View source for Ali Isaev

{{short description|Azerbaijani-Russian mixed martial artist}}
{{family name hatnote|Isaevich|Isaev|lang=Eastern Slavic}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name            = Ali Isaev<br />Али Исаев
| other_names     =
| image           =
| image_size      = 200px
| alt             =
| caption         =
| birth_name      = Ali Isaevich Isaev
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|1983|12|18}}
| birth_place     = [[Makhachkala]], [[Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Dagestan ASSR]], [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], Soviet Union
| death_date      =
| death_place     =
| death_cause     =
| residence       = Makhachkala, [[Dagestan]], Russia
| nationality     = [[Azerbaijan]]i<br>[[Russia]]n
| height          = {{height|ft=6|in=3}}
| weight          = {{convert|265|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| trainer         = Shmail Omarov
| weight_class    = [[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]]
| reach           = 78 in<ref name="PFL stats">{{cite web |title=Ali Isaev |url=https://www.pflmma.com/fighter/ali-isaev |website=www.pflmma.com}}</ref>
| style           = [[Freestyle wrestling]]
| stance          =
| fighting_out_of = Makhachkala, [[Dagestan]], Russia<ref name="sherdog">{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Ali-Isaev-222567|title=Ali Isaev|publisher=sherdog.com|accessdate=February 23, 2018}}</ref>
| team            = Gamid Gamidov WC.
| rank            = ''International Master of Sports in [[Freestyle wrestling]]''
| years_active    = 2016–present
| mma_win         = 9
| mma_kowin       = 4
| mma_subwin      =
| mma_decwin      = 5
| mma_otherwin    =
| mma_loss        =
| mma_koloss      =
| mma_subloss     =
| mma_decloss     =
| mma_otherloss   =
| mma_draw        = 1
| mma_nc          =
| url             =
| sherdog         = 222567
| footnotes       =
| updated         =
| medaltemplates   =
{{MedalSport | Men's [[freestyle wrestling]] }}
{{MedalCountry | {{AZE}} }}
{{MedalCompetition | [[FILA Wrestling European Championships|European Championships]] }}
{{MedalGold | [[2009 European Wrestling Championships|2009 Vilnius]] | 120 kg }}
{{MedalBronze | [[2008 European Wrestling Championships|2008 Tampere]] | 120 kg }}
}}
'''Ali Isaevich Isaev''' ({{langx|ru|Али Исаевич Исаев}}; born 18 December 1983) is a Russian-Azerbaijani professional [[mixed martial artist]] and former amateur wrestler. He currently competes in the [[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]] division of [[Bellator MMA]]. He has also formerly competed for [[Fight Nights Global]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://fightnights.ru/news/ali-isaev-vs-timofey-mishev-shansy-54-na-46/ | title=Али Исаев vs. Тимофей Мишев: шансы 54% на 46% &#124; Новости &#124; FIGHT NIGHTS }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=IOC|title=Beijing 2008 Super-Heavyweight, Freestyle (≤120 kilograms) Men Results - Olympic wrestling|url=https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/beijing-2008/results/wrestling/super-heavyweight-freestyle-120-kilograms-men|access-date=2021-07-30|website=Olympics.com|language=en}}</ref> and [[Professional Fighters League]] (PFL), where he was the [[List of Professional Fighters League champions#2019|2019 Heavyweight Tournament]] Champion. He competed at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in men's freestyle wrestling at 125 kilos where Isaev placed 17th.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-08-21 |title=Olympics-Wrestling-Freestyle men's 120kg repechage round results |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/olympics-wrestling-freestyle-men-120kg-r-idUSISS04164920080821 |access-date=2021-07-30}}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts career==
===Early career===
Ali Isaev was born to a [[Dargins|Dargin]] family on 18 December 1983 in the city Makhatchkala. Isaev is a Freestyle wrestling European champion. He made his professional MMA debut in April 2016. He fought his first four fights exclusively for [[Fight Nights Global]] and went undefeated with two decision wins and two knockout wins.
===Professional Fighters League===
==== PFL season 2019 ====
In the summer of 2019, Isaev began competing in the Heavyweight division of the [[Professional Fighters League]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://news.ru/yedinoborstva/chempion-evropy-po-borbe-ali-isaev-vyigral-pervyj-boj-v-pfl/| title = Чемпион Европы по борьбе Али Исаев выиграл первый бой в PFL - NEWS.ru — 07.06.19}}</ref> In his debut, he defeated Valdrin Istrefi by unanimous decision at [[PFL 3 (2019 season)|PFL 3]] on June 6, 2019. In his second fight for the promotion, Isayev defeated Carl Seumanutafa also by unanimous decision at [[PFL 6 (2019 season)|PFL 6]] on August 8, 2019.
On October 31, 2019, he fought twice in one night in the [[PFL 9 (2019 season)#2019 PFL Heavyweight playoffs|2019 PFL Heavyweight tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pflmma.com/event/2019-pfl-9|title=Fight Card - 2019 PFL 9|publisher=PFL}}</ref> He defeated [[Kelvin Tiller]] by decision and [[Denis Goltsov]] by TKO in the quarterfinal and semifinal bouts, respectively. He faced [[Jared Rosholt]] in the finals at [[PFL 10 (2019 season)|PFL 10]] on December 31, 2019. Isayev won the fight via TKO in the fourth round to claim the 2019 Heavyweight Championship.
==== PFL season 2021 ====
Isaev was scheduled to face promotional newcomer Hatef Moeil on May 6, 2021, at [[PFL 3 (2021 season)|PFL 3]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Petzel-Gligorea |first1=Alexander |title=PFL 2021 #03: Hatef Moeil trifft auf Ali isaev im Debüt |url=https://www.gnp1.de/mma/mma-deutschland/news/pfl-2021-03-hatef-moeil-trifft-auf-ali-isaev-im-debuet/ |website=gnp1.de |access-date=9 March 2021}}</ref> However, during the week of the event, it was announced that the bout was pulled due to unknown reasons and would be rescheduled for June.<ref name=":0" >{{Cite web|date=2021-05-03|title=Ali Isaev, Hatef Moeil ruled out at 2021 PFL 3; finalized lineup sees eight fights air on ESPN|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/05/ali-isaev-hatef-moeil-ruled-out-at-2021-pfl-3-finalized-lineup-sees-eight-fights-air-on-espn|access-date=2021-05-04|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}}</ref>
Isaev was scheduled to face Renan Ferreira on June 25, 2021, at [[PFL 6 (2021 season)|PFL 6]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Newswire|first=MMA Fighting|date=2021-06-01|title=Kayla Harrison vs. Cindy Dandois headlines PFL 6 card on June 25, Fabricio Werdum also returns|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/6/1/22463240/kayla-harrison-vs-cindy-dandois-headlines-pfl-6-card-on-june-25-fabricio-werdum-also-returns|access-date=2021-06-01|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}</ref> Isaev was forced to withdraw from the event after not being medically cleared to compete. Stepping in for Isaev to fight Renan Ferreira was PFL newcomer Stuart Austin.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Alexander K.|date=2021-06-17|title=PFL 6 lineup revised, defending heavyweight champion Ali Isaev out|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/6/17/22538498/pfl-6-lineup-revised-defending-heavyweight-champion-ali-isaev-out|access-date=2021-06-18|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}</ref>
==== PFL season 2022 ====
Isaev was scheduled to face [[Klidson Abreu]] on April 28, 2022, at [[PFL 2 (2022 season)|PFL 2]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-29 |title=Cappelozza, Austin to headline PFL 2 on April 28 |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/33620764/heavyweights-bruno-cappelozza-stuart-austin-headline-pfl-2-event-april-28 |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> However, Isaev pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Adam Keresh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=OFFICIAL: 2022 PFL 2 Fight Card updates! |url=https://twitter.com/pflmma/status/1517565616974094345 |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>
Isaev was scheduled to face Jamelle Jones on June 24, 2022, at [[PFL 5 (2022 season)|PFL 5]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-26 |title=Cappelozza to fight Scheffel in PFL 5 main event |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/33987021/defending-heavyweight-champion-bruno-cappelozza-fight-matheus-scheffel-main-event-pfl-5 |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> However, Isaev once again pulled out of the bout.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Critchfield |first=Tristen |title=PFL 5 Card Updated with Five New Preliminary Matchups, Including Juan Adams Debut |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/PFL-5-Card-Updated-with-Five-New-Preliminary-Matchups-Including-Juan-Adams-Debut-187196 |access-date=2022-06-21 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref>
=== Bellator MMA ===
On September 30, 2022, it was announced that Isaev had signed a multi-fight deal with [[Bellator MMA]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Damon |date=2022-09-30 |title=Undefeated PFL heavyweight champion Ali Isaev signs with Bellator MMA |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/9/30/23381182/undefeated-pfl-heavyweight-champion-ali-isaev-signs-with-bellator-mma |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}</ref>
Isaev made his Bellator debut against Steve Mowry on February 4, 2023, at [[Bellator 290]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Sean |date=2023-01-06 |title=Steve Mowry vs. Ali Isaev set for Bellator 290 |url=https://severemma.com/2023/01/steve-mowry-vs-ali-isaev-set-for-bellator-290/ |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=SevereMMA.com - UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Irish MMA |language=en-GB}}</ref> The bout concluded in a unanimous draw.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Bellator 290 'Bader vs. Fedor 2' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bellator-290-Bader-vs-Fedor-2-PlaybyPlay-Results-Round-Scoring-189090#ali-isaev-(2618)-steve-mowry-(253.4) |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref>
Isaev was scheduled to face [[Daniel James (fighter)|Daniel James]] on November 17, 2023 at [[Bellator 301]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-13 |title=Bellator 301 set for Chicago: 2 title fights, including Sergio Pettis vs. Patchy Mix, grand prix semifinal, grudge rematch |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/09/bellator-301-fight-card-amosov-vs-jackson-pettis-vs-mix |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> The week of the event, the bout was scrapped for unknown reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guillen |first=Adam |date=2023-11-13 |title=Bellator 301 loses not one, but two fights on the same day |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2023/11/13/23959844/bellator-301-loses-two-fights-on-the-same-day-velasquez-james-pitbull-mckee-amosov-mma |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=MMAmania.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Isaev has [[Azerbaijan]]i citizenship. After signing his contract with Bellator, he got a United States visa using his Azerbaijani passport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://athletistic.com/boxing/168746.html|title=Russian fighter Ali Isaev to compete in Bellator for Azerbaijan - Athletistic|website=athletistic.com|date=11 January 2023 }}</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''[[Professional Fighters League]]'''
**[[List of Professional Fighters League champions#2019|2019 Heavyweight Championship]]
==Mixed martial arts record==
{{MMArecordbox
| draws= 1
| nc=
| ko-wins= 4
| ko-losses=
| sub-wins=
| sub-losses=
| dec-wins= 5
| dec-losses=
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses=
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{draw}}Draw
|align=center|9–0–1
|Steve Mowry
|Draw (unanimous)
|[[Bellator 290]]
|{{dts|2023|February|4}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|[[Inglewood, California]], United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|9–0
|[[Jared Rosholt]]
|TKO (punches)
|[[PFL 10 (2019 season)|PFL 10 (2019)]]
|{{dts|2019|December|31}}
|align=center|4
|align=center|4:09
|[[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States
|{{small|Won the [[List of Professional Fighters League champions#2019|2019 PFL Heavyweight Tournament]].}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|8–0
|[[Denis Goltsov]]
|TKO (punches)
|rowspan=2 | [[PFL 9 (2019 season)|PFL 9 (2019)]]
|rowspan=2 | {{dts|2019|October|31}}
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 4:59
|rowspan=2 | [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|{{small|[[2019 in Professional Fighters League#2019 PFL Heavyweight playoffs|2019 PFL Heavyweight Tournament]] Semifinal.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|7–0
|[[Kelvin Tiller]]
|Decision (unanimous)
|align=center|2
|align=center|5:00
|{{small|[[2019 in Professional Fighters League#2019 PFL Heavyweight playoffs|2019 PFL Heavyweight Tournament]] Quarterfinal.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|6–0
|[[Carl Seumanutafa]]
|Decision (unanimous)
|[[PFL 6 (2019 season)|PFL 6 (2019)]]
|{{dts|2019|August|8}}
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|[[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–0
| Valdrin Istrefi
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[PFL 3 (2019 season)|PFL 3 (2019)]]
| {{dts|2019|June|6}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Uniondale, New York]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–0
| Alexander Gladkov
| KO (spinning wheel kick and punches)
| [[2018 in Fight Nights Global#Fight Nights Global 90: Mineev vs. Ismailov|Fight Nights Global 90: Mineev vs. Ismailov]]
| {{dts|2018|October|19}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:36
| [[Moscow]], Russia
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–0
| Vladimir Daineko
| TKO (punches)
| [[2018 in Fight Nights Global#Fight Nights Global 83: Alibekov vs. Aliev|Fight Nights Global 83: Alibekov vs. Aliev]]
| {{dts|2018|February|23}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 0:40
| [[Moscow]], Russia
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0
| Mikhail Kabargin
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[2016 in Fight Nights Global#Fight Nights Global 53: Day 1 - Gimbatov vs. Shokalo|Fight Nights Global 53: Day 1 - Gimbatov vs. Shokalo]]
| {{dts|2016|October|7}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Moscow]], Russia
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Timofey Mishev
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[2016 in Fight Nights Global#Fight Nights Global 46: Mokhnatkin vs. Kudin|Fight Nights Global 46: Mokhnatkin vs. Kudin]]
| {{dts|2016|April|29}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Moscow]], Russia
| {{small|Heavyweight debut.}}
{{end}}
==Freestyle record==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; font-size:95%;"
|-
! colspan="7"| World Championships & Olympic Games Matches
|-
!  Res.
!  Opponent
!  Score
!  Date
!  Event
!  Location
|-
! style=background:white colspan=6 |{{small|[[2010 World Wrestling Championships|2010 World Championships]] }}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=left|{{flagicon|GRE}} [[Ioannis Arzoumanidis]]
|style="font-size:88%"|0–1, 0–1
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|September 6–12, 2010
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|[[2010 World Wrestling Championships]]
|style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=5|{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Moscow]], [[Russia]]
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=left|{{flagicon|BLR}} [[Aleksey Shemarov]]
|style="font-size:88%"|1-0, 6-0
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=left|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[Artur Taymazov]]
|style="font-size:88%"|0–1, 3–2,0-1
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=left|{{flagicon|CMR}} Andrei Podsevalnicov
|style="font-size:88%"|3-0, 4-0
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=left|{{flagicon|MDA}} Hugues Onanena
|style="font-size:88%"|2-0, 5-0
|-
! style=background:white colspan=6 |{{small|[[2009 World Wrestling Championships|2009 World Championships]] }}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} [[Tervel Dlagnev]]
|style="font-size:88%"|0–1, 0–4
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|September 21–29, 2009
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|[[2009 World Wrestling Championships]]
|style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=3|{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Herning]], [[Denmark]]
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=left|{{flagicon|KAZ}} [[Marid Mutalimov]]
|style="font-size:88%"|2-0, 1-0
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=left|{{flagicon|VEN}}  Yonsi Sánchez
|style="font-size:88%"|1–0, 1–0
|-
! style=background:white colspan=6 |{{small|[[2008 Summer Olympics]] }}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=left|{{flagicon|CUB}} [[Disney Rodríguez]]
|style="font-size:88%"|0–1, 0–4
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=2|August 21, 2008
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=2|[[2008 Summer Olympics]]
|style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=2|{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Beijing]], [[China]]
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=left|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[Artur Taymazov]]
|style="font-size:88%"|0-2, 3-4
|-
! style=background:white colspan=6 |{{small|[[2007 World Wrestling Championships|2007 World Championships]] }}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=left|{{flagicon|UZB}} [[Artur Taymazov]]
|style="font-size:88%"|0–1, 0–4
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|September 17–23, 2007
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|[[2007 World Wrestling Championships]]
|style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=3|{{flagicon|AZE}} [[Baku]], [[Azerbaijan]]
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=left|{{flagicon|MGL}} Ganzorigiin Gankhuyag
|style="font-size:88%"|3–5, 3–0 F
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=left|{{flagicon|POL}}  Maksymilian Witek
|style="font-size:88%"|4–2, 1–0 F
|-
|}
==See also==
*[[List of current Bellator MMA fighters]]
*[[List of male mixed martial artists]]
==References==
<references />
* [http://www.fila-wrestling.com/vilnius09/index.php?option=com_competition&act=ficheLutteur&style=FS&choix_poids=*&choix_pays=1236&id_inscrit=30247&act2=lutteur&lang=enl Wrestler bio on FILAwrestling.com] {{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
==External links==
* [https://www.pflmma.com/fighter/ali-isaev Ali Isaev] at [[Professional Fighters League|PFL]]
* Ali Isaev at {{sports links|maxlink=20|short=1}}
* {{Instagram}}
{{European Champions freestyle wrestling super heavyweight}}
{{WSOF Title Holders}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Isaev, Ali}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Azerbaijani male mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing freestyle wrestling]]
[[Category:Olympic wrestlers for Azerbaijan]]
[[Category:Wrestlers at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:European Wrestling Championships medalists]]
[[Category:European Wrestling Champions]]
[[Category:Russian male sport wrestlers]]
[[Category:Azerbaijani male sport wrestlers]]
[[Category:Martial artists from Makhachkala]]
[[Category:21st-century Russian sportsmen]]