Introduction
Bazigit AtavovichAtajev (Kumyk: Bozigit Atay Atawnu ulanı, Russian: Бозигит Атавович Атаев; born December 3, 1979) is a Russian mixed martial artist and sanshou kickboxer of Kumyk heritage, who currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional since 2000, he has competed in RINGS and PRIDE Fighting Championships. He is known for a fierce spinning heel kick and Sambo style grappling.
Mixed martial arts career
PRIDE Fighting Championships
Atajev debuted in PRIDE in December 2002 and suffered his only loss against Dutchman Alistair Overeem at PRIDE 24. Atajev planned to make his return to PRIDE at their final event PRIDE 34 against Gilbert Yvel. However, due to a stomach illness, the bout was cancelled.
In 2008, he faced the eventual K-1 champion Remy Bonjasky in his kickboxing debut. He was defeated by knockout early in the third round.
He won the gold medal at the 2013 World Wushu Championships.
Professional Fighters League
Atajev made his debut in North America on 21 June 2018 at PFL 2 against Dan Spohn in Light heavyweight tournaments. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the third round.
In his second fight in the tournament, Atajev faced Sean O'Connell at PFL 7 on August 30, 2018. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.
In the semifinals, Atajev faced Vinny Magalhaes, losing via first-round submission.
In 2019, Atajev fought Dan Spohn in a rematch at PFL 3, winning in via first-round knockout. On August 8 at PFL 6, Atajev fought Emiliano Sordi, losing via first-round knockout. He faced Sordi again in the quarterfinals of the 2019 tournament, losing via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 25 matches | 20 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 13 | 3 |
| By submission | 6 | 2 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 20-5 | Emiliano Sordi | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PFL 9 | October 31, 2019 | 1 | 4:26 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 2019 PFL Light Heavyweight Semifinal bout. |
| Loss | 20-4 | Emiliano Sordi | KO (punches) | PFL 6 | August 8, 2019 | 1 | 1:22 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 20–3 | Dan Spohn | KO (punches) | PFL 3 | June 6, 2019 | 1 | 3:25 | Uniondale, New York, United States | |
| Loss | 19–3 | Vinny Magalhães | Submission (kimura) | PFL 9 | October 13, 2018 | 1 | 1:58 | Long Beach, California, United States | 2018 PFL Light Heavyweight Semifinal bout. |
| Win | 19–2 | Emiliano Sordi | TKO (punches) | 1 | 1:43 | 2018 PFL Light Heavyweight Quarterfinal bout. | |||
| Win | 18–2 | Sean O'Connell | TKO (spinning back kick and punches) | PFL 7 | August 30, 2018 | 1 | 3:30 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 17–2 | Dan Spohn | TKO (punches) | PFL 2 | June 21, 2018 | 3 | 4:31 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 17–1 | Jeremy May | TKO (punches) | Kunlun Fight MMA 10 | April 6, 2017 | 1 | 2:15 | Beijing, China | |
| Win | 16–1 | Valdas Pocevicius | KO (punches) | HERO'S Lithuania 2006 | November 11, 2006 | 1 | 2:02 | Vilnius, Lithuania | |
| Win | 15–1 | Beneilton Pereira da Silva | TKO (punches) | RINGS Russia: CIS vs. The World | August 20, 2005 | 1 | 1:03 | Yekaterinburg, Russia | |
| Win | 14–1 | Mindaugas Kulikauskas | Submission (armbar) | Shooto Lithuania: King of Bushido Stage 1 | November 14, 2003 | 1 | 1:53 | Vilnius, Lithuania | |
| Loss | 13–1 | Alistair Overeem | TKO (knee to the body) | PRIDE 24 | December 23, 2002 | 2 | 4:59 | Fukuoka, Japan | |
| Win | 13–0 | Kestutis Arbocius | Submission (guillotine choke) | RINGS Lithuania: Bushido RINGS 5: Shock | November 9, 2002 | 2 | 2:58 | Vilnius, Lithuania | |
| Win | 12–0 | Chris Franco | Submission (neck crank) | Shoot Boxing: S-Cup 2002 | July 7, 2002 | 1 | 2:31 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 11–0 | Tsuyoshi Kohsaka | Decision (majority) | RINGS: World Title Series 5 | December 21, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 10–0 | Aaron Brink | KO (spinning back kick) | RINGS: 10th Anniversary | August 11, 2001 | 1 | 1:09 | Tokyo, Japana | |
| Win | 9–0 | Maynard Marcum | KO (punch) | RINGS: World Title Series 2 | June 15, 2001 | 1 | 1:08 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 8–0 | Roman Zentsov | KO (spinning wheel kick) | BARS: Moscow vs St. Petersburg | May 30, 2001 | 1 | 0:10 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 7–0 | Rolandas Digrys | Submission (armbar) | RINGS Lithuania: Bushido Rings 2 | May 8, 2001 | 1 | 0:47 | Vilnius, Lithuania | |
| Win | 6–0 | Dimitar Doichinov | TKO (strikes) | RINGS Russia: Russia vs. Bulgaria | April 6, 2001 | 1 | 4:12 | Yekaterinburg, Russia | |
| Win | 5–0 | Islam Dadalov | Submission (knees and punches) | IAFC: Pankration Russian Championship 2001 | February 8, 2001 | 1 | 0:48 | Yaroslavl, Russia | |
| Win | 4–0 | Vitali Shkraba | TKO (corner stoppage) | IAFC: Pankration Russian Championship 2001 | February 8, 2001 | 1 | 2:45 | Yaroslavl, Russia | |
| Win | 3–0 | Yuri Zhernikov | TKO (punches) | IAFC: Pankration Russian Championship 2001 | February 8, 2001 | 1 | 2:26 | Yaroslavl, Russia | |
| Win | 2–0 | Tikhon Gladkov | TKO (punches) | IAFC: Pankration Russian Championship 2001 | February 8, 2001 | 1 | 1:41 | Yaroslavl, Russia | |
| Win | 1–0 | Arunas Juskevicius | KO | RINGS Lithuania: Bushido RINGS 1 | October 24, 2000 | 1 | 0:14 | Vilnius, Lithuania |