Muhammad Naimov

Muhammadjon Naimov (Tajik: Муҳаммад Наимов; born 7 August 1994) is a Tajik mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2018, Naimov has also competed in the Titan Fighting Championships.

Background

Muhammad Naimov was born in Kulob on 7 August 1994. He studied at the Tajik National University. He speaks three languages.

Naimov began competing in taekwondo, where he won the Asian Junior Championships in Kazakhstan (2010), Tajikistan (2012), Bulgaria (2013) and Nepal (2014), and won a medal at the World Junior Championships in Estonia (2012) and Tajikistan (2014). He then began his amateur MMA career in 2016 before turning professional in 2018.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Naimov made his professional MMA career in on November 1, 2018, at Jonathan Ogden Foundation's 13th Annual 'An Evening Ringside' against Jernato Harris, winning the bout via second-round TKO.

Naimov made his Titan FC debut against Harrison Melendez on January 25, 2019, at Titan FC 52. He won the bout by first-round TKO.

Naimov faced Landon Quinones at Titan FC 54 on April 26, 2019. He won the bout via split decision.

Naimov faced Shawn Brown at Titan FC 58 on December 20, 2019. He won the bout via technical submission in the first round.

Naimov faced Shawn Brown at Titan FC 62 on July 23, 2020. He won the bout via second-round TKO.

Naimov faced Collin Anglin at Dana White's Contender Series 33 on September 15, 2020. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Returning to Titan FC, Naimov faced Olivier Murad for the vacant Titan FC Featherweight Championship at Titan FC 67. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In his UFC debut, Naimov faced Jamie Mullarkey on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46 as a replacement for Guram Kutatuledze. He won the bout via technical knockout in the second round, earning him his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Moving down to featherweight, Naimov faced Nathaniel Wood on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Naimov faced Erik Silva on February 24, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 237. He won by first round technical knockout after Silva injured his leg.

Naimov was scheduled to face Melsik Baghdasaryan on June 22, 2024 at UFC on ABC 6. However, Baghdasaryan pulled out during fight week due to a torn labrum in his left shoulder and was replaced by promotional newcomer Felipe Lima. Naimov lost the fight by a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.

Naimov faced Kaan Ofli on February 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 250. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Naimov faced Bogdan Grad on June 21, 2025 at UFC on ABC 8. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Naimov was scheduled to face Mairon Santos on November 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 265. However, for undisclosed reasons, the matchup was rescheduled to take place two weeks later at UFC 323. At the weigh-ins, Santos weighed in at 147.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Naimov. Naimov lost the fight by technical knockout in the third round.

Championships and accomplishments

• Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Jamie Mullarkey

Mixed martial arts record

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

External links

• from Sherdog
• at UFC