Ali Isaevich Isaev (Russian: Али Исаевич Исаев; born 18 December 1983) is a Russian-Azerbaijani professional mixed martial artist and former amateur wrestler who competed in the Heavyweight division. He has also formerly competed for Bellator MMA, Fight Nights Global[3][4] and Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he was the 2019 Heavyweight Tournament Champion. He competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in men's freestyle wrestling at 125 kilos where Isaev placed 17th.[5]

Ali Isaev
Али Исаев
BornAli Isaevich Isaev
(1983-12-18) December 18, 1983 (age 41)
Makhachkala, Dagestan ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
ResidenceMakhachkala, Dagestan, Russia
NationalityAzerbaijani
Russian
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight265 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach78 in (198 cm)[1]
StyleFreestyle wrestling
Fighting out ofMakhachkala, Dagestan, Russia[2]
TeamGamid Gamidov WC.
TrainerShmail Omarov
RankInternational Master of Sports in Freestyle wrestling
Years active2016–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total10
Wins9
By knockout4
By decision5
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing  Azerbaijan
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2009 Vilnius 120 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Tampere 120 kg

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Ali Isaev was born to a Dargin family on 18 December 1983 in the city Makhatchkala. Isaev is a Freestyle wrestling European champion. He made his professional MMA debut in April 2016. He fought his first four fights exclusively for Fight Nights Global and went undefeated with two decision wins and two knockout wins.

Professional Fighters League

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PFL season 2019

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In the summer of 2019, Isaev began competing in the Heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League.[6] In his debut, he defeated Valdrin Istrefi by unanimous decision at PFL 3 on June 6, 2019. In his second fight for the promotion, Isayev defeated Carl Seumanutafa also by unanimous decision at PFL 6 on August 8, 2019.

On October 31, 2019, he fought twice in one night in the 2019 PFL Heavyweight tournament.[7] He defeated Kelvin Tiller by decision and Denis Goltsov by TKO in the quarterfinal and semifinal bouts, respectively. He faced Jared Rosholt in the finals at PFL 10 on December 31, 2019. Isayev won the fight via TKO in the fourth round to claim the 2019 Heavyweight Championship.

PFL season 2021

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Isaev was scheduled to face promotional newcomer Hatef Moeil on May 6, 2021, at PFL 3.[8] However, during the week of the event, it was announced that the bout was pulled due to unknown reasons and would be rescheduled for June.[9]

Isaev was scheduled to face Renan Ferreira on June 25, 2021, at PFL 6.[10] Isaev was forced to withdraw from the event after not being medically cleared to compete. Stepping in for Isaev to fight Renan Ferreira was PFL newcomer Stuart Austin.[11]

PFL season 2022

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Isaev was scheduled to face Klidson Abreu on April 28, 2022, at PFL 2.[12] However, Isaev pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Adam Keresh.[13]

Isaev was scheduled to face Jamelle Jones on June 24, 2022, at PFL 5.[14] However, Isaev once again pulled out of the bout.[15]

Bellator MMA

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On September 30, 2022, it was announced that Isaev had signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.[16]

Isaev made his Bellator debut against Steve Mowry on February 4, 2023, at Bellator 290.[17] The bout concluded in a unanimous draw.[18]

Isaev was scheduled to face Daniel James on November 17, 2023 at Bellator 301.[19] The week of the event, the bout was scrapped for unknown reasons.[20]

Personal life

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Isaev has Azerbaijani citizenship. After signing his contract with Bellator, he got a United States visa using his Azerbaijani passport.[21]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
10 matches 9 wins 0 losses
By knockout 4 0
By decision 5 0
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Draw 9–0–1 Steve Mowry Draw (unanimous) Bellator 290 February 4, 2023 3 5:00 Inglewood, California, United States
Win 9–0 Jared Rosholt TKO (punches) PFL 10 (2019) December 31, 2019 4 4:09 New York City, New York, United States Won the 2019 PFL Heavyweight Tournament.
Win 8–0 Denis Goltsov TKO (punches) PFL 9 (2019) October 31, 2019 3 4:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 2019 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 7–0 Kelvin Tiller Decision (unanimous) 2 5:00 2019 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 6–0 Carl Seumanutafa Decision (unanimous) PFL 6 (2019) August 8, 2019 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 5–0 Valdrin Istrefi Decision (unanimous) PFL 3 (2019) June 6, 2019 3 5:00 Uniondale, New York, United States
Win 4–0 Alexander Gladkov KO (spinning wheel kick and punches) Fight Nights Global 90: Mineev vs. Ismailov October 19, 2018 1 1:36 Moscow, Russia
Win 3–0 Vladimir Daineko TKO (punches) Fight Nights Global 83: Alibekov vs. Aliev February 23, 2018 2 0:40 Moscow, Russia
Win 2–0 Mikhail Kabargin Decision (unanimous) Fight Nights Global 53: Day 1 - Gimbatov vs. Shokalo October 7, 2016 3 5:00 Moscow, Russia
Win 1–0 Timofey Mishev Decision (unanimous) Fight Nights Global 46: Mokhnatkin vs. Kudin April 29, 2016 3 5:00 Moscow, Russia Heavyweight debut.

Freestyle record

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World Championships & Olympic Games Matches
Res. Opponent Score Date Event Location
2010 World Championships
Loss   Ioannis Arzoumanidis 0–1, 0–1 September 6–12, 2010 2010 World Wrestling Championships   Moscow, Russia
Win   Aleksey Shemarov 1-0, 6-0
Loss   Artur Taymazov 0–1, 3–2,0-1
Win   Andrei Podsevalnicov 3-0, 4-0
Win   Hugues Onanena 2-0, 5-0
2009 World Championships
Loss   Tervel Dlagnev 0–1, 0–4 September 21–29, 2009 2009 World Wrestling Championships   Herning, Denmark
Win   Marid Mutalimov 2-0, 1-0
Win   Yonsi Sánchez 1–0, 1–0
2008 Summer Olympics
Loss   Disney Rodríguez 0–1, 0–4 August 21, 2008 2008 Summer Olympics   Beijing, China
Loss   Artur Taymazov 0-2, 3-4
2007 World Championships
Loss   Artur Taymazov 0–1, 0–4 September 17–23, 2007 2007 World Wrestling Championships   Baku, Azerbaijan
Win   Ganzorigiin Gankhuyag 3–5, 3–0 F
Win   Maksymilian Witek 4–2, 1–0 F

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ali Isaev". www.pflmma.com.
  2. ^ "Ali Isaev". sherdog.com. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  3. ^ "Али Исаев vs. Тимофей Мишев: шансы 54% на 46% | Новости | FIGHT NIGHTS".
  4. ^ IOC. "Beijing 2008 Super-Heavyweight, Freestyle (≤120 kilograms) Men Results - Olympic wrestling". Olympics.com. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  5. ^ "Olympics-Wrestling-Freestyle men's 120kg repechage round results". Reuters. 2008-08-21. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  6. ^ "Чемпион Европы по борьбе Али Исаев выиграл первый бой в PFL - NEWS.ru — 07.06.19".
  7. ^ "Fight Card - 2019 PFL 9". PFL.
  8. ^ Petzel-Gligorea, Alexander. "PFL 2021 #03: Hatef Moeil trifft auf Ali isaev im Debüt". gnp1.de. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Ali Isaev, Hatef Moeil ruled out at 2021 PFL 3; finalized lineup sees eight fights air on ESPN". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  10. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (2021-06-01). "Kayla Harrison vs. Cindy Dandois headlines PFL 6 card on June 25, Fabricio Werdum also returns". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  11. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2021-06-17). "PFL 6 lineup revised, defending heavyweight champion Ali Isaev out". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  12. ^ "Cappelozza, Austin to headline PFL 2 on April 28". ESPN.com. 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  13. ^ "OFFICIAL: 2022 PFL 2 Fight Card updates!". Twitter. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  14. ^ "Cappelozza to fight Scheffel in PFL 5 main event". ESPN.com. 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
  15. ^ Critchfield, Tristen. "PFL 5 Card Updated with Five New Preliminary Matchups, Including Juan Adams Debut". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  16. ^ Martin, Damon (2022-09-30). "Undefeated PFL heavyweight champion Ali Isaev signs with Bellator MMA". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  17. ^ Sheehan, Sean (2023-01-06). "Steve Mowry vs. Ali Isaev set for Bellator 290". SevereMMA.com - UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Irish MMA. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  18. ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 290 'Bader vs. Fedor 2' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  19. ^ "Bellator 301 set for Chicago: 2 title fights, including Sergio Pettis vs. Patchy Mix, grand prix semifinal, grudge rematch". MMA Junkie. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  20. ^ Guillen, Adam (2023-11-13). "Bellator 301 loses not one, but two fights on the same day". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  21. ^ "Russian fighter Ali Isaev to compete in Bellator for Azerbaijan - Athletistic". athletistic.com. 11 January 2023.
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