Khusein Askhabov
Lion
Russia
Out
Injury Not Injury Related
Est. Return 10/1/2025
Bout cancelled following arrest
Askhabov has been removed from his scheduled featherweight fight against Daniel Pineda at UFC Vegas 80 on Oct. 7, per an official UFC statement.
ANALYSIS
The UFC's official statement didn't offer many details and basically says it plans to let the legal process play out, but these allegations are essentially as heinous as it gets. In a report released by Thailand-based news outlet The Phuket News, Askhabov and his brother Khasan, along with three other men, were arrested after allegedly robbing, kidnapping and torturing a man in Thailand (where Askhabov trains). While the exact nature of the Askhabov brothers' participation in the most vile aspects of the story remains up for interpretation, it goes without saying that if there's any truth to these allegations whatsoever, the Chechnyan-born fighter will never again compete under the UFC banner and has far more serious legal troubles in his future.
The UFC's official statement didn't offer many details and basically says it plans to let the legal process play out, but these allegations are essentially as heinous as it gets. In a report released by Thailand-based news outlet The Phuket News, Askhabov and his brother Khasan, along with three other men, were arrested after allegedly robbing, kidnapping and torturing a man in Thailand (where Askhabov trains). While the exact nature of the Askhabov brothers' participation in the most vile aspects of the story remains up for interpretation, it goes without saying that if there's any truth to these allegations whatsoever, the Chechnyan-born fighter will never again compete under the UFC banner and has far more serious legal troubles in his future.
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Next bout scheduled
Askhabov will face off against Daniel Pineda at UFC Vegas 80, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Askhabov, who bowed out of his scheduled matchup with Joanderson Brito, will return to the ring against Daniel Pineda. The 28-year-old Russian fighter started his UFC career off with a loss at the hands of Jamall Emmers, and he will look to have a better outing in his second outing with the company.
Askhabov, who bowed out of his scheduled matchup with Joanderson Brito, will return to the ring against Daniel Pineda. The 28-year-old Russian fighter started his UFC career off with a loss at the hands of Jamall Emmers, and he will look to have a better outing in his second outing with the company.
Withdraws from bout
Askhabov (undisclosed) will no longer face off against Joanderson Brito at UFC Vegas 76, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Askhabov has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled matchup with Joanderson Brito as the result of an undisclosed injury. It is unclear when Askhabov, who has withdrawn from his last two fights, is dealing with, or when he will be ready to return.
Askhabov has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled matchup with Joanderson Brito as the result of an undisclosed injury. It is unclear when Askhabov, who has withdrawn from his last two fights, is dealing with, or when he will be ready to return.
Next fight booked
Ashkhabov will take on Joanderson Brito in a featherweight matchup at UFC Vegas 76 on July 1, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Askhabov entered the UFC last February with a spotless 23-0 record, but that was erased when he lost a unanimous decision to Jamall Emmers. Brito, meanwhile, has collected back-to-back first-round stoppage wins, though he hasn't fought since October of 2022. Brito has impressive offensive wrestling, but he can be taken down by a committed wrestler, as shown by his debut loss to Bill Algeo. Askhabov will likely look to get things to the mat, as 10 of his 23 pro victories have came by way of submission.
Askhabov entered the UFC last February with a spotless 23-0 record, but that was erased when he lost a unanimous decision to Jamall Emmers. Brito, meanwhile, has collected back-to-back first-round stoppage wins, though he hasn't fought since October of 2022. Brito has impressive offensive wrestling, but he can be taken down by a committed wrestler, as shown by his debut loss to Bill Algeo. Askhabov will likely look to get things to the mat, as 10 of his 23 pro victories have came by way of submission.
Drops Onama fight
Askhabov will no longer take on David Onama at UFC Fight Night on June 3, Alex Behunin of MMA Mania reports Monday.
ANALYSIS
It's currently unclear as to why exactly Askhabov dropped the Onama fight. However, with reports saying Onama is searching for a new opponent and not Askhabov, it seems unlikely that the bantamweight will compete at UFC Fight Night in early June.
It's currently unclear as to why exactly Askhabov dropped the Onama fight. However, with reports saying Onama is searching for a new opponent and not Askhabov, it seems unlikely that the bantamweight will compete at UFC Fight Night in early June.
Taking on David Onama
Askhabov agreed to fight David Onama at UFC Fight Night on June 3 in Las Vegas, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Askhabov laid an egg in his UFC debut against Jamall Emmers in February, falling via a lopsided unanimous decision despite coming in with a perfect 23-0 record. Onama is 2-2 in the promotion and is coming off a loss to Nate Landwehr in August.
Askhabov laid an egg in his UFC debut against Jamall Emmers in February, falling via a lopsided unanimous decision despite coming in with a perfect 23-0 record. Onama is 2-2 in the promotion and is coming off a loss to Nate Landwehr in August.