Dana White & Co. has always been keen on allowing young talents to shine, and 2023 was no exception. They introduced the now 31-year-old rising star Asu Almabayev, a former interim M-1 Global flyweight champion with an impressive 17-2 record. Within just under two years, ‘Zulfikar’ has made a significant impact in the 125lbs division, competing four times since 2023 and establishing himself as a formidable force.

Moreover, his victories over top fighters like Matheus Nicolau, and Jose Johnson while maintaining an undefeated streak in the UFC, have made waves in the MMA world. As a result, this rapid rise has sparked growing curiosity among fans about Asu Almabayev’s background, particularly his nationality, ethnicity, and religion. So, let’s now take a closer look at the life of this promising flyweight to uncover what drives his extraordinary success.

All about Asu Almabayev’s nationality, religion, and more

In 2020, 26-year-old Shavkat Rakhmonov made history by becoming one of the few fighters from Kazakhstan to sign with the UFC, joining the promotion with an undefeated record. This groundbreaking achievement set a new standard, as no other Kazakh fighter had ever reached such a milestone in the UFC. Fast forward to 2025, and ‘Nomad’ is no longer the sole representative from Kazakhstan in the UFC. His historic success not only secured his place in UFC history but also paved the way for fellow Kazakh talent Asu Almabayev.

Asu Almabayev’s grandparents raised him in the Sarysu district of the Jambyl Region until age 10 when he moved to Almaty to live with his parents. While Almabayev has not publicly disclosed his religious affiliation, it’s notable that, according to the U.S. Department of State’s “Report on International Religious Freedom: Kazakhstan,” more than 70% of Kazakhstan’s population practices Islam. Despite the disruptions in his early life, Almabayev’s commitment to training remained unwavering. He began wrestling at the age of five and later broadened his martial arts repertoire to include karate, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Other unknown facts about Asu Almabayev

Asu Almabayev’s athletic journey has been profoundly influenced by his childhood idol, Gennady Golovkin, the iconic Kazakh middleweight boxer.’ GGG’, a multi-time world champion who held the WBA, IBF, WBC, and IBO titles, became a towering figure in the sports world. In 2022, Golovkin even challenged for the undisputed super middleweight title, further solidifying his legacy. Inspired by Golovkin’s success, ‘Zulfikar’ began his MMA training at just 16 years old.

Initially, the Kazakh prospect made waves on the regional circuit, and with his growing reputation, he soon expanded his career to international MMA promotions, including M-1 Global and AMC Fight Nights. Furthermore, Almabayev spent time-fighting in Bahrain’s BRAVE FC, an experience that ultimately led to his opportunity to fight in the UFC.

Now, at 31, his mission remains unwavering: To “win the belt.” Although that dream is still within reach but not yet realized, it is certainly attainable. As Almabayev continues to rise through the flyweight ranks, he has the potential to become the next Shavkat Rakhmonov of his division.

Now, all eyes are on Asu Almabayev as he makes his highly anticipated return to the Octagon after a brief break, set to face UFC veteran Manel Kape (20-7) at UFC Fight Night 253 on March 1st. With an opportunity to improve his record, ‘Zulfikar’s performance will certainly be one to watch. Stay tuned for more updates.