# Avazbek Kholmirzaev
**Avazbek Kholmirzaev** (nickname "Ninzya"; born 2000) is an Uzbekistani mixed martial artist who competes in the flyweight and bantamweight divisions of [ONE Championship](https://www.edgepedia.org/one-championship) and holds the ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship. He won the title on April 29, 2026, knocking out reigning champion [Yuya Wakamatsu](https://www.edgepedia.org/yuya-wakamatsu) with a spinning back elbow at 4:53 of the second round at ONE SAMURAI 1 in Tokyo, becoming the first Uzbekistani world champion in the organization.[1](https://www.onefc.com/news/avazbek-kholmirzaev-earns-flyweight-mma-gold-with-elbow-knockout-of-yuya-wakamatsu-at-one-samurai-1/) His professional record stands at 16 wins and 2 losses, with 15 of the 16 wins coming by stoppage.[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 2000, Uzbekistan[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev) |
| Professional record | 16-2-0; 9 wins by KO/TKO, 6 by submission, 1 by decision[3](https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Avazbek-Kholmirzaev-417058) |
| Title | ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship, won April 29, 2026 at ONE SAMURAI 1, Ariake Arena, Tokyo[1](https://www.onefc.com/news/avazbek-kholmirzaev-earns-flyweight-mma-gold-with-elbow-knockout-of-yuya-wakamatsu-at-one-samurai-1/) |
| Title win | Spinning back elbow knockout of Yuya Wakamatsu, 4:53 of round 2; first Uzbekistani world champion in ONE[1](https://www.onefc.com/news/avazbek-kholmirzaev-earns-flyweight-mma-gold-with-elbow-knockout-of-yuya-wakamatsu-at-one-samurai-1/) |
| Professional debut | April 12, 2022[4](https://www.fightmatrix.com/fighter-profile/Avazbek%20Kholmirzaev/270718/) |
| Association | Phuket Chalong MMA[4](https://www.fightmatrix.com/fighter-profile/Avazbek%20Kholmirzaev/270718/) |
| Height | 5'9" (175 cm)[3](https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Avazbek-Kholmirzaev-417058) |
## Career beginnings
Kholmirzaev turned professional on April 12, 2022, winning his debut against Begzod Atazhonov at an event of the Uzbekistan MMA Association when Atazhonov could not continue after a hand injury in the second round.[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev) He then fought under the Alash Pride FC (APFC) banner from 2022 to 2023, compiling a 4-1 record in that promotion, including a technical knockout of Talant Esdaulet by kick 23 seconds into the second round in October 2023.[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev)
## ONE Championship
Kholmirzaev joined ONE Championship in 2024 and established himself on the promotion's ONE Friday Fights series in Bangkok. His first two appearances brought quick first-round submissions: a guillotine choke of Leandro Gomes at ONE Friday Fights 50 on February 2, 2024, and an armbar of Changy Kara-Ool at ONE Friday Fights 69 on July 5, 2024.[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev)
His first professional setback inside ONE came on September 20, 2024, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Bektur Zhenishbek Uulu at ONE Friday Fights 80.[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev) He answered with a run of finishes: a spinning back kick that floored Zayundin Suleymanov, followed by ground strikes 16 seconds into the third round at ONE Friday Fights 59 in April 2024;[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev) • [3](https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Avazbek-Kholmirzaev-417058) a technical knockout of Robson de Oliveira by punches;[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev) a unanimous decision over the Japanese veteran Tatsumitsu Wada at ONE Friday Fights 116 on July 18, 2025;[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev) a first-round armbar of Willie van Rooyen at ONE Fight Night 37 on November 7, 2025;[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev) and a second-round technical knockout of Jeremy Miado at ONE Fight Night 38 on December 5, 2025.[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev) By the time the title shot was announced, he had won nine consecutive bouts in the promotion.[5](https://www.onefc.com/features/5-things-to-know-about-avazbek-kholmirzaev-before-his-world-title-clash-with-yuya-wakamatsu-at-one-samurai-1/)
## World champion
**ONE SAMURAI 1.** On April 29, 2026, Kholmirzaev challenged flyweight champion Yuya "Little Piranha" Wakamatsu at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. The first round was contested at a pace both men later described as draining, with Kholmirzaev using judo throws and top control while Wakamatsu landed grounded knees and counter punches.[1](https://www.onefc.com/news/avazbek-kholmirzaev-earns-flyweight-mma-gold-with-elbow-knockout-of-yuya-wakamatsu-at-one-samurai-1/) In a close-range exchange in the second round, Kholmirzaev answered an elbow with a spinning back elbow that landed flush, and the referee stopped the fight at 4:53.[1](https://www.onefc.com/news/avazbek-kholmirzaev-earns-flyweight-mma-gold-with-elbow-knockout-of-yuya-wakamatsu-at-one-samurai-1/)
The victory made Kholmirzaev the first Uzbekistani world champion in ONE Championship history, his tenth promotional win, and his fifteenth career stoppage, and it earned him a performance bonus of 7.5 million [Japanese yen](https://www.edgepedia.org/japanese-yen), roughly US$50,000.[1](https://www.onefc.com/news/avazbek-kholmirzaev-earns-flyweight-mma-gold-with-elbow-knockout-of-yuya-wakamatsu-at-one-samurai-1/) After the fight he said, "I am proud to be the one to bring this belt to Uzbekistan for the first time. I've made history for my people."[6](https://www.onefc.com/news/made-history-for-my-people-avazbek-kholmirzaev-details-his-crowning-moment-at-one-samurai-1/)
## Fighting style and recognition
Kholmirzaev finishes fights in both phases of the sport. Of his 16 professional wins, 9 have come by knockout or technical knockout and 6 by submission, with only one reaching the judges' scorecards; neither of his two losses came by stoppage.[3](https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Avazbek-Kholmirzaev-417058) ONE Championship's pre-fight analysis described him as blending dynamic striking with submission grappling, using heavy top pressure and hunting for chokes and limb attacks during scrambles.[7](https://www.onefc.com/features/3-of-avazbek-kholmirzaevs-most-dangerous-weapons-against-yuya-wakamatsu-at-one-samurai-1/)
Database rankings reflect his rise. As of May 2026, Tapology placed him fifth pound-for-pound in the Asia Pacific region, second among Asia Pacific bantamweights, and first pound-for-pound in its Asia Southeast sub-region.[2](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev) FightMatrix's October 2026 release ranked him 35th among bantamweights worldwide and credited him with a 93.8 percent win-finish rate.[4](https://www.fightmatrix.com/fighter-profile/Avazbek%20Kholmirzaev/270718/)
## References
1. [Avazbek Kholmirzaev Earns Flyweight MMA Gold With Elbow Knockout of Yuya Wakamatsu At ONE SAMURAI 1, ONE Championship](https://www.onefc.com/news/avazbek-kholmirzaev-earns-flyweight-mma-gold-with-elbow-knockout-of-yuya-wakamatsu-at-one-samurai-1/)
2. [Avazbek Kholmirzaev ("Ninzya") | MMA Fighter Page, Tapology](https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/364160-avazbek-kholmurzoev)
3. [Avazbek "Ninzya" Kholmirzaev MMA Stats, Sherdog](https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Avazbek-Kholmirzaev-417058)
4. [Avazbek Kholmirzaev - MMA Fighter Profile, Record, Ranking, FightMatrix](https://www.fightmatrix.com/fighter-profile/Avazbek%20Kholmirzaev/270718/)
5. [5 Things To Know About Avazbek Kholmirzaev Before His World Title Clash With Yuya Wakamatsu At ONE SAMURAI 1, ONE Championship](https://www.onefc.com/features/5-things-to-know-about-avazbek-kholmirzaev-before-his-world-title-clash-with-yuya-wakamatsu-at-one-samurai-1/)
6. ['Made History For My People' - Avazbek Kholmirzaev Details His Crowning Moment At ONE SAMURAI 1, ONE Championship](https://www.onefc.com/news/made-history-for-my-people-avazbek-kholmirzaev-details-his-crowning-moment-at-one-samurai-1/)
7. [3 Of Avazbek Kholmirzaev's Most Dangerous Weapons Against Yuya Wakamatsu At ONE SAMURAI 1, ONE Championship](https://www.onefc.com/features/3-of-avazbek-kholmirzaevs-most-dangerous-weapons-against-yuya-wakamatsu-at-one-samurai-1/)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Individual sports and outdoor recreation › Combat sports and professional wrestling › Mixed martial arts › Flyweight and strawweight fighters*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license