Sultan Aliev’s journey in combat sports began relatively late compared to many of his peers.
Born in Kaspiysk, Dagestan, in the former Soviet Union, Aliev didn’t start his combat sports career until he was 23 years old.
In this article, you will learn about Sultan Aliev’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Sultan Aliev’s Biography
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sultan Magomedbegovich Aliev |
| Date of Birth | September 17, 1984 |
| Age | 39 years old |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Ethnicity | Avar |
| Height | 5’11” (180.34 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77.11 kg) |
| Fighting Class | Welterweight |
| Net Worth | $1 million |
| Team | American Top Team |
| Religion | Sunni Muslim |
Early Career
Sultan Aliev’s journey in combat sports began relatively late compared to many of his peers.
Born in Kaspiysk, Dagestan, in the former Soviet Union, Aliev didn’t start his combat sports career until he was 23 years old.
His initial focus was on Combat Sambo, a Russian martial art and combat sport developed in the 1920s for the Soviet Red Army.
Professional Career
Sultan Aliev’s professional MMA career began in 2011 when he made his debut in the ProFC promotion.
His first fight was against Sergey Guzev on April 9, 2011, at ProFC 14, where he secured a unanimous decision victory.
This win set the tone for a successful run in the promotion. Over the next few years, Aliev continued to build his reputation in ProFC and other regional promotions.
He showcased his striking power with several TKO and KO victories, demonstrating that his Combat Sambo skills translated well to MMA.
Sultan Aliev’s Net Worth Details
Sultan Aliev’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Base Pay | Win Bonus | Fight Bonus | Total Purse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik | Keita Nakamura | $14,000 | $14,000 | $4,000 | $32,000 |
Endorsements
- Local or regional brands in Russia or Dagestan
- MMA or combat sports equipment manufacturers
- Nutrition or supplement companies catering to athletes
Fight Records
| Opponent | Result | Event | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keita Nakamura | Win | UFC Fight Night 149 | Apr 20, 2019 | Aliev’s final UFC fight before retirement |
| Warlley Alves | Loss | UFC 224 | May 12, 2018 | Alves was a TUF Brazil 3 winner |
| Bojan Velickovic | Win | UFC on Fox 22 | Dec 17, 2016 | Aliev’s first UFC win |
| Kenny Robertson | Loss | UFC on Fox 14 | Jan 24, 2015 | Aliev’s UFC debut |
| Doug Marshall | Loss | Bellator 92 | Mar 7, 2013 | Bellator Middleweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Mikkel Parlo | Win | Bellator 89 | Feb 14, 2013 | Aliev’s Bellator debut |
| Marcin Elsner | Win | ProFC Grand Prix Global Finals | Dec 10, 2011 | Won the ProFC Light Heavyweight Grand Prix |
FAQs
1. Who is Sultan Aliev and what is his background in combat sports?
Sultan Aliev is a retired Russian mixed martial artist and accomplished Combat Sambo practitioner from Dagestan. Born on September 17, 1984, in Kaspiysk, he began training in Combat Sambo at age 23, later transitioning to MMA. He competed in organizations like the UFC and Bellator, retiring with a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 3 losses.
2. What was Sultan Aliev’s professional MMA record?
Aliev retired with a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 3 losses. Of his 15 victories, 10 came by knockout, 5 by decision, and none by submission. His losses included two knockouts and one split decision.
3. What were Sultan Aliev’s most notable UFC fights?
Key UFC bouts include:
- A debut loss to Kenny Robertson via first-round KO (2015).
- A split-decision win over Bojan Veličković (2016).
- A TKO loss to Warlley Alves due to a severe eye injury (2018).
- A final unanimous decision victory over Keita Nakamura (2019), after which he retired.
4. Why did Sultan Aliev retire from MMA?
Aliev retired in April 2019 after his UFC contract ended, citing a need to balance family life, age-related physical demands, and work commitments. He expressed gratitude for his career but stated he could no longer dedicate sufficient time to training.
5. What Combat Sambo achievements did Sultan Aliev earn?
Aliev was a decorated Combat Sambo athlete, winning:
- 2014 FIAS World Combat Sambo Championship (–90 kg).
- 2014 Russian Combat Sambo National Championship.
- 2012 European Combat Sambo Championship.These accolades solidified his reputation as a dominant grappler.
6. What was Sultan Aliev’s fighting style?
Aliev’s style centered on Combat Sambo, emphasizing takedowns, ground control, and heavy ground-and-pound. His wrestling base allowed him to dictate fights, though he also displayed striking power with 10 KO/TKO wins.
7. How did Sultan Aliev perform in Bellator MMA?
In Bellator’s Season 8 Middleweight Tournament (2013), Aliev won a quarterfinal bout against Mikkel Parlo but lost a controversial split decision to Doug Marshall in the semifinals. This marked his first professional MMA loss.
8. What were Sultan Aliev’s physical stats during his MMA career?
Aliev competed at 5’11” (180 cm) and 170 lbs (77 kg) in the UFC’s welterweight division. His reach was listed as 74.5 inches (189 cm), and he fought in an orthodox stance.
9. Where did Sultan Aliev train during his MMA career?
He trained at American Top Team, a renowned MMA gym in Florida, during his UFC tenure. Earlier in his career, he developed his Sambo skills in Dagestan under coaches linked to Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s network.
10. What is Sultan Aliev’s legacy in MMA?
Though not a titleholder, Aliev is remembered as a gritty grappler who represented Dagestan’s combat sports culture. His Sambo-to-MMA transition inspired regional fighters, and his disciplined approach earned respect despite a relatively short UFC stint (2015–2019). Post-retirement, he remains a figure in Russian martial arts circles.
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