Asu Abaiuly Almabayev (Kazakh: Асу Абайұлы Алмабаев; born January 25, 1994) is a Kazakh professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is also a former Interim M-1 Global Flyweight Champion.
A professional since 2013, Almabayev has quickly risen through the ranks, showcasing his skills and determination in every fight.
Asu Almabayev - Elite Grappler | Why is he Headlining UFC Vegas 103?
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Almabayev was born on January 25, 1994, in the village of Janatalap in the Sarysu District of the Jambyl Region of Kazakhstan. He was raised by his grandparents until he was ten.
At the age of five, he began to train wrestling. When he was in the fifth grade, he and his family moved to Almaty, where he attended other combat sport classes such as karate, boxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In BJJ, Almabayev became the champion of Kazakhstan and Asia.
While in Almaty, Almabayev worked at a market where his parents had a small shop. He worked at the market until he was 23.
Almabayev made his professional MMA debut against Vadim Buseev on June 1, 2013, at Rod Fighting: Shield and Sword 4. After a three-year layoff, Almabayev returned in 2016 and won three early victories in the Alash Pride FC, Tech-Krep FC and Fight Nights Global promotions.
In 2017, he suffered his first defeat at Fight Nights Global 58, losing to current UFC fighter Tagir Ulanbekov. Two months later, Almabayev returned to the cage at the Alash Pride FC tournament and suffered a second defeat, losing to Mehman Mamedov.
Almabayev faced Chris Kelades on October 19, 2019, at M-1 Challenge 105 for the Interim M-1 Global Flyweight Championship.
Almabayev made his Brave Combat Federation debut on August 21, 2021, against Aleksander Doskalchuk at Brave CF 53. Almabayev faced Imram Magaramov on March 11, 2022, at Brave CF 57. Almabayev faced Zach Makovsky on July 30, 2022, at Brave CF 60. Almabayev faced Kenneth Maningat on November 26, 2022, at Brave CF 66.
UFC Career
Almabayev faced C.J. Vergara at UFC 299: O'Malley vs. Vera 2 on March 9, 2024, winning by decision. He then faced Jose Johnson at UFC Fight Night on June 15, 2024, securing another victory by decision. On October 19, 2024, at UFC Fight Night, Almabayev won against Matheus Nicolau by decision.
In 2025, Almabayev was scheduled to face Steve Erceg at UFC Vegas 103, but Erceg was replaced by Allan Nascimento. Later, Royval was out, and Almabayev was in against Manel Kape on March 1, 2025, at UFC Vegas 103, where he lost by knees and punches in Round 3. Almabayev was then set to face Ramazonbek Temirov at UFC Abu Dhabi, but Temirov was pulled from the event. At UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, 2025, Almabayev faced Jose Ochoa and won by decision.
Last night (Sat., Nov. 22, 2025), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) ventured forth to ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar for UFC Qatar. Asu Almabayev snatches victory via submission in the third round against Alex Perez at UFC Qatar. Asu Almabayev heeft zaterdagavond tijdens UFC Qatar voor opschudding gezorgd. De Kazachse vechter versloeg voormalig titeluitdager Alex Perez met een zeldzame staande guillotine. Almabayev submitted Alex Perez in the third round at UFC Fight Night in Qatar.
Fight Record
Here is an overview of Asu Almabayev's professional fight record:
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 22, 2025 | UFC Fight Night | Alex Perez | Win | Guillotine Choke | 3 | 0:22 |
| July 26, 2025 | UFC Fight Night | Jose Ochoa | Win | Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
| March 1, 2025 | UFC Fight Night | Manel Kape | Loss | Knees & Punches | 3 | 2:16 |
| October 19, 2024 | UFC Fight Night | Matheus Nicolau | Win | Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
| June 15, 2024 | UFC Fight Night | Jose Johnson | Win | Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
| March 9, 2024 | UFC 299: O'Malley vs. Vera 2 | CJ Vergara | Win | Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
| August 5, 2023 | UFC Fight Night | Ode Osbourne | Win | Rear Naked Choke | 2 | 3:11 |
| November 26, 2022 | BRAVE CF 66 | Kenneth Maningat | Win | Rear Naked Choke | 2 | 3:30 |
| July 30, 2022 | BRAVE CF 60 | Zach Makovsky | Win | Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
| March 11, 2022 | BRAVE CF 57 | Imram Magaramov | Win | Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
| December 29, 2021 | Naiza FC 36 | Kayck Alencar | Win | Punch | 3 | 0:27 |
| August 21, 2021 | BRAVE CF 53 | Aleksander Doskalchuk | Win | Rear Naked Choke | 2 | 3:47 |
| December 24, 2020 | Naiza FC 27 | Darkhan Skakov | Win | Rear Naked Choke | 1 | 3:29 |
| October 19, 2019 | M-1 Challenge 105 | Chris Kelades | Win | Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
| March 30, 2019 | M-1 Challenge 101 | Pierre Ludet | Win | Guillotine Choke | 2 | 1:45 |
| December 15, 2018 | M-1 Challenge 100 | Kiril Fomenkov | Win | Choke | 2 | 3:51 |
| August 31, 2018 | Fight Nights Global 88 | Saud Karagishov | Win | KO/TKO | 2 | 4:09 |
| April 29, 2018 | Berkut Young Eagles 4 | Shamil Akhmaev | Win | Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
| December 30, 2017 | Alash Pride FC | Kenan Jafarli | Win | Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
| September 9, 2017 | ACB 69: Young Eagles 22 | Ibrahim Mamaev | Win | Choke | 2 | 2:07 |
| April 1, 2017 | Alash Pride FC | Mehman Mamedov | Loss | Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
| January 28, 2017 | Fight Nights Global 58 | Tagir Ulanbekov | Loss | Punches | 3 | 4:51 |
| April 22, 2016 | Fight Nights Global 45 | Galamirza Ayvazov | Win | Armbar | 1 | 3:41 |
| March 3, 2016 | Tech-Krep FC | Oleg Erik | Win | Rear Naked Choke | 1 | 4:04 |
| February 14, 2016 | Alash Pride FC | Yeldos Kaliev | Win | KO/TKO | 1 | 4:32 |
| June 1, 2013 | R.O.D: Shield And Sword 4 | Vadim Buseev | Win | Decision | 2 | 5:00 |
Awards and Achievements
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Ode Osbourne
- Former Interim M-1 Global Flyweight Champion