Eldar Eldarov

Eldar Gadzhiyavovich Eldarov (born 3 June 1991) is a Bahraini mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Super Lightweight division of BRAVE Combat Federation, as the first and only world champion in the division. Outside of MMA, he is a Combat Sambo World Cup and European Cup medalist.

Eldar Eldarov
BornEldar Gadzhiyavovich Eldarov
3 June 1991
Khunzakh
Native nameЭльдар Эльдаров
NationalityBahraini
Height177 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight77 kg (170 lb; 12 st 2 lb)
DivisionSuper Lightweight
StyleCombat Sambo
Grappling
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofKingdom of Bahrain
TeamKHK MMA
RankMaster of Sports in Combat Samboo
Years active2009 - present
Mixed martial arts record
Total14
Wins13
By knockout2
By submission8
By decision3
Losses1
Other information
OccupationKHK MMA Head Coach
UniversityDagestan State University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Eldarov was born in Khunzakh, Soviet Union on 3 June 1991, of Avar ethnicity.

In 2008, he graduated out of the mathematics and physic department at his high school in the capital of the Dagestan Republic, Makhachkala. In 2013, he graduated from Dagestan State University with a law degree.

Martial Arts Training

Eldarov started to learn Martial Arts when he was six years old in Oyama-karate academy and soon moved on to wrestling, Judo, and Sambo. In 2004, he joined the Combat Sambo school, where he trained for 10 to 12 years, two times per day, under famous Russian Sambo and MMA coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.[1][2] He trained alongside his childhood friend Khabib Nurmagomedov and developed a strong foundation in Combat Sambo.

MMA Coaching

Eldarov took part in negotiating Khabib Nurmagomedov's first UFC contract and played a huge role in his rise to fame. In 2013, Eldarov gave Khabib the infamous "If Sambo Was Easy, It Would Be Called Jiu-Jitsu" that he wore during the weigh-ins during his third UFC appearance taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil to take on Thiago Tavares.[3] Khabib named Eldarov as his hero in his Ultimate Fighting Championship biography.[4]

In 2015, as 23 years of age, he moved to Bahrain to help Bahrain MMA pioneer Hamza Kooheji prepare for his first international fight.[5] He trained Kooheji in Wrestling and MMA. Hamza won his fight by KO against a more experienced opponent which prompted Eldarov to become a full-time head coach of Bahrain national MMA and wrestling teams.[6]

Professional Mixed Martial Arts Career

Early Career (2009 - 2015)

Eldarov made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2009, at Tsumada FC 3, winning his first fight of the night before succumbing to his first and only MMA loss against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Eldarov spoke about that experience during Mo Hosani 360 podcast, saying his debut was a short-notice one and he only agreed to fight friend Nurmagomedov because they were both desperate to find fights.

After that experience, he went on a seven-fight winning streak in the Russian regional circuit before moving to Bahrain to become a head coach at KHK MMA. The move, in addition to his impressive sequence, earned him a spot at BRAVE Combat Federation's first-ever fight card.

2016

In September of 2016, Eldarov made his BRAVE CF debut and beat Argentina's Kevin Kodolbsky by unanimous decision.[7] It was during BRAVE CF first-even event, BRAVE CF 1: The Beginning[8] in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

2017

In April, Eldarov continued his undefeated streak with yet another dominating performance, this time knocking out Brazilian Henrique Rasputin in the main event of BRAVE CF 6, in Kazakhstan.[9] It was a first round TKO via Elbow at 3 minutes and 52 seconds.[10]

2018

Eldarov followed that up with yet another victory in the main event, this time besting Brian Hooi, from the Netherlands, at BRAVE CF 12: KHK Legacy,[11] which was held in Jakarta, Indonesia in May. The fight ended in a decision.[12][13][14]

Super Lightweight Championship

As a big Lightweight, Eldar welcomed BRAVE CF's opening of a new weight class. He put his name forth for the first-ever Super Lightweight championship fight and went head to head with striker Mounir Lazzez in the co-main event of BRAVE CF 23: Pride & Honor,[15] which took place in Jordan, in April.

After five rounds, Eldar was declared the first-ever BRAVE CF Super Lightweight world champion making mixed martial arts history in the process. He received a hero's welcome in the Kingdom of Bahrain, which claimed its first professional mixed martial arts title through Eldarov.[16]

In 2021 during the first BRAVE CF event of the year and Russian debut, Eldarov defended the title at BRAVE CF 46[17] against Ex-UFC Veteran Leonardo Mafra in Sochi, Russia.[18][19] The fight ended after Eldarov's brutal sequences resulted in a TKO via doctor stoppage between the first and second round.[20][21]

Mixed Martial Arts Style

Eldarov is known for his wrestling and expertise in Combat Sambo. He is right-handed with an orthodox stance. He is known for being the aggressor and going for knockouts despite his grappling background. He has 8 wins by submission and dominates the cage with his Combat Sambo techniques. However, Eldar has mentioned in interviews that he tries to go for knockouts because going for knockouts is the way he was taught to fight. [22]

References
  1. "Eldar Eldarov: Russian protege of legendary MMA coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov plans big night at Brave CF 46 (VIDEO)". RT International. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  2. "Новости MMA. Ученик Абдулманапа Нурмагомедова рассказал о феномене наставника как тренера и человека". ToFight.Ru (in Russian). 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  3. "Eldar Eldarov: Cornerman behind Khabib's infamous t-shirt joke prepares to defend world title at Brave CF 46". RT International. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  4. "Khabib Nurmagomedov | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  5. ""Eldar is bringing the Brave world title home" - Hamza Kooheji". Bahrain This Week. 2019-04-11. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  6. Altatis, Conan (2019-04-18). "Brave CF athlete Eldar Eldarov from Russia to Bahrain". Global Asia News. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  7. "Eldar Eldarov vs. Kevin Koldobsky, Brave CF 1 | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  8. Sherdog.com. "Brave CF 1 - The Beginning". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  9. Sherdog.com. "Brave CF 6 - Kazakhstan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  10. "Eldar Eldarov vs. Henrique Gomes, Brave CF 6 | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  11. Sherdog.com. "Brave CF 12 - KHK Legacy". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  12. "Eldar Eldarov vs. Brian Hooi, Brave CF 12 | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  13. Bhagirath, Hari (2018-05-13). "Brave 12: Eldarov claims victory". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  14. "Brave 12 results - Eldar Eldarov defeats Brian Hooi in main event". MyMMANews.com. 2018-05-12. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  15. Sherdog.com. "Brave CF 23 - Pride & Honor". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  16. "Eldar Eldarov vs. Mounir Lazzez, Brave CF 23 | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  17. Sherdog.com. "Brave CF 46 - Brave Combat Federation 46". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  18. "Эльдаров защитил титул чемпиона Brave CF в суперлегком весе". matchtv.ru (in Russian). 2021-01-16. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  19. "Brave CF 46: Leonardo Mafra fighting for Brazilian pride against Eldar Eldarov in Sochi". MMA Junkie. 2021-01-11. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  20. Sherdog.com. "Eldar Eldarov Overcomes Leonardo Mafra Texeira, Retains Title In Brave CF 46 Headliner". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  21. "Eldar Eldarov vs. Leonardo Mafra, BRAVE CF 46 | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  22. "Eldar Eldarov: Russian protege of legendary MMA coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov plans big night at Brave CF 46 (VIDEO)". RT International. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.