Islam Murtazaev (Russian: Ислам Муртазаев; born April 13, 1991) is a Russian kickboxer and mixed martial artist. As of March 2023, he is ranked as the fourth best middleweight in the world by Beyond Kickboxing.[2]

Islam Murtazaev
BornИслам Муртазаев
(1991-04-13) April 13, 1991 (age 33)
Dagestan ASSR, Russia SFSR, Soviet Union
NationalityRussian
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight86 kg (190 lb; 13.5 st)
DivisionLightweight (ONE)
Welterweight
Middleweight
StyleMuay Thai, Kickboxing
Fighting out ofPattaya, Thailand
Moscow, Russia
TeamVenum Training Camp Thailand
Varyag Gym[1]
TrainerArtyom Grigoriev
Mehdi Zatout
Kickboxing record
Total30
Wins23
By knockout6
Losses7
By knockout0
Medal record
Men's Muay Thai
Representing  Russia
IFMA World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2015 Bangkok 75 kg
WMF World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2016 Bangkok 75 kg

Biography and career edit

Early career edit

Murtazaev grew up in Dagestan where he trained in wrestling before transitioning to Muay Thai at the age of 10. He competed as an amateur until 2016 when he quit his job as an oil and gas extraction engineer and moved to Thailand.[3][4]

On September 29, 2017, Murtazaev took part in the EM Legend -75 kg World Tournament finals. In the semi-finals he defeated Jordan Tai by decision. He faced Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong in the final, after 3 rounds the judges declared the fight a draw, an extra round was fought which Murtazaev won by split decision to capture the title.[5]

On April 8, 2016, Murtazaev took part in the 2016 Kunlun Fight -75 kg World Tournament. He faced Alim Nabiev in the final 16 round and was eliminated after losing the fight by unanimous decision.[6]

On November 30, 2018, Murtazaev faced Omar Moreno in a KOK World Series event in Spain. He won the fight with by tornado kick knockout in the first round.[7]

Murtazaev faced Chanajon P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym at THAI FIGHT Chiang Mai on December 23, 2017. He lost the fight by decision.[8]

Murtazaev faced Omar Moreno in his King of Kings debut at KOK World Series on November 30, 2018. He won the fight by a first-round knockout.[9]

Murtazaev was booked to face Sher Mamazulunov at Wu Lin Feng 2019: WLF China vs Russia on September 20, 2019, in an WLF-Orion cross-promotional event. Murtazaev won the fight by unanimous decision. The bout was later awarded "Fight of the Year" honors at the 2019 "The Orion Awards".[10]

ONE Championship edit

Murtazaev challenged Regian Eersel for the ONE Lightweight World Championship at ONE: Winter Warriors on December 3, 2021.[11] He lost the bout via split decision.[12]

Murtazaev was expected to face the former Glory Welterweight Champion Nieky Holzken at ONE: X on March 26, 2022.[13] The bout was later cancelled, as all Russian fighters were removed from ONE events taking place in Singapore.[14]

Murtazaev was expected to face Sinsamut Klinmee at ONE 159 on July 22, 2022.[15] Murtazaev later withdrew because of a "family emergency" and was replaced by Liam Nolan.[16]

Murtazaev was expected to face the former Glory welterweight champion Nieky Holzken at ONE 162 on October 21, 2022.[17] Holzken withdrew with an injury on October 17 and was replaced by Constantin Rusu.[18] Murtazaev lost the fight by unanimous decision.[19]

Murtazaev faced Ahmet Kılıç at REN TV Fight Club on November 18, 2022.[20] He won the fight by a first-round knockout.[21]

Murtazaev challenged Sergey Ponomarev for the Russian National -86 kg title at REN TV Fight Club on February 17, 2023.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]

Murtazaev was expected to face Jonatan Oliveira for the vacant WKU K-1 World -86 kg title at the November 18, 2023, REN TV Fight Club event. Oliveira withdrew with a torn biceps on November 15 and was replaced by the undefeated Sina Kazemi.[24] Murtazaev won the fight by a first-round knockout.[25]

Titles and accomplishments edit

Professional edit

  • EM Legend
    • 2017 EM Legend World -75 kg Champion
  • Russian Kickboxing Federation
    • 2023 Russian K-1 -86 kg Championship
  • World Karate and Kickboxing Union
    • 2023 WKU K-1 World -86 kg Champion

Amateur edit

Awards

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
1 match 1 win 0 losses
By knockout 1 0
By submission 0 0
By decision 0 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 1–0 Ali Rezaelian TKO (submission to punches) Mix Fight Events 46 27 March 2021 2 N/A Yerevan, Armenia

Muay Thai & Kickboxing record edit

Professional record
23 Wins (6 (T)KOs), 7 Losses, 0 Draws
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2023-11-18 Win   Sina Kazemi REN TV Fight Club Sochi, Russia KO (Spinning back fist) 1 3:00
Won the vacant WKU K-1 World -86 kg title.
2023-02-17 Win   Sergey Ponomarev REN TV Fight Club Minsk, Belarus Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Won the Russian Kickboxing Federation K-1 -86 kg title.
2022-11-18 Win   Ahmet Kılıç REN TV Fight Club Moscow, Russia KO (Jumping knee) 1 2:37
2022-10-21 Loss   Constantin Rusu ONE 162 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2021-12-03 Loss   Regian Eersel ONE: Winter Warriors Kallang, Singapore Decision (Split) 5 3:00
For the ONE Kickboxing Lightweight Championship.
2019-09-20 Win   Sher Mamazulunov Wu Lin Feng 2019: WLF China vs Russia Moscow, Russia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2019-07-21 Loss   Sinsamut Klinmee Muaythai Night 5 Moscow, Russia Decision (Split) 5 3:00
2018-11-30 Win   Omar Moreno KOK World Series Valencia, Spain KO (Tornado Kick) 1 1:35
2018-05-12 Win   Nicolas Mendes Mix Fight 36 Bilbao, Spain KO (Spinning elbow) 3 1:38
2017-12-23 Loss   Chanajon P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym THAI FIGHT Chiang Mai Chiang Mai, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
2017-12-02 Win   Tang Xiaofeng EM Legend 26 Emei, China Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2017-10-28 Win   Oleg Shamsheev Grand Prix Russia Open 150 Moscow, Russia Decision 3 3:00
2017-09-29 Win   Rungrawee KemMuaythaigym EM Legend 23, Final Yilong, China Ext.R Decision (Split) 4 3:00
Wins the EM Legend World -75kg Tournament.
2017-09-29 Win   Jordan Tai EM Legend 23, Semi-final Yilong, China Decision 3 3:00
2017-05-28 Win   Evgeny Vorontsov Grand Prix Russia Open Russia Decision 3 3:00
2016-12-23 Win   Ali Qaradaghi EM Legend 15 Emei, China Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2016-11-19 Win   Yurik Davtyan THAI FIGHT AIR RACE 1 Rayong, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
2016-10-15 Win   Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee THAI FIGHT Chengdu Chengdu, China Decision 3 3:00
2016-08- Win   PFC K1 super fight China
2016- Win   Super Muaythai Thailand KO (Spinning back fist)
2016-04-08 Loss   Alim Nabiev Kunlun Fight 41, 75 kg Tournament Final 16 Xining, China Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2016-03-13 Win   Praipayak Sor.Sueaphet Super Muay Thai Thailand KO (Spinning back fist) 3
2016-02-14 Win   Achim Schoepf Super Muay Thai Thailand Decision 3 3:00
2016-01-17 Loss   Hamza Ngoto MAX Muay Thai Pattaya, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
2013-08-31 Loss   Anatoly Moiseev Oracul Fight Zone 2013 Russia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes
Amateur record
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2016-03-21 Win   Marc Sauterg 2016 WMF World Championship, Final Bangkok, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
Wins 2016 WMF World Championships -75kg title.
2016-03-20 Win   Bernardo Carvalho 2016 WMF World Championship, Semi-final Bangkok, Thailand KO
2015-08-23 Loss   Hamza Ngoto 2015 IFMA World Championship, Final Bangkok, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
Wins 2015 IFMA World Championships -75kg Silver Medal.
2015-08- Win   Burim Rama 2015 IFMA World Championship, Semi-final Bangkok, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
2015-08- Win   Derek Jolivette 2015 IFMA World Championship, Quarter-final Bangkok, Thailand TKO 1
2015-08- Win   Mausuzbek 2015 IFMA World Championship, Round of 16 Bangkok, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
2015-03-16 Loss   Nikolai Vasilenko 2015 Russian Cup Russia Decision 3 3:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Islam Murtazaev". onefc.com. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Rankings March 2023". beyondkick.com. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Who Is Kickboxing World Title Challenger Islam Murtazaev?". onefc.com. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Islam Murtazaev — About His Work at Gazprom, Muay Thai And Transition to MMA". telecomasia.net. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  5. ^ "读秒潇杀狂、击败隆拉威,这位峨眉传奇75KG王者不容忽视!". sohu.com. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Kunlun Fight 41 Results - Muay Thai Authority".
  7. ^ "KOK World Series in Spain: results". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Thai Fight Bangkok Results: Chanajon Scores Highlight-Reel Knockout, Saenchai Wins 34th Straight". Combat Press. 2018-01-27. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  9. ^ "Video: Islam Murtazaev vs Omar Moreno". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Ramazanov Voted Fighter of the Year". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  11. ^ "Eersel, Murtazaev Out For Respect At ONE Winter Warriors". blackbeltmag.com. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  12. ^ "ONE Championship 'Winter Warriors' Results: Stamp Wins Grand Prix, Eersel Defends". Combat Press. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  13. ^ "Nieky Holzken faces Islam Murtazaev at ONE: 'X'". asianmma.com. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  14. ^ Taylor, Tom; Atkin, Nick (12 March 2022). "ONE Championship's Russian fighters removed from cards in Singapore – 'it's just about international sentiment', Chatri Sityodtong says". scmp.com. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  15. ^ Kuhl, Dan (28 June 2022). "Sinsamut Klinmee Vs. Islam Murtazaev Is The Hidden Gem Of ONE 159". combatpress.com. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  16. ^ Taylor, Tom (20 July 2022). "ONE Championship 159 line-up updated with new matchups after last-minute cancellations". scmp.com. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  17. ^ Pico, Borna (2 October 2022). "Sitthichai takes on undefeated Mohammed Boutasaa, Dutch legend Nieky Holzken vs. Murtazev set for Oct. 21". beyondkick.com. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  18. ^ "More ONE 162 Fight Card Changes". fightsports.tv. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  19. ^ "Россиянин Муртазаев Проиграл Молдаванину Русу В Бою По Правилам Кикбоксинга На Турнире ONE Championship 162". matchtv.ru. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Murtazaev spoke about preparations for the fight against Turk Kilich". en.rayalauma.com. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  21. ^ "Россиянин Ислам Муртазаев ударом в челюсть победил турецкого соперника Ахмеда Килича". iz.ru. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  22. ^ "Туйнов предрек победу Муртазаева в поединке с Пономаревым". iz.ru. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  23. ^ "Муртазаев одержал победу над Пономаревым в бою "Бойцовского клуба РЕН ТВ"". iz.ru. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  24. ^ Пескова, Валентина (18 November 2023). "Муртазаев пообещал "сломать" иранца Каземи в предстоящем бою". Известия (in Russian). Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  25. ^ Заздравин, Игнат (18 November 2023). "Муртазаев победил Каземи нокаутом на турнире "Бойцовского клуба РЕН ТВ"". sport-express.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  26. ^ "IFMA Finals". muaythai.sport. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  27. ^ "MASTER PROGRAMME & RESULTS IFMA ROYAL WORLD CUP 2015 August 13 - 23 2015 Bangkok,Thailand" (PDF). muaythai.lt. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  28. ^ "PROAM MUAYTHAI WMF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2016 14th March – 21st March 2016 The Street Ratchada, Bangkok - Thailand" (PDF). muaythairussia.ru/. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  29. ^ "Orion Awards 2019". kickboxingz.com. Retrieved 30 January 2022.

External links edit