Muin Gafurov Record: 20-7-0

Pre-UFC marquee bouts

Among his most notable wins before the UFC was a first-round knockout of veteran Leandro Issa under the ONE Championship banner in 2018, a finish that showcased his power against an experienced opponent. The following year he ran into former multi-promotion champion John Lineker, dropping a unanimous decision – a learning experience against one of the division's heaviest hitters.

UFC run

Gafurov reached the UFC in 2023 and had a rocky start. He dropped his debut by unanimous decision to John Castañeda, then was submitted in the first round by Said Nurmagomedov at UFC 294. Facing a two-fight skid, he steadied his footing in 2024, outpointing the durable Kyung Ho Kang by unanimous decision. He followed it with arguably the best win of his UFC tenure at UFC 311 in January 2025, handing previously unbeaten prospect Rinya Nakamura his first professional loss via unanimous decision. The momentum stopped in February 2026, when he was submitted by guillotine in the third round by Jakub Wikłacz.

Fighting style

Gafurov is one of the more entertaining fighters in the bantamweight division, blending a combat sambo and wrestling foundation with genuinely unorthodox striking – he owns multiple finishes by spinning back kick to the body, a signature weapon. Ten of his 20 wins have come by knockout and seven by submission, an 85% finish rate that speaks to how dangerous he is when he gets going. The flip side is durability and consistency at the elite level: all seven of his losses have come by decision or submission, and his UFC defeats have exposed vulnerabilities in his grappling defense against high-level opponents. When he finds his rhythm, though, few 135-pounders are more explosive.

Career highlights

• Beat an unbeaten prospect — handed Rinya Nakamura his first pro loss at UFC 311, his standout Octagon performance.
• Spinning-kick finisher — scored multiple knockouts via spinning back kick to the body, one of the rarest finishing weapons in the sport.
• 85% career finish rate — closed out 17 of his 20 wins by knockout or submission, built on a decorated combat sambo background.