Askar Askarov

Askar Askarov is a Russian flyweight from Dagestan who turned deaf from a young age but went on to become a decorated freestyle wrestler, winning gold at the 2017 Summer Deaflympics at 61kg. He turned professional in 2013 and built an impressive record on the regional circuit, ultimately capturing the ACB Flyweight Championship in 2016 and defending it twice before signing with the UFC in 2019. His fighting style is rooted in wrestling and submission grappling, with a track record of finishing opponents via leg-lock neck cranks, rear naked chokes, and armbar variations. Askarov relies on solid standing striking (landing over 3 significant strikes per minute) to set up opportunistic takedowns, though his UFC tenure revealed a struggle to consistently bring opponents to the mat at the highest level.

Askarov's UFC run began with a polarizing split-decision draw against Brandon Moreno at UFC Fight Night in September 2019, a result that hinged on judge scoring and left observers divided. He rebounded impressively with three consecutive unanimous decisions, defeating Tim Elliott at UFC 246, Alexandre Pantoja at UFC Fight Night 172, and Joseph Benavidez at UFC 259, a bout at which he notably missed weight by one pound. These wins positioned him as a legitimate threat in a competitive flyweight division and earned him respect as a technical grappler. However, his momentum stalled when he lost a unanimous decision to Kai Kara-France in March 2022, marking his first professional loss. Shortly after, plagued by injury and weight management issues, Askarov requested release from the UFC and departed the organization in late 2022.

Askarov's appeal lies in his technical completeness and his remarkable personal story: a hearing-impaired wrestler who communicates with his corner only through visual signals and has nonetheless built a pro record of 14-1-1 across elite promotions. His submission arsenal and wrestling pedigree make him a threat to any flyweight willing to engage on the ground, but recurrent health problems and his departure from the UFC in 2022 have significantly reduced his visibility. He has since signed with Absolute Championship Akhmat and competed once in their cage in late 2023, signaling a continued career abroad.