, he returned to Uzbekistan to participate in hand-to-hand combat tournaments. Ruziboev also earned a master's degree from Uzbekistan National University.[7]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
In 2014, Ruziboev began his professional career in Kazakhstan's Alash Pride organization.[6] He has fought under prominent organizations such as Brave Combat Federation, Absolute Championship Berkut, and Fight Nights Global.[8][9] Ruziboev is a former Middlewight Champion of the Open Fighting Championship and WEF Global.[10][11]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In 2023, Ruziboev signed a contract with the UFC and made his debut against Brunno Ferreira on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48.[12] He won the bout via KO in the first round.[13] This win earned him the Performance of the Night.[14]
Ruziboev was scheduled to face Caio Borralho on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231.[15] However, Ruziboev withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Abusupiyan Magomedov.[16]
Ruziboev faced Sedriques Dumas on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54. He won the bout via TKO in the first round.[17]
Ruziboev faced Joaquin Buckley in a welterweight bout on May 11, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 56.[18] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[19]
Ruziboev was scheduled to face Rinat Fakhretdinov on October 26, 2024, at UFC 308.[20] However, Ruziboev withdrew from the fight due to an injury and was replaced by former LFA Welterweight Champion and promotional newcomer Carlos Leal.[21][22]
Ruziboev faced promotional newcomer Eric McConico in a middleweight bout on February 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 252.[23] He won the fight by technical knockout in the second round.[24]
Ruziboev faced Dustin Stoltzfus on May 17, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256.[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]
Ruziboev was scheduled to face The Return of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Volkanovski vs. Team Ortega middleweight tournament winner Bryan Battle on August 16, 2025 in a middleweight bout at UFC 319.[27] At the weigh-ins, Battle weighed in at 190 pounds, four pounds over the middleweight non-title fight limit. The bout was scheduled to proceed at catchweight, however shortly thereafter, it was announced that the bout had been cancelled.[28][29]
Ruziboev faced Andrey Pulyaev on June 27, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 280.[30] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[31]
Ruziboev is scheduled to face Michael Page on September 5, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 287.[32]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Brunno Ferreira[14]
- Asian Fighting Championship Akhmat
- AFCA Middleweight Tournament winner
- World Ertaymash Federation
- WEF Middleweight Championship (Three times)
- World Fighting Championship Akhmat
- WFCA Welterweight Championship (One time)
- Open Fighting Championship
- OFC Middleweight Championship
Mixed martial arts record
| 50 matches | 37 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 13 | 1 |
| By submission | 21 | 1 |
| By decision | 3 | 7 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| No contests | 2 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 37–9–2 (2) | Andrey Pulyaev | Technical Submission (neck crank) | UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres | June 27, 2026 | 1 | 3:58 | Baku, Azerbaijan | |
| Win | 36–9–2 (2) | Dustin Stoltzfus | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales | May 17, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 35–9–2 (2) | Eric McConico | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song | February 22, 2025 | 2 | 0:32 | Seattle, Washington, United States | |
| Loss | 34–9–2 (2) | Joaquin Buckley | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento | May 11, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | Welterweight bout. |
| Win | 34–8–2 (2) | Sedriques Dumas | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot | March 30, 2024 | 1 | 3:18 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 33–8–2 (2) | Brunno Ferreira | KO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Strickland vs. Magomedov | July 1, 2023 | 1 | 1:17 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 32–8–2 (2) | Pavel Masalski | Submission (armbar) | WEF Global 17 | April 10, 2022 | 1 | 2:25 | Saint Petersburg, Russia | Defended the WEF Global Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 31–8–2 (2) | Luciano Contini | Submission (kimura) | Octagon 27 | February 19, 2022 | 1 | 0:44 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | |
| Win | 30–8–2 (2) | Eduard Arustamyan | TKO (punches) | Open FC 14 | December 12, 2021 | 1 | 1:51 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | Defended the Open FC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 29–8–2 (2) | Alexander Dolotenko | Submission (kimura) | Amir Temur FC 3 | September 25, 2021 | 1 | N/A | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | |
| Win | 28–8–2 (2) | Alex de Paula | TKO (punches) | Open FC 10 | September 12, 2021 | 1 | 3:41 | Moscow, Russia | Won the vacant Open FC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 27–8–2 (2) | Ibrahim Mané | KO (slam) | Brave CF 47 | March 11, 2021 | 1 | 3:12 | Arad, Bahrain | Catchweight (175 lb) bout. |
| Win | 26–8–2 (2) | Bogdan Kotlovyanov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Open FC 2 | February 20, 2021 | 1 | 1:03 | Samara, Russia | Return to Middleweight. |
| Win | 25–8–2 (2) | Maksym Soroka | Submission (kimura) | WFCA: Andijan Mayor Cup | January 10, 2021 | 1 | 0:35 | Andijan, Uzbekistan | Won the vacant WFCA Welterweight Championship. |
| Loss | 24–8–2 (2) | Boris Miroshnichenko | Decision (unanimous) | ProFC 66 | December 22, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Rostov-on-Don, Russia | Return to Welterweight. |
| Win | 24–7–2 (2) | Artem Shokalo | TKO (corner stoppage) | Gorilla Fighting 20 | November 23, 2019 | 2 | 2:00 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | |
| Win | 23–7–2 (2) | Leonid Antonov | Submission (armbar) | Professional Combat Turon 4 | September 22, 2019 | 1 | 2:04 | Yunusabad, Uzbekistan | Return to Middleweight. |
| NC | 22–7–2 (2) | Altynbek Arykbaev | NC (overturned by promoter) | WEF ProFight 36 | August 17, 2019 | 1 | 5:00 | Kara-Suu, Kyrgyzstan | |
| Loss | 22–7–2 (1) | Murad Ramazanov | Decision (unanimous) | Gorets FC: For the Prizes of V. Zolotov | July 6, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Kaspiysk, Russia | |
| Loss | 22–6–2 (1) | Oleg Dadonov | Decision (unanimous) | Battle for Tula 3 | December 21, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Tula, Russia | Return to Welterweight. |
| Win | 22–5–2 (1) | Marcos Yoshio de Souza | TKO (knee and punches) | WEF Global 14 | November 10, 2018 | 3 | 0:29 | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | Defended the WEF Global Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 21–5–2 (1) | Andrey Seledtsov | Submission (hammerlock) | Battle for Tula 2 | September 28, 2018 | 2 | 1:14 | Tula, Russia | Middleweight bout. |
| Loss | 20–5–2 (1) | Kiamrian Abbasov | Decision (unanimous) | WFCA 50 | August 18, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 20–4–2 (1) | Sultan Kiyalov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Alash Pride FC: Shymkent | April 14, 2018 | 2 | 1:58 | Şymkent, Kazakhstan | Catchweight (173.3 lb) bout; Ruziboev missed weight. |
| Win | 19–4–2 (1) | Erzhan Kenzhegulov | Submission (armbar) | Legion FC: Universal Battle 1 | February 8, 2018 | 1 | 3:15 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | |
| Win | 18–4–2 (1) | Igor Bayer | TKO (punches) | WFCA 44 | December 17, 2017 | 1 | N/A | Grozny, Russia | Return to Welterweight. |
| Draw | 17–4–2 (1) | Erbolot Omurzakov | Draw (majority) | WEF Global 10 | November 22, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | Retained the WEF Global Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–4–1 (1) | Amkhad Dzhanchuraev | KO (punches) | Ambitions FC 21 | November 18, 2017 | 1 | 1:40 | Yekaterinburg, Russia | Welterweight bout. |
| Win | 16–4–1 (1) | Artem Kazbanov | KO (knee) | GIT Crimea 2017 | September 23, 2017 | 1 | 0:45 | Yalta, Ukraine | |
| Win | 15–4–1 (1) | Almanbet Nuraly | Submission (armbar) | WEF Global 9 | September 8, 2017 | 1 | 1:50 | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | Return to Middleweight. Won the vacant WEF Global Middleweight Championship. |
| NC | 14–4–1 (1) | Magomed Abdulvagabov | NC (overturned by promoter) | Fight Nights Global 73 | September 4, 2017 | 1 | 4:12 | Kaspiysk, Russia | Originally a submission (armbar) win for Ruziboev; overturned by promoter due to premature stoppage. |
| Loss | 14–4–1 | Dzhokhar Duraev | Decision (unanimous) | ACB 68 | August 26, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Dushanbe, Tajikistan | Return to Welterweight. |
| Draw | 14–3–1 | Eler Narmurzaev | Draw (unanimous) | Legion FC: Unifight 2017 | July 30, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | |
| Win | 14–3 | Aylchi Sultanali | Submission (rear-naked choke) | WEF Selection 11 | July 2, 2017 | 1 | 1:20 | Moscow, Russia | Catchweight (176 lb) bout. |
| Win | 13–3 | Ramazan Gimbatov | Submission (armbar) | Fight Club 777 | May 20, 2017 | 1 | 1:21 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | Won the AFCA Middleweight Tournament. |
| Win | 12–3 | Arman Alimov | Decision (unanimous) | 2 | 5:00 | AFCA Middleweight Tournament Semifinal. | |||
| Win | 11–3 | Artem Reznikov | TKO (knee and punches) | 1 | 1:23 | AFCA Middleweight Tournament Quarterfinal. | |||
| Win | 10–3 | Suyarbek Saifov | KO (punches) | Tajikistan FC: Danghara 2016 | November 27, 2016 | 1 | 3:14 | Danghara, Tajikistan | |
| Loss | 9–3 | Daniyar Abdibaev | Submission (kimura) | WEF Global 6 | October 22, 2016 | 2 | 4:41 | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | |
| Win | 9–2 | Vladimir Katykhin | Decision (unanimous) | N-1 Pro: Asian Fighter 2016 | October 2, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Karaganda, Kazakhstan | Middleweight debut. |
| Win | 8–2 | Orzubek Seytimbetov | Submission (guillotine choke) | Asian FC: Akhmat 2 | December 24, 2015 | 1 | 2:01 | Samarkand, Uzbekistan | |
| Loss | 7–2 | Anvar Chergesov | Decision (unanimous) | Seven Fight 2015 | June 19, 2015 | 2 | 5:00 | Ivanovo, Russia | |
| Win | 7–1 | Islam Yashaev | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ACB 17 | May 2, 2015 | 2 | 3:15 | Grozny, Russia | |
| Win | 6–1 | Rakhmanberdi Tologon | Submission (rear-naked choke) | WEF Global 2 | March 15, 2015 | 1 | 1:56 | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | Lightweight bout. |
| Win | 5–1 | Elshon Muhtarov | Submission (kimura) | Alash Pride: Royal Plaza 2 | January 24, 2015 | 1 | 0:31 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 4–1 | Shahvalat Yusubov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | R-1: Heavyweight Grand Prix 2015 | January 23, 2015 | 1 | 3:59 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | |
| Win | 3–1 | Aziz Ibragimov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Alash Pride: Selection 6 | December 25, 2014 | 1 | 0:38 | Kaskelen, Kazakhstan | Lightweight bout. |
| Loss | 2–1 | Daniyar Babakulov | TKO (punches) | Alash Pride: Royal Plaza 1 | December 13, 2014 | 2 | 0:32 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 2–0 | Kiamrian Abbasov | Submission (guillotine choke) | Alash Pride: Selection 5 | October 26, 2014 | 2 | 1:10 | Kaskelen, Kazakhstan | Welterweight debut. |
| Win | 1–0 | Shamil Rafikov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Alash Pride: Selection 4 | August 16, 2014 | 2 | 1:53 | Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan | Lightweight debut. |
Professional boxing record
| 2 fights | 2 wins | 0 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |