Timur Valiev


Timur Arsenovich Valiev is a Russian of Lak heritage mixed martial artist, who most recently competed in the bantamweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

Timur Valiev was born on January 19, 1990 in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia. In the high school he competed in soccer, then at the age of sixteen on the advice of a friend he joined to Wushu Sanda. Also he trained kickboxing and thai boxing. He won a gold medal in European Pankration Championship and 3rd in World Cup.
At the age of 19 began to train mixed martial arts and representing Dag-fighter team.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Valiev made his professional MMA debut in September 4, 2010 in Portugal at the World Ultimate Full Contact 16 against Olle Raberg of Sweden. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
After an unsuccessful debut, he made a series of a six wins before career in the World Series of Fighting.

Eurasia Fight Nights Global

Valiev faced UFC hopeful Oleg Borisov on November 3, 2012 at the EFN - Battle of Moscow 8. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

World Series of Fighting

His WSOF debut was at the on June 14, 2014 against Adam Acquaviva. He won the fight via technical knockout in the third round.
Valiev faced Isaiah Chapman at the WSOF 13 on September 13, 2014. He won thefight via unanimous decision.
Valiev faced Ed West at the WSOF 19 on March 28, 2015. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.
Valiev faced Tito Jones at the WSOF 23 on September 28, 2015. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Valiev faced Chris Gutiérrez at the WSOF 28 on February 20, 2016. He lost the back-and-forth fight by split decision. After the fight WSOF president Ray Sefo did not agree with the result fight and gave a rematch for Valiev.
In their second fight, Valiev defeated Chris Gutiérrez at WSOF 33 on October 7, 2016 via unanimous decision.
Valiev was expected to face Bekbulat Magomedov on March 18, 2017, at WSOF 35 for vacant Bantamweight title. However, Valiev pulled out of the fight in the beginning of March citing an elbow injury and was replaced by Donavon Frelow.

Professional Fighters League

Valiev faced Josenaldo Silva on November 2, 2017 at PFL: Fight Night. He won the fight via submission in the third round.
Valiev faced Max Coga on June 7, 2018 at PFL 1. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Originally a fight between Timur Valiev vs. Lee Coville was set, however due to undisclosed reasons Coville was forced to pull out, and was replaced by countrymen Bekbulat Magomedov on 19 July 2018 at PFL 4.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Valiev was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Jamall Emmers in a featherweight bout on August 1, 2020 at. However, Valiev was removed from the card two days before the event for undisclosed reasons and replaced by Vincent Cachero.

Championships and accomplishments

Pankration