Kazakhstan is an area that’s loaded with top MMA talent at the monent. Just not in the big promotions, but in the smaller promotions with top prospects trying to get to the UFC and Bellator/PFL. The UFC already has names like Azat Maksum, Asu Almabaev, Sergey Morozov, Mariya Agapova, and most notably Shavkat Rakhmonov. They should have much more than that and here we will give a spotlight to all the prospects from the area that have any kind of potential.
I will go over every promising prospect in alphabetic order along with a brief description.
Featherweight, Abylaykhan Kadirzhan (6-1):
Kadirzhan was somebody I was scouting years ago but he just doesn’t fight often. He fought last year but before that, he fought for M1 Challenge back when that was a thing. The good thing about it is that Kadirzhan is still only 26. Kadirzhan is well-rounded. He’s light on his feet and does a great job striking and getting back out of the pocket. Somebody you don’t want to dictate the pace because he will light you up. He’s even more of a threat when he gets it down as he has four submission wins. If Kadirzhan can just stay active a bigger promotion would be pounding the table to get him.
Flyweight, Aibek Bekbolatov (4-0):
Bekbolatov is a long 125er that knows how to use his range. He’s a really talented striker who stays on the outside and uses his kickboxing. He can chop away at the lead leg and will mix it up and he’s pretty diverse in his offense as well. His jiu-jitsu also shines, even if it’s off his back. Bekbolatov is very active always moving and looking to improve position. He has a lot of qualities at flyweight and looks like someone that could make an impact in the future.
Flyweight, Aktore Batyrbek (6-2):
Batyrbek is an excellent submission grappler with all but one win coming by submission. He’s really good at attacking off his back with the armbar and mainly the triangle. Along with the submission base, he is a quality wrestler. He’s looked good but he needs a key win. Both his losses are to good fighters. One of those is UFC fighter and fellow Kazakhstan native Azat Maksum. Batyrbek has the strength and jiu-jitsu to be a big threat but does need to prove himself.
