Almabayev ground out a gritty victory over Johnson at UFC Baku, controlling the grappling exchanges before finishing with a Suleymanov stretch late in the third round. The bout featured creative ground work from both fighters throughout.
Asu "Zulfikar" Almabayev earned a third-round submission victory over Johnson at UFC Baku on June 27, 2026, closing the fight with a Suleymanov stretch finish to secure one of the more technically intricate grappling performances on the card.
Almabayev, ranked eighth in the flyweight division, improves to 24-3-0 with the win. The 32-year-old Kazakhstani fighter, who trains out of DAR Pro Team, has built his reputation on persistent grappling pressure, and the numbers back it up. He averages 4.46 takedowns per 15 minutes and attempts 1.5 submissions per 15 minutes, a combination that makes him a constant threat once a fight hits the canvas. He also brings a credible striking game, landing 2.31 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy, which helps him create the openings he needs to initiate his takedowns.
The bout was competitive throughout, with Johnson engaging in creative ground exchanges rather than simply trying to survive on the mat. Almabayev nonetheless controlled the majority of the grappling phases before finding his finish late in the third round, applying the Suleymanov stretch — a shoulder-lock variation that demands precise positioning — to force the stoppage.
Why it matters
- Almabayev's win strengthens his case as a legitimate top-ten flyweight threat, keeping him in the divisional conversation at ranked eighth.
- The finishing ability he demonstrated, particularly with a low-percentage submission like the Suleymanov stretch, signals technical growth beyond his already strong wrestling base.
- A victory at an international event in Baku raises his profile ahead of potential matchups with higher-ranked flyweights.
