Omari Sirazhudinovich Akhmedov (born October 12, 1987) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division.
Akhmedov was born on October 12, 1987, in the town of Kizlyar in modern-day Dagestan, Russia, in a Lak family and is a devout Sunni Muslim.
Like many children in Dagestan, Akhmedov engaged in freestyle wrestling from a young age and would go on to hold an accomplished career in the sport before transitioning to MMA.
[5] Akhmedov made his professional MMA debut on January 30, 2010, when he faced Iskhan Zakharian at ProFC: Fight Night 2.
[11] In his welterweight debut, Akhmedov faced Gunnar Nelson on March 8, 2014, at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs.
Akhmedov faced Brian Ebersole on June 6, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 68, replacing an injured Alan Jouban.
[15] He won the fight via TKO after Ebersole was unable to continue after the first round due to a knee injury sustained from a kick by Akhmedov.
[21] Akhmedov was tabbed as a short notice replacement for Dominique Steele and faced Kyle Noke on November 27, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 101.
[28] However, Akhmedov pulled out of the fight in early September and was replaced by promotional newcomer Artem Frolov.
[51] Akhmedov was scheduled to face Antônio Carlos Júnior in the Semifinals off the Light Heavyweight tournament on August 5, 2022, at PFL 7.
[52] However, Antonio suffered an ACL injury requiring surgery, being replaced by Josh Silveira for the playoffs.
[54] Akhmedov faced Rob Wilkinson in the finals of the Light Heavyweight tournament on November 25, 2022, at PFL 10.