Saparbek Safarov
Russian mixed martial artist (born 1986)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saparbek Dibirovich Safarov (Russian: Сапарбек Сафаров; born 14 October 1986)[4] is a Russian mixed martial artist, who competes in the light heavyweight division. He competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[5][3]
October 14, 1986
Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia
| Saparbek Safarov Сапарбек Сафаров | |
|---|---|
| Born | Saparbek Dibirovich Safarov October 14, 1986 Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight Light Heavyweight Middleweight (2020–present) |
| Reach | 78 in (198 cm) |
| Style | Sambo, Freestyle wrestling |
| Fighting out of | Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia |
| Team | Legion Fight Team[1] K Dojo Warrior Tribe Eagles MMA Dagestan |
| Rank | Master of Sports in Freestyle Wrestling[2][3] Master of Sports in Combat Sambo[2][3] |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 13 |
| Wins | 10 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Mixed martial arts career
Safarov started his career with 8 straight victories that included 6 knockouts and 2 submissions. He was then called in for a short replacement fight against Gian Villante. Gian's original opponent, Patrick Cummins, pulled out of the fight with a staph infection.[6] Safarov suffered the first loss of his career by knockout in a back and forth fight.[7] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night for their performance.[8]
Safarov was next expected to fight Marcos Rogério de Lima at UFC Fight Night 115. However, Lima tested positive for banned anabolic steroids and the bout was cancelled.[9]
Safarov faced Tyson Pedro on February 11, 2018 at UFC 221. He lost the fight via kimura submission in the first round.[10]
Safarov was expected to face Alonzo Menifield on November 10, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 139.[11] However, it was reported on October 21, 2018 that Safarov pulled out from the event due to undisclosed reasons and the bout was scrapped.[12]
Safarov was scheduled to face Gökhan Saki on March 16, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 147.[13] However, Saki pulled out of the fight in late February due to an undisclosed injury.[14] Saki was replaced by Nicolae Negumereanu.[15] Safarov won the fight via unanimous decision.[16]
Safarov was expected to face promotional newcomer Da Un Jung on August 31, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 157.[17] However, on August 5, 2019, Safarov was pulled from the bout for undisclosed reasons.[18]
Safarov faced Rodolfo Vieira in a middleweight bout on March 7, 2020 at UFC 248.[19] He lost the fight via an arm-triangle submission in the first round.[20]
Safarov was scheduled to face Julian Marquez on August 29, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 175.[21] However, the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos on November 14 after Safarov faced travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[22] In turn, Safarov pulled out due to weight cut issues a day before the event and the pairing was canceled once again.[23]
On December 8, 2020, it was announced that the UFC had released him.[24]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
| 13 matches | 10 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 1 |
| By submission | 2 | 2 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 10–3 | Ramdan Mohhamed | TKO (punches) | MFP 240 - Modern Fighting Pankration 240 | May 25, 2023 | 1 | 2:16 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Loss | 9–3 | Rodolfo Vieira | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC 248 | March 7, 2020 | 1 | 2:58 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Middleweight debut. |
| Win | 9–2 | Nicolae Negumereanu | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal | March 16, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | Safarov was deducted a point in round 1 for continuously grabbing the cage. |
| Loss | 8–2 | Tyson Pedro | Submission (kimura) | UFC 221 | February 11, 2018 | 1 | 3:54 | Perth, Australia | |
| Loss | 8–1 | Gian Villante | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov | December 9, 2016 | 2 | 2:54 | Albany, New York, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 8–0 | Rodney Wallace | TKO (corner stoppage) | WFCA 17 | April 9, 2016 | 2 | 5:00 | Grozny, Russia | |
| Win | 7–0 | Giga Kukhalashvili | Submission (triangle choke) | ProFC 54 | September 7, 2014 | 1 | 2:13 | Rostov-on-Don, Russia | |
| Win | 6–0 | Valdas Pocevicius | KO (punches) | Battle of Stars 1 | December 22, 2012 | 1 | 0:00 | Makhachkala, Russia | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Win | 5–0 | Igor Sliusarchuk | TKO (punches) | World Ultimate Full Contact | December 24, 2011 | 1 | 2:54 | Makhachkala, Russia | |
| Win | 4–0 | Igor Litoshik | TKO (punches) | M-1 Global | June 4, 2011 | 1 | 3:00 | Kyiv, Ukraine | |
| Win | 3–0 | Adrian Mallebranche | TKO (punches) | M-1 Selection 2011 | April 1, 2011 | 1 | 0:04 | Makhachkala, Russia | |
| Win | 2–0 | Vasily Klepikov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | M-1 Selection 2010 | February 12, 2011 | 1 | 1:18 | Kyiv, Ukraine | |
| Win | 1–0 | Visampasha Mirzakhanov | TKO (punches) | Legion Fight 5 | November 20, 2010 | 1 | 0:49 | Krasnodar, Russia |