Person attributes
Rustam Khabilov (born 4 November 1986) is a Russian mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Lightweight division of Bellator MMA. He is a Combat Sambo World Champion and a former member of the Legion Sport Club fight team in Rostov-on-Don. Prior to signing with Bellator, Khabilov previously fought in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Background
Rustam was born in Goksu-otar village in Dagestan, in a Kumyk family. He studied at the Makhachkala Automobile College, where his sports career began. He started his training under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, soon becoming world and Russia champion in fight sambo discipline. Married, has two sons and a daughter.
Mixed martial arts career
ONE Fighting Championship
In January 2012 it was announced that Khabilov had signed with ONE Fighting Championship. He made his debut at ONE Fighting Championship: Battle of Heroes at The BritAma Arena in Jakarta, Indonesia on 11 February 2012 against BJJ World Champion Rodrigo Ribeiro. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Khabilov signed a four-fight deal with the UFC in July 2012.[4]
In his debut, Khabilov faced Vinc Pichel on 15 December 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale.[5] He won the fight in the first round by hurting Pincel with a suplex and finishing him off with punches on the ground.
For his second fight in the organization, Khabilov faced UFC newcomer and Strikeforce veteran Yancy Medeiros at UFC 159 on 27 April 2013.[6] The fight ended in unusual fashion as Medeiros dislocated his thumb during a takedown by Khabilov early in the first round, resulting in a TKO victory for Khabilov as Medeiros was unable to continue.
For his third UFC fight, Khabilov faced Jorge Masvidal on 6 November 2013 at UFC: Fight for the Troops 3.[7] He won the back-and-forth bout via unanimous decision. The fight also garnered Khabilov his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[8]
Khabilov was expected to face Rafael dos Anjos on 22 February 2014 at UFC 170.[9] However, the bout was cancelled in the weeks leading up to the event due to an injury suffered by Khabilov.[10]
Khabilov faced Benson Henderson on 7 June 2014 in the main event at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov.[11] He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round.
Khabilov was expected to face Danny Castillo on 3 January 2015 at UFC 182.[12] However, Khabilov pulled out of the bout due to alleged visa issues.[13]
Khabilov faced Adriano Martins on 22 February 2015 at UFC Fight Night 61.[14] He lost the fight via split decision.
A rescheduled bout with Danny Castillo was expected to take place on 25 July 2015 at UFC on Fox 16.[15] However, for a second time, Khabilov was removed from the pairing due to alleged visa issues. Castillo faced Jim Miller at the event.[16]
Khabilov faced Norman Parke on 27 February 2016 at UFC Fight Night 84.[17] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[18]
Khabilov was tabbed as an injury replacement for Rashid Magomedov to face Chris Wade on 8 May 2016 at UFC Fight Night 87.[19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]
Khabilov was expected to face Reza Madadi on 3 September 2016 at UFC Fight Night 93.[21] However, on 25 July, Madadi pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Leandro Silva. Khabilov won the fight via unanimous decision.
Khabilov next faced Jason Saggo on 10 December 2016 at UFC 206. He won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.
Khabilov faced Desmond Green on 2 September 2017 at UFC Fight Night 115. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Khabilov was supposed to face Kajan Johnson on 17 March 2018 at UFC Fight Night 127.However, Khabilov pulled out due to injury and was replaced by Stevie Ray.
The bout with Johnson was rescheduled and eventually took place on 15 September 2018 at UFC Fight Night 136.Khabilov won the back-and-forth fight by split decision.
Khabilov faced Carlos Diego Ferreira on 23 February 2019 at UFC Fight Night 145. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Khabilov faced Sergey Khandozhko in a welterweight bout on 9 November 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 21. He won the fight via unanimous decision and became a free agent after the fight.
Bellator MMA
On 2 October 2020, it was reported that Khabilov had signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.[36]
Rustam was expected to make his Bellator debut against Andrey Koreshkov on 23 October 2021 at Bellator 269.[37] However the bout was scrapped after Khabilov came down with a sickness.[38]
Personal life
Rustam has a wife. A devout Sunni Muslim. He trains under Khabib Nurmagomedov's father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov (sambo/MMA), Anvar Magomedgadzhiev, Abdusalam Gadisov and Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (wrestling), Mike Winkeljohn (boxing), Greg Jackson (MMA).
Championships and accomplishments
Sambo
World Combat Sambo Federation (WCSF )
Combat Sambo World Lightweight Champion (2007).[39]
Federation International Amateur de Sambo
Combat Sambo Russian National Middleweight Champion.
Combat Sambo Republic of Dagestan Middleweight Champion (4 Time).
Pankration
Russian Pankration Federation
Pankration Middleweight World Champion
Moscow Middleweight Pankration Open 2010
Combat Jiu Jitsu
Combat Jiu Jitsu Kiev Cup Light-Heavyweight Champion
Mixed martial arts
M-1 Global
M-1 Challenge 2009 Championship.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Fight of the Night (One time)
SporTV.com
2012 Knockout of the year (2nd) vs. Vinc Pichel on 15 December 2012.[40]
UFC Ultimate Insider
UFC Debuts of All-Time (8th) vs. Vinc Pichel on 15 December 2012.[41]
MMAJunkie.com
2018 Robbery of the Year vs. Kajan Johnson[42]
