Nazim Sadykhov (Azerbaijani: Nazim Sadıxov, born May 16, 1994) is an Azerbaijani mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Early life Nazim Sadykhov was born on May 16, 1994, in Moscow, Russia, to Azerbaijani parents. His father introduced him to sports early to teach self-defense. Sadykhov grew up in Brooklyn, New York, but maintains a strong connection to his Azerbaijani heritage, honoring his lineage and cultural roots.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career Nazim Sadykhov began his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career on November 16, 2018. After an initial loss, he achieved a series of victories, including six by knockout and two by submission. This performance led to his participation in Dana White's Contender Series on August 16, 2022, where he secured a third-round knockout against Ahmad Hassanzada, earning a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Ultimate Fighting Championship In his UFC debut, Sadykhov faced Evan Elder on February 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 219. He won the fight by technical knockout due to a doctor's stoppage in the third round. This fight earned his Fight of the Night award.
Sadykhov faced Terrance McKinney on July 15, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 49. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round two.
Sadykhov faced Viacheslav Borshchev on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295. The fight ended via a majority draw. This fight earned his Fight of the Night award.
Sadykhov was scheduled to face Chris Duncan on July 13, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 59. However, Duncan withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by MarQuel Mederos. A week later, Mederos pulled out, and the bout was scrapped.
Sadykhov faced Ismael Bonfim on February 15, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 251. He won the fight by technical knockout due to a doctor's stoppage at the end of the first round.
Sadykhov faced Nikolas Motta on June 21, 2025, at UFC on ABC 8. He won the fight by technical knockout in the second round. This fight earned him two $50,000 awards (Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night) totaling $100,000.
Sadykhov faced Farès Ziam on December 6, 2025 at UFC 323. He lost the fight by technical knockout via punches and elbows in the second round.
Sadykhov was scheduled to face MarQuel Mederos on April 11, 2026 at UFC 327. However, Sadykhov withdrew to an injury and was replaced by Chris Padilla.
Sadykhov faced Matheus Camilo on June 27, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 280. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round.
Sadykhov is scheduled to face Jefferson Nascimento on November 14, 2026 at UFC 334.
Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (Three times) Performance of the Night (One time) UFC Honors Awards 2025: President's Choice Fight of the Year Nominee UFC.com Awards 2025: Ranked #3 Fight of the Year MMA Fighting 2025 #4 Ranked Fight of the Year
Mixed martial arts record
|Loss |align=center|11–3–1 |Matheus Camilo |TKO (punches) |UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:31 |Baku, Azerbaijan
|Loss |align=center|11–2–1 |Farès Ziam |TKO (elbows and punches) |UFC 323 | |align=center|2 |align=center|4:59 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center|11–1–1 |Nikolas Motta |KO (punches) |UFC on ABC: Hill vs. Rountree Jr. | |align=center|2 |align=center|4:17 |Baku, Azerbaijan
|Win |align=center| |Ismael Bonfim |TKO (doctor stoppage) |UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues | |align=center|1 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Draw |align=center|9–1–1 |Viacheslav Borshchev |Draw (majority) |UFC 295 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |New York City, New York, United States
|Win |align=center|9–1 |Terrance McKinney |Submission (rear-naked choke) |UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Bueno Silva | |align=center|2 |align=center|1:07 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center|8–1 |Evan Elder |TKO (doctor stoppage) |UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield | |align=center|3 |align=center|0:38 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
| Win |align=center|7–1 |Ahmad Sohail Hassanzada |KO (punch) |Dana White's Contender Series 50 | |align=center|3 |align=center|1:59 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center|6–1 |Joe Boerschig |KO (punches) |Fury FC 59 | |align=center|1 |align=center|0:55 |Houston, Texas, United States
|Win |align=center|5–1 |Juan Carlos De Leon |TKO (punches) |Fury FC 55 | |align=center|3 |align=center|4:38 |Houston, Texas, United States
|Win |align=center|4–1 |John Herrera |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Fury FC 52 | |align=center|3 |align=center|4:38 |Houston, Texas, United States
|Win |align=center|3–1 |Elijah Harris |Decision (unanimous) |Cage Fury FC 81 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Bensalem, Pennsylvania, United States
|Win |align=center|2–1 |Trent Stump |TKO (punches) |Cage Fury FC 77 | |align=center|1 |align=center|4:33 |Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
|Win |align=center|1–1 |William Dill |KO (punch) |Ring of Combat 68 | |align=center|1 |align=center|0:58 |Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
|Loss |align=center|0–1 |Juan Galarza |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Ring of Combat 66 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:38 |Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
See also List of current UFC fighters List of Dana White's Contender Series alumni List of male mixed martial artists
References