Bazigit Atavovich Atajev (, ; born 3 December 1979) is a Russian mixed martial artist and sanshou kickboxer, who currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division. A professional since 2000, he has competed in RINGS and PRIDE Fighting Championships. He is known for a fierce spinning-heel kick and Sambo style grappling.

Early life

Bozigit was born in 1979 in the village of Lower Kazanyshy to a Kumyk family. He studied in the famous Dagestan sports-dedicated boarding school "Five Directions of the World".

Mixed martial arts career

Bozigit started his MMA career in 2000 knocking out Arunas Juskevicius at RINGS Lithuania: Bushido RINGS 1. The following year he won a 16 participant tournament "IAFC Pankration Russian Championship 2001". He got knocked out Roman Zentsov by a spinning wheel kick and Aaron Brink by a spinning back kick, and defeated Tsuyoshi Kohsaka by decision in the same year.

PRIDE Fighting Championships

Atajev debuted in PRIDE in December 2002 and suffered his only loss against Dutchman Alistair Overeem at PRIDE 24. Atajev planned to make his return to PRIDE at their final event PRIDE 34 against Gilbert Yvel. However, due to a stomach illness, the bout was cancelled.

Professional Fighters League

Atajev made his debut in North America on 21 June 2018 at PFL 2 against Dan Spohn in Light heavyweight tournaments. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the third round. In his second fight in the tournament, Atajev faced Sean O'Connell at PFL 7 on 30 August 2018. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. In the semifinals, Atajev faced Vinny Magalhaes, losing via first-round submission. In 2019, Atajev fought Dan Spohn in a rematch at PFL 3, winning in via first-round knockout. On 8 August at PFL 6, Atajev fought Emiliano Sordi, losing via first-round knockout. He faced Sordi again in the quarterfinals of the 2019 tournament, losing via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Wushu sanda

Bozigit Ataev is one of three five time Wushu Sanda world champions along with Muslim Salikhov and Mohsen Mohammadseifi. He won world championship in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2013 and earned silver medal in 2009

Kickboxing

Bozigit took part in "BARS: Heavyweight Cup Of Gold BARS 2003" kickboxing tournament. He defeated Denis Grigoriev in first round but loss to Eduard Voznovich in final. In 2008, he faced the eventual K-1 champion Remy Bonjasky in his kickboxing debut. He was defeated by knockout early in the third round.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Kickboxing record (incomplete)