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]

Saparbek Safarov
Сапарбек Сафаров
BornSaparbek Dibirovich Safarov
(1986-10-14) October 14, 1986 (age 37)
Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia
NationalityRussian
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight (2020–present)
Reach78 in (198 cm)
StyleSambo, Freestyle wrestling
Fighting out ofMakhachkala, Dagestan, Russia
TeamLegion Fight Team[1]
K Dojo Warrior Tribe
Eagles MMA Dagestan
RankMaster of Sports in Freestyle Wrestling[2][3]
Master of Sports in Combat Sambo[2][3]
Years active2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total13
Wins10
By knockout7
By submission2
By decision1
Losses3
By knockout1
By submission2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career edit

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 edit

Mixed martial arts edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
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

[25]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Сапарбек Сафаров - Спортивный клуб "Оплот"". www.oplotmma.com.
  2. ^ a b Сапарбек Сафаров - биография, история поединков, новости о бойце (in Russian). MMAoctagon.ru. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Saparbek Safarov - Official UFC Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  4. ^ MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SHOW RESULTSDATE: March 7th, 2020
  5. ^ Sherdog.com. "Saparbek Safarov". Sherdog.
  6. ^ "Patrick Cummins Withdraws from UFC Albany Bout with Gian Villante - MMAWeekly.com". www.mmaweekly.com.
  7. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-12-09). "UFC Fight Night 102 results: Gian Villante tops Saparbek Safarov in back-and-forth brawl". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
  8. ^ Mike Sloan (2016-12-09). "UFC Fight Night 102 bonuses: Villante, Safarov, Ngannou, Meerschaert all pocket $50K". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
  9. ^ "De Lima flagged by USADA, pulled from UFC Fight Night 115". 11 August 2017.
  10. ^ "UFC 221 results: Tyson Pedro submits Saparbek Safarov in opening round". 10 February 2018.
  11. ^ Davidson Baker (2018-08-21). "Alonzo Menifield-Saparbek Safarov added To UFC Denver". themmatakeover.com. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  12. ^ DNA, MMA (2018-10-21). "Alonzo Menifield vs. Saparbek Safarov gecanceld voor UFC Denver". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  13. ^ Oleś, Bartosz (2018-12-26). "Gokhan Saki vs. Saparbek Safarov planowane na UFC on ESPN+5 w Londynie". InTheCage.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  14. ^ Marcel Dorff (2019-02-28). "Gökhan Saki injured, will not fight in London" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  15. ^ Marcel Dorff (March 2019). "Nick Negumereanu makes UFC debut against Saparbeg Saforov during UFC London". mmadna.com. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  16. ^ "UFC London results: Saparbek Safarov survives point deduction to defeat Nicolae Negumereanu". MMA Junkie. 2019-03-16. Retrieved 2019-03-17.
  17. ^ Staff (2019-07-01). "Saparbek Safarov meets newcomer Da Un Jung during UFC Shenzhen". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-07-01.
  18. ^ "Fresh off of DWCS victory, Jamahal Hill steps in to fight Da Un Jung at UFC on ESPN+ 15". MMA Junkie. 2019-08-02. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
  19. ^ Redactie (2020-01-07). "BJJ wizard Rodolfo Vieira meets Saparbek Safarov during UFC 248 in Las Vegas". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2020-01-07.(in Dutch)
  20. ^ Doherty, Dan (2020-03-07). "UFC 248 Results: Rodolfo Vieira Chokes Out Saparbek Safarov in First Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  21. ^ "Julian Marquez vs. Saparbeg Safarov joins UFC's Aug. 29 lineup". MMA Junkie. 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  22. ^ David Tees (2020-08-24). "Julian Marquez vs. Saparbeg Safarov moved to November 14 UFC card". fightful.com. Retrieved 2020-08-20.
  23. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2020-11-13). "Julian Marquez vs. Saparbeg Safarov off of UFC Vegas 14 due to Safarov weight issues". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  24. ^ "Brasileiro-uruguaio é incluído em nova leva da barca de demissões do UFC". www.globoesporte.globo.com (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  25. ^ Sherdog.com. "Saparbek Safarov MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-12-27.

External links edit