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Muhammad Naimov

Muhammad Naimov
BornMuhammadjon Naimov
(1994-08-07) 7 August 1994 (age 30)
Kulob, Tajikistan
Other namesHillman
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight146 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionFeatherweight
Lightweight
StyleTaekwondo
Fighting out ofDushanbe, Tajikistan
TeamElevation Fight Team
Years active2018–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins12
By knockout6
By submission2
By decision4
Losses3
By submission1
By decision2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Muhammadjon Naimov (Tajik: Муҳаммад Наимов; born 7 August 1994) is a Tajik mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional mixed martial artist since 2018, Naimov has also competed in the Titan Fighting Championships.

Background

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Muhammad Naimov was born in Kulob on 7 August 1994.[1] He studied at the Tajik National University. He speaks three languages.[2]

Naimov began competing in taekwondo, where he won the Asian Junior Championships in Kazakhstan (2010), Tajikistan (2012), Bulgaria (2013) and Nepal (2014), and won a medal at the World Junior Championships in Estonia (2012) and Tajikistan (2014). He then began his amateur MMA career in 2016 before turning professional in 2018.[3][4]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Naimov made his professional MMA career in on November 1, 2018, at Jonathan Ogden Foundation's 13th Annual 'An Evening Ringside' against Jernato Harris, winning the bout via second-round TKO.[5]

Naimov made his Titan FC debut against Harrison Melendez on January 25, 2019, at Titan FC 52. He won the bout by first-round TKO.[6][7]

Naimov faced Landon Quinones at Titan FC 54 on April 26, 2019. He won the bout via split decision.[8][9]

Naimov faced Shawn Brown at Titan FC 58 on December 20, 2019. He won the bout via technical submission in the first round.[10]

Naimov faced Shawn Brown at Titan FC 62 on July 23, 2020. He won the bout via second-round TKO.[11]

Naimov faced Collin Anglin at Dana White's Contender Series 33 on September 15, 2020.[12] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[13]

Returning to Titan FC, Naimov faced Olivier Murad for the vacant Titan FC Featherweight Championship at Titan FC 67. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.[14]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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In his UFC debut, Naimov faced Jamie Mullarkey on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46 as a replacement for Guram Kutatuledze.[15] He won the bout via technical knockout in the second round, earning him his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[16][17]

Moving down to featherweight, Naimov faced Nathaniel Wood on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]

Naimov faced Erik Silva on February 24, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 237.[20] He won by first round technical knockout after Silva injured his leg.[21]

Naimov was scheduled to face Melsik Baghdasaryan on June 22, 2024 at UFC on ABC 6.[22] However, Baghdasaryan pulled out during fight week due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder and was replaced by promotional newcomer Felipe Lima.[23] Naimov lost the fight by a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[24]

Naimov faced Kaan Ofli on February 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 250.[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
16 matches 13 wins 3 losses
By knockout 6 0
By submission 2 1
By decision 5 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 12–3 Kaan Ofli Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov February 1, 2025 3 5:00 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Loss 11–3 Felipe Lima Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov June 22, 2024 3 1:15 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Win 11–2 Erik Silva TKO (leg injury) UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2 February 24, 2024 1 0:44 Mexico City, Mexico
Win 10–2 Nathaniel Wood Decision (unanimous) UFC 294 October 21, 2023 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Return to Featherweight.
Win 9–2 Jamie Mullarkey TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Kara-France vs. Albazi June 3, 2023 2 2:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lightweight debut. Performance of the Night.
Win 8–2 Dylan Schulte TKO (head kick and punches) Tuff-N-Uff 131 March 3, 2023 1 0:34 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–2 Sitik Muduev Decision (split) Tuff-N-Uff 129 August 12, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 6–2 Andres Ponce Submission (arm-triangle choke) Titan FC 72 September 17, 2021 1 4:53 Miami, Florida, United States
Loss 5–2 Olivier Murad Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 67 February 12, 2021 5 5:00 Miami, Florida, United States For the vacant Titan FC Featherweight Championship.
Loss 5–1 Collin Anglin Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 33 September 15, 2020 2 2:23 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5–0 Josh Augustine TKO (submission to leg kick) Titan FC 62 July 23, 2020 2 0:22 Miami, Florida, United States
Win 4–0 Shawn Brown Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Titan FC 58 December 20, 2019 1 4:41 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 3–0 Landon Quiñones Decision (split) Titan FC 54 April 26, 2019 3 5:00 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 2–0 Harrison Melendez TKO (retirement) Titan FC 52 January 25, 2019 1 5:00 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 1–0 Jernato Harris TKO (punches) The Jonathan Ogden Foundation: Charity MMA Event November 1, 2018 2 1:18 Hunt Valley, Maryland, United States Featherweight debut.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Мухамаджон Наимов (боец MMA)" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2023-06-04. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  2. ^ "Мухаммад Наимов: «У полулегкого веса новый король. Забудьте этого коротышку и Холлоуэя»". Sports.ru. 2023-06-04. Archived from the original on 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  3. ^ "Muhammad Naimov | UFC". Archived from the original on 2023-06-04. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  4. ^ Расим Ахмедов (2023-06-03). "Мухаммаджон Наимов успешно дебютировал в UFC, победив Джейми Малларки". Fight.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  5. ^ Sherdog.com. "Muhammadjon "Hillman" Naimo". Sherdog. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  6. ^ Fiedel, Michael (January 26, 2019). "Titan FC 52: Live Results and Play by Play". The Body Lock.
  7. ^ Aittama, Zach (January 26, 2019). "Titan FC 52: Saores vs. Uruguai Results". Combat Press.
  8. ^ "Titan FC 54: Jason Soares, Rafael Alves finish championship fights by knockout". FanSided. 2019-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  9. ^ Aittama, Zach (April 26, 2019). "Titan FC 54: Soares vs. França Results". Combat Press.
  10. ^ Nambiar, Abhishek (May 30, 2023). "UFC signs 8-2 Tajik fighter Muhammad Naimov to debut against Jamie Mullarkey at UFC Vegas 74". Sportskeeda.
  11. ^ "Titan FC 62: McCown vs. Gooden Results". Combat Press. July 23, 2020.
  12. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (August 30, 2020). "Full lineups for Dana White's Contender Series Week 6, Week 7 announced". MMA Fighting.
  13. ^ Sherdog.com. "Jordan Williams Knockout Highlights Week 7 of DWCS; Three UFC Contracts Awarded". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
  14. ^ "Titan FC 67 results: Danny Sabatello blasts boo-birds after dominant title defense". MMA Junkie. 2021-02-13. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  15. ^ Alex Behunin (2023-05-30). "Muhammad Naimov steps in on five days notice to fight Jamie Mullarkey at UFC Vegas 74". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  16. ^ a b UFC Staff Report (2023-06-03). "Bonus Coverage - UFC Fight Night - Kara-France vs Albazi". ufc.com. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  17. ^ Martin, Damon (2023-06-03). "UFC Vegas 74 video: Muhammad Naimov flattens Jamie Mullarkey with one punch, wins as biggest underdog on card". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  18. ^ "Nathaniel Wood to fight Muhammad Naimov at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi". MMA Junkie. 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  19. ^ Theodosi, Jamie (2023-10-21). "UFC 294: Muhammad Naimov Defeats Nathaniel Wood in Foul-Heavy Affair". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  20. ^ Desk, ITN News (2024-01-10). "Muhammad Naimov vs Erik Silva Reported for UFC Mexico City". www.itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2024-01-10. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  21. ^ Dewar, Val (2024-02-25). "UFC Mexico City: Muhammad Naimov Wins Quick as Erik Silva Injures Ankle". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  22. ^ Martinez, Diego (2024-04-09). "Muhammad Naimov vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan agendado al UFC on ABC 6" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  23. ^ Anderson, Jay (2024-06-17). "Oktagon Champ Felipe Lima Steps In Against Muhammad Naimov at UFC Saudi Arabia". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
  24. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2024-06-22). "UFC Saudi Arabia: Felipe Lima Taps Muhammad Naimov in Thrilling Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  25. ^ Olam Sport (2024-11-27). "Tojikistonlik UFC jangchisi Muhammad Naimovning navbatdagi raqibi va jang sanasi elon qilindi" (in Uzbek). olamsport.com. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  26. ^ Jay Anderson (2025-02-01). "UFC Saudi Arabia: Muhammad Naimov Earns Clear Decision Over Kaan Ofli". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  27. ^ Sherdog.com. "Muhammadjon". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
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