Nursulton Ruziboev Fought Pulyaev Weeks After Double ACL Replacement Surgery

Nursulton Ruziboev competed against Andrey Pulyaev having undergone simultaneous surgery on both knees — a procedure that included replacement of both anterior cruciate ligaments — in the weeks prior to the bout, making the fact that he stepped into the cage at all a striking testament to his durability.

Ruziboev, known as "Black," carries a record of 37 wins, 9 losses, and 2 draws across a lengthy career representing Uzbekistan. The six-foot-five orthodox fighter, now 32, competes out of UZB Patriot and has averaged 0.75 takedowns per fifteen minutes, showing a well-rounded game despite a striking accuracy of 46 percent and 2.59 significant strikes landed per minute. Battling through a double ACL replacement — one of the more serious orthopedic procedures an athlete can face — to compete speaks to the physical demands he places on his body.

His opponent in that fight, Andrey Pulyaev, is a 28-year-old Russian southpaw out of Storm Shlemenko Fight Team. Standing six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach, Pulyaev holds a professional record of 10 wins and 5 losses. He lands significant strikes at a rate of 3.84 per minute and connects at an impressive 56 percent accuracy, making him a genuinely dangerous striker on the feet.

Why it matters

• Ruziboev's ability to compete shortly after bilateral ACL surgery raises serious questions about recovery timelines and fighter health management.
• With that fight now behind him, Ruziboev is scheduled to face Michael "Venom" Page on September 5 at UFC Paris, giving his physical condition heightened relevance.
• Page, ranked thirteenth in the welterweight division, is a 39-year-old English striker from London Shootfighters with a 25-3-0 record and a 79-inch reach, making him a technically sharp opponent.
• How Ruziboev's knees hold up heading into that Paris bout will be a central concern for his camp in the coming weeks.