Saygid Izagakhmaev replaces Abubakar Nurmagomedov to face David Martinez at PFL Dubai

Saygid Izagakhmaev has stepped in to face David Martinez at PFL Dubai on November 14, replacing Abubakar Nurmagomedov, who has withdrawn from the bout.

Izagakhmaev, 32, arrives with a 22-4 record and fights out of the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School. The Russian is a grappling-heavy fighter. He averages four takedowns per 15 minutes, while landing just 1.33 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. His most recent recorded fight was a unanimous decision loss to Abubakar Vagaev on July 25, 2026, and the defeat before it was a split decision against Nicolas Dalby on November 22, 2025. He is looking to snap a two-fight skid.

Martinez, known as "Black Spartan," is 15-1 and ranked eighth at bantamweight. The 28-year-old Mexican trains with Bonebreakers MMA and has been in strong form. He won unanimous decisions over Rob Font in September 2025, Marlon Vera in February 2026 and Dan Ige on September 12, 2026, his most recent recorded fight. That gives him three straight victories over established names, all going the distance.

Nurmagomedov, the man Izagakhmaev replaces, is 36 years old with a 17-4-1 record. His most recent recorded fight was a split decision loss to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in June 2023.

Why it matters

• Style clash: Izagakhmaev's four takedowns per 15 minutes sits against Martinez's 4.5 significant strikes per minute, nearly three and a half times Izagakhmaev's output of 1.33.
• Size: Izagakhmaev stands six feet tall with a 74-inch reach, giving him three inches in height and four in reach over the five-foot-five Martinez.
• Takedown gap: Martinez averages 0.7 takedowns per 15 minutes, far below his opponent's rate, so where the fight takes place could decide it.
• Momentum: Martinez comes in unbeaten across his last three recorded bouts, while Izagakhmaev is looking to end a two-fight losing run.

The change comes just days before the card, leaving Izagakhmaev a short window to prepare.