Azamat Bekoev broke his silence one week after his loss to Treshon Gore at UFC 327, acknowledging he has deviated from his successful fighting style in recent bouts. He revealed he is currently dealing with multiple injuries including a broken hand, broken nose, and broken leg, with surgery scheduled for his hand and nose. Despite the setback, Bekoev expressed gratitude for overwhelming support from fans worldwide and particularly from the Caucasus region. He announced his intention to return to his roots and the fighting style that previously brought him victories, while thanking his sponsors for standing by him during this difficult period.
One week after suffering a loss to Treshon Gore at UFC 327, Russian middleweight Azamat Bekoev has broken his silence, revealing a serious injury toll and pledging to overhaul his approach inside the octagon.
Bekoev, 30, fights out of American Top Team and carries a professional record of 20-5. Standing six feet tall with a 72-inch reach, the orthodox striker has built his career on a well-rounded offensive game, averaging 4.57 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate while also threatening opponents on the mat with 3.48 takedown attempts per 15 minutes. The defeat to Gore marked his fifth career loss and has clearly prompted a period of deep reflection.
In his public statement, Bekoev acknowledged that he had drifted away from the fighting style responsible for his past successes, suggesting recent performances have not reflected his true capabilities. He also disclosed a troubling injury picture: a broken hand, broken nose, and broken leg, with surgeries already scheduled to address the hand and nose. The broken leg adds further uncertainty to any potential timeline for his return.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Bekoev expressed appreciation for the volume of fan support he received following the defeat, singling out messages from supporters across the Caucasus region and worldwide. He also thanked his sponsors for their continued backing during the recovery period.
Why it matters
- Bekoev's 20-5 record and multi-dimensional skill set keep him relevant in a competitive division, but back-to-back setbacks would put serious pressure on his ranking trajectory.
- Surgeries on both his hand and nose mean an extended absence is likely, reshaping the middleweight landscape around him.
- His stated intention to return to a more identity-driven style could signal a meaningful reset for one of the division's more technically complete fighters.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
