Muin “Tajik” Gafurov

Status: Former ONE Athlete

As a child growing up in Tajikistan, Combat Sambo World Champion Muin Gafurov was a keen footballer, but when he was 14 his uncle introduced him to combat sambo, which would change his life forever. He went on to win numerous tournaments, and made a successful professional mixed martial arts debut in 2013. In just his second bout, he beat a top prospect with a perfect 7-0 record, and was suddenly rated as one of the best bantamweight prospects in the country.

In 2015, he stood victorious at the Combat Sambo World Championships in Moscow, winning the tournament to earn a ONE Championship contract. Upon making his promotional debut, he stopped Casey Suire with a stunning spinning back kick to the body. He then followed that up with an impressive third-round stoppage win over former ONE Bantamweight World Title challenger Toni Tauru.

Gafurov normally trains in his native Tajikistan, but he has spent time in New York and Phuket training with internationally-renowned martial artists and former world champions to sharpen his skills.