Kairat Akhmetov (Kazakh: Қайрат Ахметов; born October 12, 1987[2]) is a Kazakhstani professional mixed martial artist. He currently fights as a flyweight for ONE Championship and is a former ONE Flyweight Champion.
| Kairat Akhmetov | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 12, 1987 Taldy-Kurgan, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union |
| Native name | Қайрат Ахметов |
| Other names | The Kazakh |
| Nationality | Kazakhstani |
| Height | 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
| Weight | 61 kg (134 lb; 10 st) |
| Division | Flyweight |
| Reach | 65 in (165 cm) |
| Style | Greco-Roman Wrestling[1] |
| Team | Tiger Muay Thai (2016–present)[1] Arlan MMA Pro Team |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 32 |
| Wins | 30 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 13 |
| By decision | 12 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov was inspired by his father, an amateur champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, and soon followed in his footsteps. Akhmetov started training in 2000, and proved to be as talented as his father, eventually becoming a three-time National Greco-Roman Champion in Kazakhstan. He also took to Taekwondo, winning a regional championship.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
After turning professional in 2010, Akhmetov racked a 19–0 record almost solely in his native Kazakhstani regional circuit before being signed to the ONE Championship in 2015.[3]
ONE Championship
During his ONE Championship debut at ONE Championship: Dynasty of Champions (Beijing II) Akhmetov won the ONE Flyweight Championship from Adriano Moraes by split decision. During the bout, Akhmetov suffered a back injury, leaving him unable to compete for nearly two years.[4][5] During Akhmetov's absence, Moraes would capture the Interim ONE Flyweight Championship. The two would meet again at ONE Championship: Kings & Conquerors for the unification bout. Akhmetov lost via unanimous decision.[6]
At ONE Championship: Global Superheroes Akhmetov lost to Geje Eustaquio by unanimous decision in a bout for the Interim ONE Flyweight Championship.[7]
Akhmetov faced Danny Kingad at ONE: Winter Warriors II on December 17, 2021. He won the bout via unanimous decision.[8]
Akhmetov faced Tatsumitsu Wada at ONE 158 on June 3, 2022.[9] Akhmetov won the bout via unanimous decision.[10]
Akhmetov faced Reece McLaren at ONE Fight Night 10 on May 5, 2023.[11] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[12][13]
On June 16, 2023, it was reported that Akhmetov had tested positive for a banned substance in an out-of-competition drug test and will face a six-month suspension.[14]
Championships and accomplishments
- ONE Championship
- ONE Flyweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| 32 matches | 30 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 0 |
| By submission | 13 | 0 |
| By decision | 12 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 30–2 | Reece McLaren | Decision (unanimous) | ONE Fight Night 10 | May 5, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 29–2 | Tatsumitsu Wada | Decision (unanimous) | ONE 158 | June 3, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Win | 28–2 | Danny Kingad | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Winter Warriors II | December 17, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Win | 27–2 | Kim Dae-hwan | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Collision Course 2 | December 18, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | Catchweight (138 lb) bout. |
| Win | 26–2 | Reece McLaren | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: A New Era | March 31, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. Later withdraw from the tournament due to injury. |
| Win | 25–2 | Haobin Ma | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Conquest of Heroes | September 22, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Jakarta, Indonesia | |
| Loss | 24–2 | Geje Eustaquio | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Global Superheroes | January 26, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Manila, Philippines | For the Interim ONE Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 24–1 | Geje Eustaquio | Decision (split) | ONE: Total Victory | September 16, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Jakarta, Indonesia | |
| Loss | 23–1 | Adriano Moraes | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Kings & Conquerors | August 5, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Macau, SAR, China | Lost the ONE Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 23–0 | Adriano Moraes | Decision (split) | ONE: Dynasty of Champions (Beijing II) | November 21, 2015 | 5 | 5:00 | Beijing, China | Won the ONE Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 22–0 | Artemij Sitenkov | TKO (corner stoppage) | Alash Pride: Golden Horde | October 17, 2015 | 1 | 3:01 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 21–0 | Salah Elkas | Decision (unanimous) | Alash Pride: Warriors of the Steppe | November 23, 2014 | 2 | 5:00 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 20–0 | Tatsuya Watanabe | Decision (unanimous) | Alash Pride: Great Battle 2 | December 19, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 19–0 | Yoo Jae-nam | Decision (unanimous) | AP: Grand Prix 2013 | July 7, 2013 | 2 | 5:00 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 18–0 | Nurali Bakirdinova | Submission (choke) | Alash Pride: Great Battle | March 30, 2013 | 1 | 3:05 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 17–0 | Zhuo Yang | Submission (rear-naked choke) | AP: Alash Pride 2 | December 22, 2012 | 1 | 1:30 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 16–0 | Rafaels Saldes | Submission (armbar) | Bushido Luihuania: Vol. 53 | November 30, 2012 | 1 | 4:12 | London, England | |
| Win | 15–0 | Kaan Kazgan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bushido Luihuania: Vol. 53 | June 8, 2012 | 2 | 2:41 | Astana, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 14–0 | Vladislav Nikitchenko | Decision (unanimous) | AP: Nowruz Cup 2012 | March 18, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 13–0 | Ruslan Belikov | KO (punch) | Bushido Luihuania: Vol. 50 | December 21, 2011 | 1 | 0:49 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 12–0 | Farkhad Firuzi | Submission (rear-naked choke) | AP: Cardinal Cup 2011 | October 16, 2011 | 1 | 3:48 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 11–0 | Nurlan Kamagulov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Zhekpe Zhek Cup 2011 | October 10, 2011 | 1 | 3:01 | Kaskelen, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 10–0 | Aziz Baginbaev | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 4:23 | ||||
| Win | 9–0 | Janibek Omaruly | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 1:23 | ||||
| Win | 8–0 | Abdyrashid Zholdasbayev | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Riviera Grand Prix 2011 | July 28, 2011 | 1 | 1:30 | Kapchagai, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 7–0 | Djamadyn Zaribzhanov | TKO (punches) | Riviera Grand Prix 2011 | July 28, 2011 | 1 | 1:04 | Kapchagai, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 6–0 | Janibek Omaruly | Submission (Achilles lock) | Iron Horde: Kazakhstan vs. Kyrgyzstan | July 1, 2011 | 1 | 2:21 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 5–0 | Amanjol Kunanyshbaev | TKO (punches) | Sarbaz Cup 2011: Kazakhstan vs. Uzbekistan | May 1, 2011 | 1 | 3:18 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 4–0 | Tofik Mamedov | TKO (punches) | S-1: Selection 2011 | April 22, 2011 | 1 | 4:20 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 3–0 | Zirodin Abdulkerimov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Alash Pride 1 | March 19, 2011 | 1 | 2:54 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 2–0 | Nurazy Balayev | Submission (standing guillotine choke) | Iron Horde Cup 2 | August 1, 2010 | 1 | 2:38 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 1–0 | Anatoly Akhmetov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Iron Horde Cup | May 1, 2010 | 1 | 0:48 | Almaty, Kazakhstan |