Ismail Naurdiev Record: 26-8-0

UFC tenure

Naurdiev made an immediate impression in 2019, taking a unanimous decision over experienced Michel Prazeres in his promotional debut. He then dropped a unanimous decision to Chance Rencountre before rebounding with a decision win over Siyar Bahadurzada later that year. A 2020 unanimous-decision loss to undefeated prospect Sean Brady closed out his first UFC stint.

Regional rebuild and return

Away from the UFC, Naurdiev competed largely in BRAVE CF, where his results were mixed – including a 2022 first-round armbar loss to Marcin Bandel – but he kept finishing opponents and stayed active. The work paid off with a return to the UFC, this time at a higher weight: he opened with a unanimous-decision win over Bruno Silva at UFC 308 in October 2024. After a unanimous-decision loss to Jun Yong Park in June 2025, he bounced back emphatically, scoring a first-round knockout of Ryan Loder in November 2025.

Fighting style

Naurdiev is one of the more dynamic strikers in his weight range, blending a decorated wrestling base with creative, kick-first offense – spinning kicks, body kicks and knees that have produced highlight finishes. His numbers tell the story: 13 of his 25 wins are knockouts, with six more by submission, for a 76% finish rate that ranks among the best on this list. That aggression is also his risk profile; his eight losses, split across knockouts, submissions and decisions, often come when opponents weather his early storm and drag him into grinding, control-heavy fights. At his best, though, he is a genuine threat to end a bout from anywhere.

Career highlights

• 76% career finish rate — 13 knockouts and six submissions across a 25-8 record, among the most finish-heavy résumés in his division.
• UFC debut statement — a short-notice unanimous-decision win over veteran Michel Prazeres in 2019 announced his arrival.
• Resilient comeback — rebuilt on the regional circuit and returned to the UFC, capped by a first-round knockout of Ryan Loder in November 2025.