Mamed Khalidov was born in Grozny, Soviet Union. He began practicing Kyokushin Karate around the age of 12 or 13, where he also holds a black belt. At the age of 17, he fled from his homeland to Poland and continued practicing martial arts, while adding other combat styles to his repertoire such as Taekwondo, Shotokan Karate, Wrestling and Boxing soon after his arrival. He also became competitive in all sports. Later he also became interested about becoming a mixed martial artist and began training Muay Thai, Combat Sambo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Mixed martial arts career
As of December 2011, Khalidov has fought eleven times under the KSW banner, though never featuring in a tournament, instead fighting individually such opponents as Daniel Tabera and Matt Lindland.
Khalidov made his US debut with EliteXC on their October 10, 2008 ShoXC card against American Jason Guida.[2] After almost two hard-fought rounds, Khalidov stopped Guida on the feet with an unanswered torrent of punches.
Following the collapse of EliteXC, Khalidov has expressed interest in a hasty return to KSW, as previously outlined by his signing with ProElite in favor of non-exclusive contract status. Due to a broken hand, Khalidov was unable to return for KSW X on December 12, 2008. Following his recovery, he fought PRIDE veteran Daniel Acacio at KSW XI on 15 May, knocking him out at 1:10 of the first round to win the newly created KSW Light Heavyweight Championship.
Khalidov signed a three-fight deal with World Victory Road Sengoku and his first appearance for the promotion was on the November 7th card against Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago. Although, the fight was not a title bout,[3] Khalidov defeated Santiago via first-round TKO. A rematch of the bout was held at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 12 on March 7, 2010, for the Middleweight Championship, which Khalidov lost via controversial unanimous decision.
At KSW XIII Mamed fought Ryuta Sakurai to a draw. Sakurai secured a kimura early in the first round, but Khalidov escaped. During the rest of the fight he had 6 submission attempts including 4 guillotine chokes, 1 ankle lock and 1 heel hook, but couldn't force the tap from Sakurai.
Mamed Khalidov was expected to face Thales Leites and later Matt Lindland at KSW XV[4] However, both fighters were pulled from the card. Instead, Khalidov faced James Irvin at the event and won via submission at 0:33 into the first round. He eventually faced Lindland at KSW 16 in May 2011 and won via submission in the first round.
Khalidov was originally scheduled to face Paulo Filho at KSW 17. However, Filho was forced out of the bout due to him going into rehab for a drug addiction and he was replaced by Jesse Taylor. Khalidov won the fight via submission (kneebar) in the first round.
Khalidov next competed against former UFC fighter Rodney Wallace on May 12, 2012, at KSW 19. He won the fight via KO in the first round.
On December 1, 2012, he defeated Kendall Grove and won the fight via submission (achilles lock). Khalidov next faced Melvin Manhoef at KSW 23 on June 8, 2013, winning the fight by front choke in the first round.
On July 30, 2018, it was announced that Khalidov had vacated his middleweight championship belt in order to pursue a rematch against KSW Light Heavyweight champion Tomasz Narkun.[5] On October 9, 2018, it was announced that the rematch would happen at KSW 46: Narkun vs. Khalidov 2 on December 1, 2018.[6] Khalidov lost the rematch via unanimous decision and retired from the sport in the cage.[7]
In September 2019, news surfaced that Khalidov will be returning from retirement to face Scott Askham in a catchweight bout at KSW 52 on December 7, 2019.[8] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[9]
Khalidov defended his title against Roberto Soldić on December 18, 2021, at KSW 65: Khalidov vs. Soldić.[11] He lost the bout and his title via knockout after getting caught with a left hook in the second round.[12][13]
Khalidov faced Scott Askham in trilogy at XTB KSW 83: Colosseum 2 on June 3, 2023.[16] He won the bout in the third round after hitting Askham with flying switch kick and finishing him with punches.[17]
