From a Kazakh market worker to a top-ranked UFC flyweight contender
In short: Asu Almabayev's journey to the elite levels of mixed martial arts began far from the bright lights of the UFC. Before competing for major championships, the Kazakh athlete spent years working in a family market, building the discipline that would eventually lead him to the world's premier fighting organization.
Almabayev's journey into professional fighting was forged through varied training, following his birth in Janatalap, Kazakhstan, on January 25, 1994. After starting wrestling at age five, he moved to Almaty during fifth grade, where he expanded his repertoire to include karate, boxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His technical proficiency in jiu-jitsu eventually earned him championships at both the Kazakh and Asian levels.
Before his ascent in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Almabayev balanced his training with manual labor, working at his parents' small market shop until he was 23. His professional MMA career began in 2013, marked by an early victory over Vadim Buseev. Following a three-year hiatus, he returned in 2016 to begin a significant winning streak, eventually capturing the Interim M-1 Global Flyweight Championship by defeating Chris Kelades via unanimous decision in 2019.
Almabayev's recent success has seen him climb the UFC flyweight rankings, reaching the #5 spot as of July 11, 2026. His tenure in the UFC has been highlighted by notable performances, including a 'Performance of the Night' award for his submission victory over Ode' Osbourne in 2023 and a $100,000 'Performance of the Night' bonus for his third-round Suloev submission against Charles Johnson in June 2026. Despite setbacks, such as a technical knockout loss to Manel Kape in 2025, he remains a prominent figure in the division.
As he moves toward late 2026, Almabayev is scheduled to face Kyoji Horiguchi, a former champion across multiple major organizations, marking a significant milestone in his ongoing career.
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