Said Nurmagomedov made his professional MMA debut in 2009 at World Ultimate Full Contact 15, facing the undefeated 4–0 Oscar Nave.

[6] After a three-year break, he returned in 2012 at Vale Tudo 3 to fight the debuting Jolon Uulu Jayloobay.

[7] Nurmagomedov returned in 2013 to welcome another debutante, Akhmed Sarapov, at Liga Kavkaz - Battle in Khiv 1.

Nurmagomedov scored the first KO win of his career, ending the fight in the dying seconds of the first round.

[8] In 2014 Nurmagomedov signed with Absolute Championship Berkut, with his first fight being against the experienced Asulan Toktarbaev, at ACB 1 bantamweight Grand Prix.

[9] In the next round of the bantamweight Grand Prix, at ACB 4 he faced Magomed-Emin Khazhgeriev, again winning by a unanimous decision.

[10] In the penultimate bout of the Grand Prix, at ACB 7, he fought against the undefeated German Barsegyan.

[17] Nurmagomedov made his promotional debut on July 14, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 133 against Justin Scoggins.

[21] Nurmagomedov faced promotional newcomer Mark Striegl, whose debut was delayed after testing positive for COVID-19,[22] on October 18, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 180.

[29] Nurmagomedov faced Douglas Silva de Andrade on July 9, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 39.

[43] However, one week before the event, Santos withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and the bout was subsequently cancelled.