Sultan Magomedbegovich Aliev (born September 17, 1984) is a Russian former professional mixed martial artist and active sambist. A professional from 2011 until 2019, he competed for the UFC and Bellator.
Background
Sultan Aliev was born in Kaspiysk, Dagestan, Soviet Union. He is a Russian of Avar descent and a devout Sunni Muslim. He started in Combat Sambo at 23 years old, in 2009 he won Combat Sambo European Championship in Milan, Italy. In 2010 he received the rank "International Master of Sports in Combat Sambo"[3] After Russian Combat Sambo Nationals 2011 (3rd) and 2012 (2nd), he made his professional MMA debut in ProFC and won his first professional fight against Sergey Guzev.
Sambo career
On February 5, 2012, Aliev lost to Vyacheslav Vasilevsky in Combat Sambo Russia Championship 2012 Finale (-90 kg) via decision (1–5).[4]
On February 24, 2014, Aliev won against Vasilevsky in Combat Sambo Russia Championship 2014 Finale (-90 kg) via TKO.[5]
On 24 November 2014 Aliev became World Combat Sambo Champion (-90 kg). In the finale match he defeated French Sebastian Libebe via TKO.[6]
In Russian Nationals 2016 he lost to Khadis Ibragimov by knockout in the semifinal.[7]
Mixed martial arts career
ProFC
Aliev started his MMA career in ProFC in April 2011. He defeated Sergey Guzev on April 9, 2011, at ProFC 14 via unanimous decision.[8]
Aliev defeated Armenian MMA prospect Hracho Darpinyan on July 2, 2011, at ProFC: Union Nation Cup Final via unanimous decision.[8]
Aliev defeated Fuad Gadyrov on September 26, 2011, at ProFC: Grand Prix Global. He won via KO in the second round.[8]
Aliev defeated taekwondo black belt Marcin Elsner on December 10, 2011, at ProFC: Grand Prix Global Finals. He won via TKO in the first round.[8]
Bellator MMA
In 2013, Aliev was announced as one of the participants of the Bellator Season 8 Middleweight tournament.
Aliev debuted on February 14, 2013, at Bellator 89 where he faced Mikkel Parlo in the quarterfinal round. Aliev won the fight via unanimous decision to advance to the semifinals.[9]
In the semifinals, Aliev faced Doug Marshall on March 7, 2013, at Bellator 92.[10] Despite controlling the fight via his wrestling, Aliev lost via split decision, resulting in his first professional MMA loss.[11]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On May 7, 2014, it was announced that Aliev had signed a contract with the UFC.[12]
Aliev made his promotional debut against Kenny Robertson in a welterweight bout on January 24, 2015, at UFC on Fox 14.[13] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[14]
Aliev was expected to face Hyun Gyu Lim on August 20, 2016, at UFC 202.[15] However, Aliev pulled out of the fight in early August citing a wrist injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Mike Perry.[16][17]
Aliev was expected to face Nordine Taleb on 16 December 2017 at UFC on FOX 26.[20] However, Aliev was removed from the card in early December due to alleged visa issues restricting his ability to travel and was replaced by Danny Roberts.[21]
Aliev faced Warlley Alves on May 12, 2018, at UFC 224.[22] He lost the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage at the end of the second round.[23]
Aliev was expected to face Lyman Good on November 3, 2018, at UFC 230.[24] However, it was reported on October 19, 2018, that Aliev pulled out from the event citing injury and he was replaced by Ben Saunders.[25]
Aliev was expected to face Emil Weber Meek on April 20, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 149.[26] However, on March 3, 2019, it was announced that Meek withdrew from the bout due to undisclosed reasons[27] and was replaced by Keita Nakamura.[28] Aliev won the fight via unanimous decision.[29] Following the bout, Aliev announced his retirement from mixed martial arts competition.[30]
