Shamil Abdurakhimov, known in the octagon as “Abrek,” carved out a formidable legacy in the heavyweight division through his technical striking and Dagestani wrestling roots.
While he recently stepped away from professional competition, his financial achievements and career longevity remain a topic of interest for MMA fans.
In this article, you will know Shamil Abdurakhimov’s Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship status, and more.
Shamil Abdurakhimov’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shamil Gentovich Abdurakhimov |
| Date of Birth | September 2, 1981 |
| Age | 44 Years Old |
| Nationality | Russian (Avar) |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 263 lb (119 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2008 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $500,000 – $1 Million |
| UFC Career Earnings | Approx. $400,000 (Disclosed) |
| Marital Status | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | @shamilabdurakhimov |
| Twitter Profile | @ShamilAbrek |
Early Career
Shamil Abdurakhimov grew up in the Kuyada village of the Gunibsky District in Dagestan, Russia, a region famous for producing elite combat athletes. He started his martial arts journey early in primary school, where he focused on Sanshou (Sanda) and freestyle wrestling.
Unlike many of his peers who focused solely on grappling, Shamil developed a dangerous striking game that earned him the title of Master of Sports in Wushu Sanda and International Master of Sports in Kickboxing.
His transition to mixed martial arts began officially in 2008, where he quickly made a name for himself in Russian regional promotions. His most significant early achievement came in the Abu Dhabi Fighting Championship (ADFC).
He entered the open-weight tournament and shocked the audience by defeating Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Jeff Monson.
In the final at ADFC Round 3, he defeated Marcos Oliveira via first-round TKO to win the title and a massive prize of one million dirhams (approx. $272,000), which instantly put him on the global radar.
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Professional Career
Abdurakhimov signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2015, bringing a record of 15-2 into the promotion. His debut at UFC Fight Night 63 proved difficult as he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Timothy Johnson.
However, he adapted quickly and secured victories over Anthony Hamilton and Walt Harris, showcasing his ability to manage distance and counter-strike effectively against larger heavyweights.
His tenure in the UFC saw him face the division’s absolute best. He secured a career-defining victory over former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in 2018 at UFC Fight Night 136, where he won by unanimous decision in Moscow.
He also delivered a highlight-reel knockout of Chase Sherman in Shanghai. Despite losses to top contenders like Curtis Blaydes, Derrick Lewis, and Chris Daukaus in the later stages of his career, Abdurakhimov remained a ranked heavyweight for years.
He concluded his UFC run in January 2023 after a loss to Jailton Almeida, leaving behind a legacy as a skilled and durable technician in the heavyweight division.
Shamil Abdurakhimov’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Shamil Abdurakhimov holds an estimated net worth between $500,000 and $1 million, largely accumulated through his decade-long career in top-tier MMA promotions. While his UFC purses provided consistent income, his single largest disclosed payday occurred early in his career when he won the ADFC Grand Prix, banking approximately $272,000 in a single night.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Event | Result | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Incentive/Sponsorship | Total Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jailton Almeida | UFC 283 | Loss | $40,000 | $0 | $11,000 | $51,000 |
| Sergei Pavlovich | UFC London | Loss | $40,000 | $0 | $6,000 | $46,000 |
| Chris Daukaus | UFC 266 | Loss | $40,000 | $0 | $6,000 | $46,000 |
| Curtis Blaydes | UFC 242 | Loss | $22,000 | $0 | $5,000 | $27,000 |
| Walt Harris | UFC Fight Night 96 | Win | $14,000 | $14,000 | N/A | $28,000 |
| Timothy Johnson | UFC Fight Night 63 | Loss | $12,000 | $0 | N/A | $12,000 |
| Marcos Oliveira | ADFC Round 3 | Win | Prize Money | – | – | ~$272,000 |
Career Earnings
| Year | Fights | Key Events | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | UFC 283 | $51,000 |
| 2022 | 1 | UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs Aspinall | $46,000 |
| 2021 | 1 | UFC 266 | $46,000 |
| 2019 | 2 | UFC 242, UFC St. Petersburg | ~$80,000 |
| 2018 | 1 | UFC Moscow (vs Arlovski) | ~$45,000 |
| 2011 | 1 | ADFC Grand Prix Final | ~$272,000 |
Career Stats
| Stat Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 28 |
| Wins | 20 |
| Losses | 8 |
| Knockout Wins | 9 |
| Submission Wins | 4 |
| First Round Finishes | 8 |
| Striking Accuracy | 44% |
| Grappling Accuracy | 24% |
| Average Fight Time | 09:37 |
| Strikes Landed/Min | 2.45 |
FAQs
1. What is Shamil Abdurakhimov’s martial arts background?
He holds an International Master of Sports rank in Kickboxing and a Master of Sports rank in Wushu Sanda. He won the Russian National Sanshou Championship five times before he transitioned to professional mixed martial arts.
2. When did Shamil Abdurakhimov retire from the UFC?
He fought his final bout for the promotion on January 21, 2023, at UFC 283. After suffering a TKO loss to Jailton Almeida, he parted ways with the organization, concluding an eight-year run in the heavyweight division.
3. What was the biggest purse of Shamil Abdurakhimov’s career?
His most lucrative single payday occurred outside the UFC in 2011. He won the Abu Dhabi Fighting Championship open-weight tournament, which carried a grand prize of one million dirhams, equivalent to approximately $272,000.
4. Does Shamil Abdurakhimov have a wife and children?
He keeps his family life completely private and has never disclosed information about a spouse or children. He strictly separates his professional fighting career from his personal life, following the customs of many Dagestani athletes.
5. Which notable fighters did Shamil Abdurakhimov defeat?
He holds impressive victories over former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski and veteran strikers like Walt Harris and Chase Sherman. Additionally, he defeated notable names like Jeff Monson and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou during his pre-UFC career.
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