Bekzat Almakhan has signed with RKENA, a Georgian MMA organization founded in 2025, following his controversial release from the UFC. The Kazakh bantamweight prospect made headlines during his UFC tenure by knocking down Umar Nurmagomedov in his debut and later stopping Brad Katona, but dropped his final two bouts against Aleksandre Topuria and Jean Matsumoto. His release drew widespread criticism, with many in the MMA community viewing it as premature given the difficulty of his matchups.
Bekzat Almakhan has found a new home, signing with Georgian MMA organization RKENA following his release from the UFC, the promotion announced on August 26, 2026.
Almakhan, nicknamed "The Turan Warrior," is a 28-year-old Kazakh bantamweight who carries a professional record of 12 wins and 4 losses. Standing five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach, the orthodox fighter trains out of Triumph Fights. His UFC stint generated significant attention despite ending on a losing note — he knocked down Umar Nurmagomedov during his promotional debut, a remarkable early statement against one of the division's most accomplished prospects, and later earned a stoppage victory over Brad Katona. Back-to-back losses to Aleksandre Topuria and Jean Matsumoto ultimately led to his departure from the organization.
The release sparked a notable backlash within the MMA community, with critics arguing that the quality of Almakhan's opposition made his record inside the UFC a poor measure of his actual potential. The consensus among many observers was that cutting him was a premature decision.
RKENA, founded in 2025, is a Georgian promotion still establishing itself on the regional MMA landscape. The signing of a fighter with Almakhan's UFC pedigree represents a meaningful addition to the organization's roster.
Why it matters
- Almakhan's UFC highlight reel — particularly the knockdown of ranked contender Umar Nurmagomedov — gives RKENA instant credibility with a recognizable signing
- The move continues a broader trend of UFC-released fighters landing with ambitious regional promotions looking to accelerate their profiles
- At just 28 years old, Almakhan has time to rebuild his record and potentially attract future interest from major organizations
