Ikram Aliskerov made his way to the UFC by securing a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series 54 in 2022, and before joining the promotion, he had competed in combat sambo, Brave Combat Federation, and Eagle Fighting Championship. Now, Aliskerov is set to return to action at UFC 321 on October 25, 2025, to face Jun Yong Park, in what could mark his rise to prominence in the middleweight division!

Born and raised in a land known for producing world champions, Aliskerov carries the discipline and humility that define Dagestan’s warriors. But who is he beyond the gloves? What are his origins, and how have his faith and heritage shaped his journey to the UFC? Let’s take a closer look!

Where Was Ikram Aliskerov Born? His Lezgin Ethnicity and Dagestan Roots

Ikram Aliskerov was born in the Kasumkent village of the Suleyman-Stalsky District in Dagestan, Russia, on December 7, 1992. He belongs to the ‘Lezgin’ ethnic group known to hail predominantly from southern Dagestan and northeastern Azerbaijan. The term ‘Lezgi’ is reportedly derived from their word for eagle, ‘Lek’, which is also considered to be their national animal. However, many other sources have provided different interpretations of the term’s origin.

Aliskerov represents the nation of Russia and also has a history with former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and his family, as his early days of training in sambo and judo were conducted by experts who came from Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s gym! In fact, sources online indicate that Khabib and Aliskerov also spent some time together in training camps when they were younger.

What Is Ikram Aliskerov’s Religion and Cultural Heritage?

Although Ikram Aliskerov hasn’t publicly mentioned his religious beliefs, many fighters from Dagestan follow Islam. The same values that define Dagestan’s martial arts philosophy, respect, loyalty, and courage, are deeply intertwined with Islamic traditions in the region.

Ikram Aliskerov’s Early Life, Family, and Path to Combat Sports

Ikram Aliskerov’s father’s name is Sabir Aliskerov, and not much else has been disclosed to the public about his personal life as the fighter prefers to keep his personal life away from the spotlight. This is a common theme among several Dagestani fighters.

Every fighter’s story begins somewhere and for Aliskerov, it started in the fifth grade. That’s when he first attended sambo and judo classes, unknowingly setting the stage for what would become an illustrious combat career. Under the mentorship of seasoned trainers linked to Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s gym, he honed his craft. At 19, he received an invitation to join the “Champion” club, led by coach Esadull Emiragaev. There, he began training in mixed martial arts, combining his sambo background with striking and grappling techniques.

From an early age, Aliskerov’s drive was unmistakable. “My main goal in my career now is to get to the UFC,” he once said, and he kept his word. Before his UFC debut, Aliskerov built a formidable résumé in combat sambo, earning six major international gold medals across world and European championships. Between 2012 and 2017, he dominated the circuit, capturing titles under the Fédération Internationale de Sambo, European Sambo Federation, and the World Combat Sambo Federation.

Transitioning to MMA, Aliskerov first competed professionally between 2012 and 2015, winning all three bouts. In 2017, he signed with Brave Combat Federation, where he quickly rose to prominence with a series of dominant victories. Later, he fought in Eagle FC, where he defeated Nah-Shon Burrell via unanimous decision.

His breakthrough came at Dana White’s Contender Series on September 13, 2022, where he submitted Mário Sousa with a kimura in the first round, earning his long-awaited UFC contract. Since then, Aliskerov’s UFC journey has been a rollercoaster. He debuted at UFC 288, knocking out Phil Hawes in the first round. He later earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his win over Warlley Alves at UFC 294. 

Though his main-event fight against Robert Whittaker ended in a first-round loss, Aliskerov rebounded with a statement win over André Muniz in April 2025. Now, with his UFC 321 clash against Jun Yong Park on the horizon, the Dagestani powerhouse stands at the edge of another defining moment!