Ex-UFC fighter Makhmud Muradov becomes two-division Oktagon MMA champion
The former UFC fighter won the Oktagon middleweight interim title last year before moving up to light heavyweight and capturing another belt.
Released from the UFC in February 2024 after a rough stretch, Makhmud Muradov has found glory elsewhere. On Saturday, the Uzbek fighter completed a remarkable career comeback by becoming a two-division Oktagon MMA champion with a dramatic victory over Will Fleury. Muradov moved up to light heavyweight and captured the 205-pound title after previously winning the middleweight interim belt in the promotion.
Makhmud Muradov Completes Remarkable Comeback
Muradov defeated Will Fleury for the light heavyweight title in an intense matchup. In the first round, Fleury connected with a powerful left hook that sent Muradov crashing to the canvas. The Uzbek fighter was visibly shaken by the blow but was saved by the end of the round.
Despite returning to his corner dazed during the break, Muradov was able to clear his head and recover. Early in the second round, the Uzbek fighter flipped the script with a devastating right hand. Seizing the moment, Muradov followed up with ground-and-pound, forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight.
Makhmud Muradov: From UFC Release to Two-Division Champion
Fighting under the UFC's banner for more than four years, Muradov recorded wins over names such as Alessio Di Chirico and Bryan Barberena. In February 2024, after winning just one of his last four fights, the Uzbek fighter was released from the UFC.
A few months later, Muradov signed with Oktagon, an organization he had previously competed for in his career. Undefeated since joining the promotion, Muradov earned a unanimous decision victory over Patrik Kincl to capture the middleweight interim title in his third Oktagon fight. Just over a year later, he moved up to challenge Fleury for the light heavyweight title and emerged as a two-division champion.
