Otari Tanzilovi Record: 10-2-0

Contender Series and the UFC call

Tanzilovi's spectacular early run included a string of stoppages that showcased his creativity — a first-round spinning-back-kick knockout of Adem Vashakmadze, a flying switch-kick finish of Rafael Ribero Soares, and body-shot stoppages that underlined his pinpoint kicking game. That résumé earned him a Dana White's Contender Series berth in September 2024, where his unbeaten record finally fell: Josias Musasa, himself unbeaten at 7-0, edged him by split decision in the lone loss of Tanzilovi's career. He answered with a unanimous-decision win over Guillermo Torres at Fury FC 101 in February 2025 to keep his momentum, and the UFC came calling. He is scheduled to make his promotional debut against undefeated prospect Shane Collins on June 20, 2026 — a move up to featherweight after a career largely contested at bantamweight.

Fighting style

Tanzilovi is a pure, dynamic striker. Seven of his ten wins have come by knockout — a 70 percent finish rate — and his finishes read like a kickboxing clinic: spinning back kicks, flying switch kicks, and body kicks that fold opponents in half. He fights from an active, bouncing stance, breaking opponents down to all three levels before pouring on combinations. His only loss, a split-decision defeat to an unbeaten opponent on the Contender Series, came in the judges' hands rather than from being hurt, suggesting his sharpest test will be opponents who can drag him into close, grinding exchanges and neutralize his spacing rather than trade with him at range.

Career highlights

• UFC debut booked — signed by the UFC and matched with undefeated Shane Collins for a June 20, 2026 Octagon bow at featherweight.
• Highlight-reel finishing — seven knockouts in ten wins, including a spinning-back-kick and a flying switch-kick stoppage that captured his creative striking.
• Tested against unbeaten opposition — his only defeat was a razor-thin split decision to 7-0 Josias Musasa on the Contender Series, the lone blemish on a 10-1 ledger.