Ikram Aliskerov Record: 18-2-0

Brave CF foundation

The arc started to take shape in 2018, when Aliskerov edged a then-undefeated Chad Hanekom by split decision at Brave CF 10, showing he could win a tough three-round fight on the regional stage. After the Chimaev loss, he reeled off a long unbeaten run, including a third-round kimura submission of Denis Tiuliulin at Brave CF 41 in 2020 and a unanimous-decision win over veteran Nah-shon Burrell at Eagle FC 46 in 2022 that underlined his growing polish.

UFC arrival and middleweight climb

Aliskerov announced himself in the Octagon with a brutal first-round knockout of Phil Hawes at UFC 288 in May 2023, then followed it with an even more spectacular finish – a flying knee and punches that flattened Warlley Alves in the first round at UFC 294 in October 2023. That hot start earned him a major step up against former champion Robert Whittaker in June 2024, and Whittaker handed him the second loss of his career with a first-round knockout. Aliskerov rebounded emphatically, stopping André Muniz by first-round TKO in April 2025 before grinding out a unanimous-decision win over Jun Yong Park at UFC 321 in October 2025, showing he could also win the hard, three-round way.

Fighting style

Aliskerov is a rare combat sambo product who is just as comfortable winning on the feet as on the mat. Seven of his 17 wins have come by knockout and five by submission, a 71% finish rate that reflects genuine two-way danger. His best work blends explosive entries, heavy single shots and a constantly threatening kimura, and he is willing to keep fights standing when the striking is going his way. The flip side is the chin question raised by his two losses, both first-round knockouts to elite competition – when he has been caught, it has been decisive, making his composure against the division's hardest hitters the key variable in how high he climbs.

Career highlights

• Decorated combat sambo champion — a multiple-time world and European medalist on the mat before MMA, giving him one of the deepest grappling pedigrees in the middleweight division.
• Highlight-reel UFC start — opened his Octagon run by stopping Phil Hawes and Warlley Alves in the first round, the latter with a flying-knee finish.
• Bounce-back contender — answered a tough knockout loss to former champion Robert Whittaker with finishes and decisions to stay in the 185-pound mix.