Analysis: Abdul-Rahman Yakhyaev's two toughest tests reveal well-rounded skillset

A detailed look at Abdul-Rahman Yakhyaev's two most competitive bouts highlights his ability to win beyond the first round. In 2022, the 21-year-old submitted Nazhmudin Yusupov with a triangle choke in round two after surviving a difficult first frame, and in 2023 he defeated Nikolai Kovalenko — a Master of Sports in judo — by unanimous decision over five rounds after being dropped in round two. The fights demonstrate that alongside his finishing power, Yakhyaev possesses reliable takedowns, ground control, and composure under adversity.