Undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov, dangerous on the ground Asu Almabaev, rising star Diyar Nurgozhay, and experienced Nikolai Veretennikov. Kazakhstan is represented in the UFC by various personalities and fighting styles — and each of these athletes deserves a separate discussion.
Statistics verified on . Author: BET RATING editorial team.
Who is included in the selection
We consider Kazakh representatives in the UFC, taking into account their results in the organization, the level of opponents, and recent performances. The order of positions is an assessment by the BET RATING editorial team, not the official UFC ranking and not a prediction of future fight results.
According to the list published in August, after the departure of Bekzat Almakhan, five Kazakhs remained on the roster: Rakhmonov, Almabaev, Nurgozhay, Veretennikov, and Alibi Idris. However, being on the roster does not mean that the athlete can fight right now: Idris is currently suspended. Therefore, below are four positions in the main ranking and a separate block about his status.
For this article, representation of Kazakhstan is decisive, not just the place of birth. In particular, Shavkat Rakhmonov was born in Uzbekistan but competes as a Kazakh fighter.
Statistics of Kazakh fighters: MMA and UFC
The MMA record covers the entire professional career; the UFC figure includes only performances in the main promotion. Fights from Dana White’s Contender Series are not added to the UFC record. Format: wins–losses. NC means no contest, not a draw.
| BET RATING Position | Fighter | Category | MMA | UFC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shavkat Rakhmonov | Welterweight | 19–0 | 7–0 |
| 2 | Asu Almabaev | Flyweight | 24–3 | 7–1 |
| 3 | Diyar Nurgozhay | Light Heavyweight | 12–2 | 2–2 |
| 4 | Nikolai Veretennikov | Welterweight | 14–8 | 2–4 |
| Outside the ranking: suspension | Alibi Idris | Flyweight | 10–1; 1 NC | 0–1; 1 NC |
Fight dates are indicated according to the location of the tournaments. In Kazakhstan, due to time zone differences, broadcasts might occur the next day.
1. Shavkat Rakhmonov: versatility that brought Kazakhstan to the big stage
Last fight: December 7, 2024 — victory over Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision at UFC 310.
Main achievements. Rakhmonov has won all 19 professional fights, including seven performances in the UFC. The first 18 victories were finishes: eight by knockout or technical knockout and ten by submission. The fight with Garry was the first in his career to go to a judges' decision.
Fighting style. He is distinguished by the ability to connect different phases of the fight. Standing, he works with straight punches and kicks, uses clinch when closing distance, and seeks control and submission opportunities on the ground. The danger does not disappear when changing distance: evading one attack can open up the next.
What to watch for. The long pause is the main question before his return. Previous results confirm a high level, but do not automatically answer about his form in the next performance.
Why first. Based on the overall achievements in the UFC and the quality of victories, Rakhmonov remains our leader. This is an assessment of the level already shown, not a promise of future championship.
2. Asu Almabaev: control, patience, and rare finishes
Last fight: June 27, 2026 — victory over Charles Johnson by "Sulev's Stretch" submission in the third round, 3:33.
Main achievements. After losing to Manel Kape, Almabaev won against Jose Ochoa, Alex Perez, and Charles Johnson. Three consecutive victories show that the setback did not stop his progress. His overall record reached 24–3.
Fighting style. Asu prefers to make his opponent defend against grappling: he works in clinch, takes them down, and maintains advantageous positions. His task is not just to execute a takedown but to continue the attack afterward. The victory over Johnson well illustrates this logic: control turned into a rare finishing move.
What to watch for. The most interesting matchups are against opponents who can quickly get up and maintain distance. There, preparation for striking and the ability to repeat attempts without losing rhythm are especially important.
Why second. If we evaluate recent results, Almabaev has a strong argument in the debate for leadership. We place Rakhmonov higher due to the overall achievements, but the gap between their tasks is currently more important than the formal number.
3. Diyar Nurgozhay: two victories that changed the course of his career
Last fight: August 8, 2026 — victory over Bruno Lopes by technical knockout at 4:59 of the first round.
Main achievements. Nurgozhay started his UFC career with two losses, but in 2026 he leveled his record in the organization. First, he defeated Rafael Tobias by unanimous decision, then stopped Lopes early. His current stats are 12–2 in MMA and 2–2 in UFC.
Fighting style. A left-handed striker capable of sharply increasing attack intensity. Dangerous at distance, where he can employ his left hand and kicks. It is important for him to maintain comfortable space and not give up initiative in transitions to grappling.
What to watch for. Both losses in the UFC came from opponents' submissions. Therefore, defense on the ground and escapes from bad positions remain important topics for assessment, even after convincing victories.
Why third. We give preference to the fresh streak of two victories. Nurgozhay has yet to prove his belonging to the division's elite, but he managed to change a poor start — this is already a substantial result.
4. Nikolai Veretennikov: striking power and search for stability
Last fight: May 16, 2026 — loss to Chaos Williams by technical knockout in the first round, 3:31.
Main achievements. In February 2026, Veretennikov won by knockout against Nico Price in 1 minute and 42 seconds. Previously, he won against Francisco Prado in the UFC. In total professional statistics — 14 victories, ten of which were achieved by knockout or technical knockout.
```htmlFighting Style. His strong point is striking attacks and the ability to quickly capitalize on a successful moment. In such a fight, much depends on the timing of the approach, the accuracy of the initial strikes, and defense when exiting exchanges.
What to Watch For. The victory over Price and subsequent loss to Williams show both sides of a risky striking confrontation. For further progress, not only flashy finishes are important, but also the repeatability of quality performances.
Why Fourth. Experience and knockout potential deserve attention; however, the current record of 2–4 in the UFC still falls short of the arguments for fighters ranked higher.
Alibi Idris: Why His Status Needs Separate Explanation
Idris reached the finals of the 33rd season of The Ultimate Fighter, but as of the article's date, he cannot compete due to an ongoing suspension. According to an official UFC statement, the sanction period ends on February 21, 2027.
The initial victory over Ode Osbourne on February 21, 2026, has been overturned to No Contest following a positive doping test. Therefore, the correct professional record is 10–1 and one NC, not 11–1. In the UFC, it stands at 0–1 and one NC.
His sporting prospects make sense to discuss after his return to eligibility and new performances. We do not place him in the current ranking of four fighters: contractual status, ability to compete, and athletic form are different matters.
Why Bekzat Almakhan and Azat Maksum Are Not Here
The athlete's fame and experience in the UFC do not make him an active representative of the organization. Bekzat Almakhan has left the roster; Azat Maksum is also listed among former representatives of Kazakhstan in the August roster review. For the same reason, we do not include Damir Ismagulov, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, Sergey Morozov, and Maria Agapova in the current ranking.
Their careers deserve separate coverage. However, combining former and current participants under a heading about active fighters would mislead the reader.
What Makes This Group Interesting
Kazakh representatives in the UFC currently have different tasks. Rakhmonov needs to confirm his level after a break. Almaev needs to develop a successful streak against even tougher opposition. Nurgozhay must turn recovery results into sustainable growth. Veretennikov needs to achieve stability.
Therefore, it is important to watch not only the number in the wins column. In the next fight, the more crucial question is: has the athlete become better at solving problems that previously troubled him? For one, it's takedown defense; for another, it's working the full distance; for a third, it's timing the attack.
This is the intrigue of MMA: two identical records can hide completely different careers, and one loss does not provide a definitive assessment of a fighter.
Sports Materials from BET RATING – on the Website and iPhone
Read analyses and news from the project at betrating.org. For viewing publications on your phone, the BET RATING app for iPhone is available with a news feed and search through materials.
Our rankings help compare the achievements and characteristics of athletes. The order of places does not guarantee an advantage in any specific future fight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best UFC fighter from Kazakhstan according to BET RATING?
First place goes to Shavkat Rakhmonov – based on the totality of professional results and victories in the UFC. When evaluating solely recent performances, Asu Almaev stands out particularly.
Why is there no top-10 or top-15?
The number of places should correspond to the confirmed roster, not the desired length of the title. In this article, there are four positions in the main ranking and a separate block about the suspended Alibi Idris.
Does the break mean Rakhmonov is no longer a UFC fighter?
No. The absence of recent performances does not equate to the end of a career or departure from the organization.
Can Idris's fight with Osbourne be considered a victory?
In the current statistics – no: the initial result has been overturned to NC.
Comments 0
Please log in on the site, чтобы добавить комментарий, лайк или дизлайк.