Muhammad Naimov Record: 13-4-0

UFC arrival and climb

Naimov announced himself in emphatic fashion. In June 2023 he stopped the rugged Jamie Mullarkey by second-round TKO, a statement debut that flashed his finishing power. He followed it with a measured unanimous-decision win over the experienced Nathaniel Wood on the massive UFC 294 card in October 2023, proving he could grind out three hard rounds against a polished veteran. The run continued in February 2024 when an early leg injury forced a first-round TKO stoppage against Erik Silva, pushing Naimov's UFC start to a perfect mark.

Adversity and resilience

The undefeated UFC run ended in June 2024, when Felipe Lima caught him with a third-round rear-naked choke. Naimov regrouped impressively, banking back-to-back unanimous-decision victories over Kaan Ofli in February 2025 and the highly regarded Bogdan Grad that June. His momentum was checked again in December 2025, when Mairon Santos handed him a third-round TKO loss at UFC 323. Even with those bumps, Naimov sits at 13-4 with a 62% finish rate and remains a featherweight with the tools to hurt anyone.

Fighting style

Naimov is a striker first, and the numbers reflect it: six of his 13 wins have come by knockout, the dividend of a world-class taekwondo base that gives him sharp, unorthodox kicking angles and heavy hands. He is more than a one-dimensional kicker, though, with two submission wins on his ledger and the wrestling-and-clinch durability to win decisions when finishes do not come. His losses have tended to arrive against grappling-heavy opponents and pressure fighters, an honest reminder of where the toughest tests lie, but his offensive output and finishing instinct keep him a threat in any exchange.

Career highlights

• Statement UFC debut — stopped the durable Jamie Mullarkey by second-round TKO in June 2023, immediately establishing himself as a finishing threat in the featherweight division.
• Tajik flag-bearer — built a 13-4 professional record and a winning UFC run while carrying the banner for Tajikistan on the sport's biggest stage.
• Elite taekwondo pedigree — a multiple-time Asian Junior Championship gold medalist whose decorated striking background translates directly into a 62% career finish rate.