Ilkhom Nozimov (born 27 March 1995) is an Uzbekistani and Russian mixed martial artist who competes in the Rizin Fighting Federation, where he is a former Rizin Lightweight Champion.
Background Born in Magnitogorsk, Nozimov became fascinated with mixed martial arts by watching Mirko Cro Cop's Pride matches with his brother and began taking up combat sports at the age of six. He then gained experience in various martial arts, including boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, combat sambo, and street fighting, before becoming a mixed martial artist. He made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2015.
Mixed martial arts career Early career In his early bouts, Nozimov primarily fought in Russia and later UAE Warriors of the United Arab Emirates. He amassed a record of 9–3 prior to being signed by Rizin.
Rizin Nozimov made his Rizin debut at Rizin Landmark 7 on 4 November 2023, where he faced Jaures Dea. He won the bout by unanimous decision.
Nozimov faced Sora Yamamoto at Rizin 46 on 29 April 2024. He won the bout by TKO in the second round. During the fight against Yamamoto, Nozimov tore a knee ligament and underwent surgery, resulting in a long absence of about one year and two months.
Nozimov faced Suguru Nii at Rizin Landmark 11 on 14 June 2025. He won the bout by knockout in the first round with a kick to the jaw.
Rizin Lightweight Champion Nozimov faced Roberto de Souza for the Rizin lightweight title at Rizin: Shiwasu no Cho Tsuwamono Matsuri on 31 December 2025, replacing Shunta Nomura. He won the bout by KO in the first round to win the title.
Nozimov faced Luiz Gustavo on 10 May 2026, at Rizin 53. He lost the title by knockout in the first round.
Personal life During the pre-fight press conference for Rizin: The December Super Strongman Festival, held in December 2025, Nozimov revealed that his absolute favorite food is tuna-mayonnaise onigiri, stating that he has eaten 20 to 30 of them a day. He continued to eat tuna-mayonnaise onigiri even while sightseeing in Tokyo after the match.
Championships and accomplishments Rizin Fighting Federation Rizin Lightweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Loss |align=center| 13–4 |Luiz Gustavo | KO (punches) |Rizin 53 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:08 |Kobe, Japan
| Win |align=center| 13–3 | Roberto de Souza | KO (knee) | Rizin: Shiwasu no Cho Tsuwamono Matsuri | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:13 |Saitama, Japan
| Win |align=center| 12–3 | Suguru Nii | KO (front kick) | Rizin Landmark 11
|align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:09 |Sapporo, Japan
| Win |align=center| 11–3 | Sora Yamamoto | TKO (elbows and punches) | Rizin 46
|align=center| 2 |align=center| 3:39 |Tokyo, Japan
| Win |align=center| 10–3 | Jaures Dea | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin Landmark 7
|align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Baku, Azerbaijan
| Loss |align=center| 9–3 | Rustem Kudaibergenov | KO (punch) | UAE Warriors 39
|align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:08 |Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| Win |align=center| 9–2 | Khazar Rustamov | Submission (guillotine choke) | UAE Warriors 34
|align=center| 1 |align=center| 4:30 |Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| Win |align=center| 8–2 | Sergey Klyuev | TKO (retirement) | Eagle FC 34
|align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 |Krasnodar, Russia
| Win |align=center| 7–2 | Viktor Mitkov | Decision (unanimous) | Tyumen Extreme Sports Expo 2019
|align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Tyumen, Russia
| Win |align=center| 6–2 | Sevak Arekalyan | Decision (unanimous) | WCSA Combat Ring 29
|align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Magnitogorsk, Russia
| Win |align=center| 5–2 | Vadim Savin | TKO (punches) | I.M. Poddubnogo Sports Club: Confrontation 3
|align=center| 1 |align=center| 4:06 |Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| Win |align=center| 4–2 | Dmitry Shulgin | Submission (choke) | WCSA Combat Ring 25
|align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:07 |Ufa, Russia
| Win |align=center| 3–2 | Kayratbek Imarov | Submission (guillotine choke) | N1 Championship of Contact Unions 2
|align=center| 1 |align=center| 3:46 |Shadrinsk, Russia
| Loss |align=center| 2–2 | Yuriy Virchakov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Modern Fighting Pankration 215
|align=center| 1 |align=center| 3:47 |Ufa, Russia
| Win |align=center| 2–1 | Ali Rayimzhonov | TKO (punches) | WCSA Combat Ring 23
|align=center| 1 |align=center| N/A |Ufa, Russia
| Win |align=center| 1–1 | Vyacheslav Dimov | TKO (punches) | U-Fight: Mixshow Dynamite
|align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:37 |Magnitogorsk, Russia
| Loss |align=center| 0–1 | Ruslan Khisamutdinov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | WCSA Combat Ring 13
|align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:30 |Magnitogorsk, Russia |
See also List of current Rizin Fighting Federation fighters List of male mixed martial artists
References
External links