Former UFC fighter Saygid Izagakhmaev, owner of a 22-4 professional record, has officially signed with the PFL. The promotion confirmed the signing.
Former UFC fighter Saygid Izagakhmaev has signed with the PFL, the promotion confirmed. The Russian lightweight arrives with a 22-4 professional record after a run of defeats at the end of his UFC tenure.
Izagakhmaev, 32, fights out of the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School and competes from an orthodox stance. He stands six feet tall (183 cm) with a 74-inch (188 cm) reach.
His recent form is the notable context for the move. His most recent recorded fight was a unanimous decision loss to Abubakar Vagaev at UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov on July 25, 2026. Before that, he dropped a split decision to Nicolas Dalby at UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker on November 22, 2025. Both losses went the full three rounds, and he has not recorded a finish in either.
The numbers describe a wrestling-first fighter who is efficient rather than prolific on the feet. Izagakhmaev lands 1.33 significant strikes per minute with 58 percent accuracy, a precise but low-volume output. His grappling is the defining feature: he averages four takedowns per 15 minutes. His submission attempt rate sits at zero per 15 minutes, which suggests he uses takedowns for control and positional work rather than to hunt for finishes.
Why it matters
- Izagakhmaev joins the PFL after two straight recorded decision losses, giving the promotion an experienced fighter with 22 career wins.
- His four takedowns per 15 minutes would make him a notable grappling presence for any opponent he faces.
- The move continues a pattern of fighters leaving the UFC roster for other major promotions to rebuild momentum.
No debut date, opponent or weight class has been reported alongside the signing. The PFL has confirmed the deal itself, and further details would be expected to follow.
For a fighter with a 22-4 record and a clear wrestling base, the change of promotion offers a fresh start. His four career losses include the two most recent, and how he performs in his first PFL appearance will be the next measure of whether that run is behind him.
