Tofiq Musayev
BornTofiq Musayev
(1989-12-15) December 15, 1989
Sahil, Azerbaijan
Native nameТофик Мусаев[1]
NationalityAzerbaijani
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionLightweight, Welterweight
Reach72 in (183 cm)
Fighting out ofBaku, Azerbaijan
TeamOrion Fight Club
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total27
Wins22
By knockout18
By submission2
By decision2
Losses5
By knockout1
By submission3
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Tofiq Musayev (born December 15, 1989) is an Azerbaijani professional mixed martial artist, competing in the Lightweight division of Bellator MMA. As of December 8, 2023, he is #2 in the Bellator Lightweight Rankings.[2]

Early life

Tofiq Musayev was born in Sahil, Azerbaijan. Even at school, due to the minimum number of sports sections, he went to karate and later with pankration, kung-fu and taekwondo.[3] Initially having success at the regional level, Musaev decided to devote himself completely to sanda, therefore, after graduating from school in 2007, he entered the sports academy. He became Asian Pankration champion in 2016 and world champion in Kung-fu, while studying at the Azeribaijan Sports Academy from 2007 to 2011. He is blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[4][5][6][7][8]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Since MMA was something new in Azerbaijan, and there were no well-trained fighters for sparring and training, Tofiq experienced certain difficulties getting used to the new format fights. Made his professional debut at the Azerbaijan MMA Federation in May 2013. When he was suddenly selected for the main event in that match, he achieved a vivid heel hold in 1R and won his debut match. His main problem was the defense on the ground, because in the first 6 fights, he filled himself with a 3–3 record, losing by submission in two cases out of three. Starting with the Ukrainian Oplot Challenge events, the athlete began to travel to Russia and perform there.[1]

Also, he did not forget about the Motherland, where little by little, MMA tournaments began to gain popularity among the audience and his talent blossomed when he refined his fighting style, which is based on his strong punches . In 2016, Musaev made his first trip to China, where he had a couple of performances before being spotted at the WFCA. And, it is worth recognizing, with the arrival of a newcomer to the organization, the light weight had found a new potential contender.[9]

Things were going well for Tofiq in Russia, in his debut he defeated Murad Shakhbaev, after which he went to Turkey for one fight, where he performed at the big Orion Fight Arena tournament, but then returned to the WFCA, as he planned to take the belt there. The next step for him was the meeting with Zurab Betergaraev, but the application for the status of the applicant was made in the confrontation with Marif Piraev.[1]

Having sent him to a technical knockout already in the first round, Musaev waited for proposals from the promotion, but they never came. Not wanting to wait for the leadership's decision on the fight with the champion, the Azerbaijani responded to the call of another league, very famous in Japan - RIZIN Fighting Federation to sign him for their New Year's Eve event for 2018.[1]

RIZIN Fighting Federation

Musayev made his RIZIN debut at Rizin 14 against Nobumitsu Osawa as the opening bout of the night. He won by TKO in the 2nd round, using ground and pound to finish the bout.[10]

He was scheduled to face 13-fight UFC veteran and TUF: Live Team Faber contestant Daron Cruickshank at Rizin 16. He won by unanimous decision.[11]

Lightweight Grand Prix

RIZIN announced that they would be hosting a Lightweight Grand Prix from September.[12] Tofiq was 1 of 8 participants announced. On September 20, 2019, Tofiq was drawn against former XFC & Brace Lightweight champion and 6-fight UFC veteran Damien Brown at Rizin 19 as the quarterfinal match.[13] He won by TKO in the final minute of the first round, using a head kick and punches to score the stoppage.[14]

At RIZIN.20, Musayev took on former MCC Lightweight champion and 6-fight UFC veteran Johnny Case in the semi-finals. Musayev dropped Case early in the 1st round and followed up with strikes to force referee to intervene.[15] In the finals, he met Bellator Lightweight title challenger Patricky Freire. An exciting back-and-forth battle ended in a unanimous decision victory for the underdog Musaev (despite breaking his hand in the second round),[16] and the Lightweight Grand Prix belt.[17] His performance earned him widespread attention from his home country[18] as the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Ismail Ismayilov to congratulate him, as well as the global MMA audience as he was considered one of the best lightweights outside of the UFC (Fight Matrix ranked him #13 globally and the best outside the UFC).[19][20][21]

After his Grand Prix triumph, Musayev was approached by the UFC, but declined an offer as he waited for RIZIN to make a proposal. "We were approached from the UFC, made a concrete proposal. But at the moment we are waiting for a response from Rizin. If we are satisfied with their proposal, then we will remain in this organization and will defend the title. Otherwise, I go to the UFC."[22] Musayev confirmed in March 2020 that he will sign a new contract with RIZIN, despite offers from both the UFC and ONE. He stated "[RIZIN] respect[s] their fighters and try to give them everything so that they stay with them."[23]

In September 2020, Musayev was called to join the army in light of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. He is a reserve lieutenant of the Ground Forces of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces, taking an active part in the front line from the first days of the war.[24][25] The conflict ended in November after roughly 1 month of conflict and an Azerbaijani victory.

As the COVID-19 pandemic ensued and borders were shut, Musayev could not participate in RIZIN for the whole of 2020, and the first half of 2021. Fellow RIZIN lightweight, Roberto de Souza stated ahead of RIZIN.27 that the promotion should crown a new champion if Musayev cannot return.[26]

On June 1, 2021, it was announced that Tofiq will face Roberto de Souza on June 13, 2021, at Rizin 28 for the inaugural Rizin FF Lightweight Championship.[27] after a 14-day quarantine period from entry due to measures against the spread of the new coronavirus infection,[28] he faced Roberto de Souza and suffered a first round loss due to a triangle choke.[29]

Bellator MMA

On January 10, 2022, it was announced that Musayev signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.[30]

Musayev was scheduled to make his Bellator debut on April 22, 2022, at Bellator 278 against Zach Zane.[31] However, the bout was scrapped after Zane pulled out due to unknown reasons and Tofiq wasn't rebooked against a new opponent.[32]

Musayev was scheduled to face Adam Piccolotti on July 22, 2022, at Bellator 283.[33] Piccolotti however pulled out of the bout due to injury.[34] Musayev was instead rebooked against Sidney Outlaw, after his opponent pulled out of their bout, and won the match via knockout 27 seconds into the first round.[35]

Lightweight Grand Prix

On January 11, 2023, Musayev was announced as one of the 8 participants in the $1 million Lightweight Grand Prix, with his quarterfinal bout against Alexandr Shabliy taking place on March 10, 2023, at Bellator 292.[36] Musayev lost the bout in the third round, with a body kick rendering him unable to continue.[37]

Musayev returned to face Akira Okada at the co-promotion event Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 on July 30, 2023.[38] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[39]

Tofiq faced Koji Takeda on November 4, 2023 at Rizin Landmark 7.[40] He won the bout via ground and pound knockout in the third round.[41]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
27 matches 22 wins 5 losses
By knockout 18 1
By submission 2 3
By decision 2 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 22–5 Koji Takeda KO (punches) Rizin Landmark 7 November 4, 2023 3 2:03 Baku, Azerbaijan
Win 21–5 Akira Okada KO (punches) Super Rizin 2 July 30, 2023 2 1:11 Saitama, Japan
Loss 20–5 Alexandr Shabliy TKO (body kick) Bellator 292 March 10, 2023 3 0:29 San Jose, California, United States Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 20–4 Sidney Outlaw KO (punches) Bellator 283 July 22, 2022 1 0:27 Tacoma, Washington, United States
Loss 19–4 Roberto de Souza Submission (triangle choke) Rizin 28 June 13, 2021 1 1:12 Tokyo, Japan For the inaugural Rizin Lightweight Championship.
Win 19–3 Patricky Pitbull Decision (unanimous) Rizin 20 December 31, 2019 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan Won the Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix Tournament.
Win 18–3 Johnny Case TKO (punches) 1 2:47 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win 17–3 Damien Brown TKO (head kick and punches) Rizin 19 October 12, 2019 1 4:14 Osaka, Japan Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 16–3 Daron Cruickshank Decision (unanimous) Rizin 16 June 2, 2019 3 5:00 Kobe, Japan
Win 15–3 Nobumitsu Osawa TKO (punches) Rizin 14 December 31, 2018 2 1:19 Saitama, Japan
Win 14–3 Marif Piraev TKO (punches) WFCA 48: Zhamaldaev vs. Khasbulaev 2 May 4, 2018 1 3:24 Baku, Azerbaijan
Win 13–3 Zurab Betergaraev TKO (injury) WFCA 45: Grozny Battle February 24, 2018 2 1:23 Grozny, Russia
Win 12–3 Murat Kocaturk TKO (punches) Orion Fight Arena: Spectacular Kickboxing MMA Gala October 21, 2017 2 2:50 Ankara, Turkey
Win 11–3 Murad Shakhbanov TKO (punches) WFCA 34: Battle in Moscow February 25, 2017 3 2:16 Moscow, Russia Return to Lightweight.
Win 10–3 Ayub Fahimi KO (punches) Azerbaijan MMA Federation: Azerbaijan vs. Iran December 31, 2016 1 3:56 Baku, Azerbaijan
Win 9–3 Ooi Aik Tong TKO (punches) Chinese Wushu Fight League June 5, 2016 1 1:35 Guangzhou, China
Win 8–3 Jiang Tao TKO (punches) 1 3:52
Win 7–3 Yincang Bao TKO (punches) International Kungfu Championship: Matan Tesco Cup November 27, 2015 1 3:55 Jiangsu, China
Win 6–3 Shamil Magomedzagidov KO (punch) Azerbaijan MMA Federation: National Open Cup October 2, 2015 1 3:42 Baku, Azerbaijan
Win 5–3 Magomed Alkuliev KO (punch) Selection Of Warriors 3 September 18, 2015 1 2:53 Makhachkala, Russia
Loss 4–3 Aigun Akhmedov Decision (unanimous) New Stream: Russia vs. The World October 31, 2014 2 5:00 Moscow, Russia
Win 4–2 Said Khalilov TKO (punches) MMA Star In The Ring 2 June 13, 2014 1 3:33 Makhachkala, Russia
Loss 3–2 Evgeny Lakhin Submission (triangle choke) Siberian League: Combat Kuzbass 1 April 21, 2014 1 1:12 Kemerovo, Russia Lightweight bout.
Win 3–1 Musulman Muslimov TKO (punches) MMA Star in the Ring 1 May 1, 2014 1 N/A Makhachkala, Russia
Loss 2–1 Mukhamed Berkhamov Submission (anaconda choke) Oplot Challenge 90 November 30, 2013 1 4:09 Kharkov, Ukraine
Win 2–0 Emilbek Beknazarov Submission (rear-naked choke) Oplot Challenge 80 September 22, 2013 1 3:26 Kharkov, Ukraine
Win 1–0 Yavuz Selim Kazanci Submission (heel hook) Azerbaijan MMA Federation: Azerbaijan vs. Turkey May 29, 2013 1 2:33 Baku, Azerbaijan Welterweight debut.

[42]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Тофик Мусаев (Tofiq Musayev) – биография и лучшие бои азербайджанца, статистика - MMAExpress". mma.express. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  2. ↑ "Bellator Rankings". www.bellator.com. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  3. ↑ Петров, Андрей. "Главная победа Тофика Мусаева". vestikavkaza.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  4. ↑ 『Cygames presents RIZIN.14』『Cygames presents RIZIN 平成最後のやれんのか！』直前インタビュー【トフィック・ムサエフ選手】 YouTube 2018年12月29日
  5. ↑ https://mmaboxing.ru/fighters/mma/tofiq-musayev-113849.html%5B%5D
  6. ↑ "Arxivlənmiş surət". Archived from the original on 2020-01-03. Retrieved 2020-01-03.
  7. ↑ "Tofiq Musayev: UFC-də adi döyüşçü olmaq istəmirəm. Mən həmişə güclülər arasında birinci olmaq istəmişəm".
  8. ↑ "Tofiq Musayev: UFC-də adi döyüşçü olmaq istəmirəm. Mən həmişə güclülər arasında birinci olmaq istəmişəm". 1news.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  9. ↑ "トフィック・ムサエフ - RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION オフィシャルサイト". jp.rizinff.com. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  10. ↑ "Nobumitsu Osawa vs. Tofiq Musayev". Tapology. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  11. ↑ "Daron Cruickshank vs. Tofiq Musayev". Tapology. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  12. ↑ "RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION ANNOUNCES LIGHTWEIGHT GRAND PRIX PARTICIPANTS". Sherdog. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  13. ↑ "Lightweight Grand Prix opening round matchups announced for RIZIN 19". The Body Lock. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  14. ↑ "Tofiq Musayev vs. Damien Brown". Tapology. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  15. ↑ "Johnny Case vs. Tofiq Musayev". Tapology. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  16. ↑ "Grand prix winner Tofiq Musayev says he broke his hand during final at Rizin FF 20". MMA Junkie. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  17. ↑ "Tofiq Musayev vs. Patricky Pitbull". Tapology. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  18. ↑ "Video: RIZIN champ mobbed by fans in chaotic scene upon return to Azerbaijan". MMA Mania. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  19. ↑ "Historical MMA Rankings". Fight Matrix. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  20. ↑ "The 10 Best Fighters Outside the UFC". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  21. ↑ "10 lightweights to watch in MMA in 2021". BJ Penn. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  22. ↑ "Tofiq Musayev discusses Rizin lightweight Grand Prix win, UFC offer". Asian MMA. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  23. ↑ "Tofiq Musayev to sign new contract with Rizin". Asian MMA. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  24. ↑ "RIZIN champ Tofiq Musayev and ex-ACA titlist Eduard Vartanyan on opposite ends of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict". The Body Lock. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  25. ↑ "Son dakika: Azerbaycan'da karma dövüş sporcusu Tofiq Musayev orduya katıldı". Fotomaç. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  26. ↑ "Roberto Satoshi calls for RIZIN interim belt if Tofiq Musayev doesn't return from war soon". MMA Fighting. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  27. ↑ "Tofiq Musaev faces Roberto de Souza in lightweight title fight at Rizin 28 | Asian MMA". AsianMMA. 2021-06-01. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  28. ↑ 榊原信行Twitter NOBUYUKI SAKAKIBARA 2021年6月10日
  29. ↑ 【RIZIN】朝倉未来が失神一本負け！ クレベルが三角絞め極める。那須川vs.3人、ライト級王座戦サトシがムサエフを極めて王者に！ バンタム級GP朝倉海、井上直樹らが勝利 ゴング格闘技 2021年6月13日
  30. ↑ "Bellator signs former Rizin FF grand prix winner Tofiq Musayev". MMA Junkie. 2022-01-10. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  31. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2022-04-08). "Ex-RIZIN Lightweight Champ Tofiq Musayev Faces Zach Zane at Bellator 278". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  32. ↑ Newswire, MMA Fighting (2022-04-19). "Tofiq Musayev loses opponent for Bellator 278 debut, out of Hawaii card". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  33. ↑ "Bellator 283 lineup set with Patricky 'Pitbull' vs. Sidney Outlaw, Usman Nurmagomedov, and more". MMA Junkie. 2022-06-14. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  34. ↑ King, Nolan (2022-07-05). "Ex-RIZIN champ Tofiq Musayev replaces Patricky Freire, as Bellator 283 elevates Douglas Lima vs. Jason Jackson". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  35. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2022-07-22). "Bellator 283: Tofiq Musayev Obliterates Outlaw's Title Hopes". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  36. ↑ "Bellator announces 8 participants for lightweight grand prix; tournament starts March 10 in San Jose". MMA Junkie. 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  37. ↑ Rush, Dylan (2023-03-10). "Bellator 292: Odd Ending to Lightweight GP Quarterfinal Sees Alexander Shabliy Stop Tofiq Musayev". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  38. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2023-05-27). "Kai Asakura vs. Juan Archuleta, Mikuru Asakura vs. Vugar Karamov Announced for Bellator X RIZIN 2". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  39. ↑ "【超RIZIN】ケラモフが朝倉未来に一本勝ちでフェザー級王者に！ アーチュレッタがバンタム級王者に、伊澤星花が一本勝ち防衛、緊急参戦の鈴木千裕がパトリシオをKO、ムサエフがア..." ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  40. ↑ "Rizin Landmark 7 – walka mistrzowska uświetni premierową galę Rizin w Azerbejdżanie!". myMMA.pl - MMA News, UFC, KSW, GROMDA (in Polish). 2023-09-14. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  41. ↑ "武田光司、敵地でムサエフにＴＫＯ負け ＲＩＺＩＮ３連敗". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  42. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Tofiq Musayev MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
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