Elbek Alyshov is an Azerbaijani-Russian MMA fighter who says he has been training in combat sports for 21 years, with an impressive background of more than 400 judo and sambo bouts before switching to MMA. As a child, he was inspired by stories about great warriors from the past, which helped shape his later path in combat sports. His Islamic faith plays a central role in his life and motivation: he describes himself as inspired by “holy warriors who were willing to overcome difficulties through self-sacrifice” and believes that “everything comes from God.”
His motivation is emphatically not solely athletic. Alyshov has spoken publicly about his family’s financial insecurity, saying that they do not own a home, and about his desire to provide them and his broader community with a better future. “I fight for something bigger” is a statement that aptly summarizes his mission.
At ONE Championship, where he joined Team Chingiz Allazov, Alyshov built a perfect record in a short time. He defeated Filipino opponents Jeremy Pacatiw and Carlo Bumina-ang, both by submission, earning his chance at the world championship.
He seized that opportunity with both hands: on July 31, 2026, at The Inner Circle 24 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, he defeated reigning bantamweight champion Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu by TKO in the second round. After an immediate single-leg takedown, he finished the fight with a series of right uppercuts. For this performance, CEO Chatri Sityodtong awarded him a $50,000 performance bonus. As of September 2026, Alyshov, with an undefeated professional record of 11-0, including 10 finishes, is the newly crowned and still-undefeated reigning ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion. His first title defense has not yet been announced.
Russia
