Askarov was born deaf, and though his hearing has improved, he can only hear approximately 20% of the sounds most people can, meaning he cannot hear instructions from his team during a fight.[5] Askarov has represented Russia as part of the national deaf wrestling team, including at the Summer Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey in 2017, where he won a gold medal.[6]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Askarov made his professional MMA debut in Russia in July 2013, against a fellow debutante in Shamil Amirov. He won the fight by a rear naked choke in the second round. In his second fight, he fought another debuting fighter, Kvanzhakov Kantemir, and won by a first round TKO. Askarov extended his winning streak to four, with stoppage wins against Elvin Abbasov and Vakha Kadyrov.[7]
Absolute Championship Berkut
Following these two victories, Askarov signed with the Russian based promotion Absolute Championship Berkut. In his first fight with ACB, Askarov defeated Vyacheslav Gagiev by a second round TKO.[8] During ACB 22, Askarov fought[9] and submitted the undefeated Kirill Medvedovski.[10] He was then scheduled to fight Marcin Lasota during ACB 29.[11] Askarov won the fight by a second round TKO.[12] In his fourth with the organization, Askarov was scheduled to fight Ruslan Abiltarov during ACB 38.[13] He won the fight by rear naked choke, and was awarded a $5,000 bonus for the submission of the night.
These victories earned Askar the chance to fight José Maria Tomé for the vacant ACB Flyweight Championship.[14] He beat José Maria Tomé by submission in the fifth round to become the first ACB flyweight champion.[15] Askarov additionally earned a $5,000 bonus for the "Fight of the Night".[16]
Askarov was scheduled to have his first title defense during ACB 58, when he was fought Anthony Leone.[17] Askarov won the fight mid-way through the third round, by a body triangle neck crank.[18]
Askarov was scheduled to defend his title for the second time against Rasul Albaskhanov, during ACB 86.[19] He defeated Albaskhanov by a second round guillotine choke.[20]
Following his signature with the UFC, Askarov vacated the ACB Flyweight title.[21]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Askarov made his UFC debut against Brandon Moreno on the main card of UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Stephens. Though Moreno was competing in front of his home fans in Mexico, they fought to a split draw after three rounds.[22] 12 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout for Moreno.[23]
For his second fight in the Octagon, Askarov was booked to face former UFC flyweight title challenger Tim Elliott at on January 18, 2020, at UFC 246.[24] Askarov won the bout via unanimous decision.[25]
Askarov faced Joseph Benavidez on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259.[28] At the weigh-ins, Askar weighed in at 127 pounds, one pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at a catchweight and he was fined 20 percent of his individual purse, which went to Benavidez.[29] Askarov won the fight via unanimous decision.[30]
Askarov was scheduled to face Alex Perez on July 31, 2021, on UFC on ESPN 28.[31] However, Askarov pulled out of the fight in early July citing injury. In turn, Perez was removed from the card entirely and rescheduled to face Matt Schnell four weeks later on August 28, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192.[32]
Askarov faced Kai Kara-France on March 26, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 33.[33] He lost the first bout of his professional career via unanimous decision.[34]
The bout between Askarov and Perez was rescheduled and they were expected to meet on July 16, 2022, at UFC on ABC 3.[35] Askarov pulled out once again in early June due to undisclosed reasons and Perez was rescheduled against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 277.[36]
Askarov was scheduled to face Brandon Royval on October 15, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 212.[37] However the bout was cancelled the day before the event due to weight management issues.[38]
At the end of October, Askarov requested and was granted a release to deal with his health issues.[39]
