Remember their names! Here are the top 7 Kazakh fighters who made significant strides in 2024.

As 2024 draws to a close, it's the perfect moment to reflect on the impressive bouts of Kazakh fighters and highlight those who have made significant progress over the past 12 months. In this list, we will discuss the achievements of seven Kazakh fighters selected by a correspondent from Vesti.kz.

We focused on those who have accumulated multiple noteworthy victories this year. Fighter (19-0) had just one appearance—a win against (15-1). Had it been a title fight, he would certainly have found a spot here, but a decision victory over a lower-ranked opponent hardly indicates any substantial progress. Therefore, we won't be including Shavkat. So, who made the list?

Shavkat Rakhmonov Ian Gary

7. Karshyga Dauitbek (16-3)

Record in 2024: 3-0 (3 KOs) Achievements: Secured three impressive knockout victories in Japanese leagues and (all in the first round) Note: On December 31, he will fight again in the RIZIN league. Read more about him and Dauitbek's overall progress in our article:

Top Brights RIZIN The Kazakh knockout artist is annihilating everyone, but now he’s up against a top striker. What awaits us? Post by Karshyga Dauitbek (@d.karshiga)

6. Sanzhar Adilov (13-2-1)

Record in 2024: 2-0 (1 KO) Achievements: Successfully defended his title twice, which he won at the end of last year.

Alash Pride FC Post by Sanzhar Adilov (@sanzhar_adilov1)

5. Fanil Rafikov (24-6)

Record in 2024: 2-0 (1 SUB) Achievements: Achieved victories over two high-profile opponents—former champion and Pop-MMA star. Claimed a joint title with Fight Nights and .

Fight Nights Nariman Abbasov Mohammad Heybati NAIZA

You can watch an exclusive interview with Fanil on our YouTube channel via the link below:

Fanil Rafikov | Plans in the USA | Challenge to Khamitov and Ismagulov | Confrontations with Haters Post by Fanil Nogay Rafikov (@fanil_mma)

4. Salamat Isbulaev (7-0)

Record in 2024: 4-0 (3 KOs, 1 SUB) Achievements: Four early victories, never going to the third round. Knocked out the previously undefeated in a fight for the Alash Pride FC title and then confidently defended his title.

Moslim Nurmagomedov

Salamat has a fight scheduled in the Chinese league in January. In the meantime, you can read about Isbulaev's progress and his aspirations to join the UFC in our article:

JCK The Kazakh crushes opponents and aims for the UFC! He knocked out Nurmagomedov and has never lost Post by Isbulaev Salamat (@_isbulaevsalamat) 3. Bagdat Jubanysh (6-1)

Record in 2024: 3-0 (2 KOs) Achievements: Secured three confident victories in the NAIZA league. Claimed the championship title in the minimum weight category and then successfully defended it.

Post by Bagdat Jubanysh (@bagdatzhubanysh)

2. Diyar Nurgozhai (10-0)

Record in 2024: 2-0 (2 KOs) Achievements: Knocked out former Grand Prix champion in the first round at the tournament. Finished an opponent from Poland in the second round in a battle for a contract with at . Became the first fighter from Kazakhstan to receive a UFC contract after winning on Dana White's Contender Series.

UAE Warriors PFL Emiliano Sordi UFC DWCS

You can check out an exclusive interview with Diyar on our YouTube channel, which he gave after signing the contract with the UFC:

Diyar Nurgozhai | Dana White's Shock | UFC Debut | Fight with Pereira Post by 𝓝𝓾𝓻𝓰𝓸𝔃𝓱𝓪𝔂 𝓓𝓲𝔂𝓪𝓻 (@nurgozhay_diyar)

1. Asu Almaev (21-2)

Record in 2024: 3-0 Achievements: Secured three victories in the UFC this year, winning unanimously by judges' decision three times. Won eight out of nine rounds fought. Initially entered the top-15 rankings of the UFC flyweight division, and then into the top-10.

Asu has been nominated for the title of Best Athlete of the Year by . You can vote for him via the link below:

Vesti.kz Who is the best athlete of 2024 in Kazakhstan? Post by Asu Almaev (@asu_zulfikar57)