UFC middleweight fighter Nursulton Ruziboev has been on a strong run since joining the promotion in 2023. He’s earned wins in three of his four UFC fights so far, and what sets him apart is that all three were finishes.
Still relatively new to the UFC at just two years in, the 31-year-old remains one of the lesser-known names in the MMA world. Here’s a look at his roots, nationality, and family background.
Where Is Nursulton Ruziboev From?
Ruziboev may be only four fights into his UFC career, but his overall pro record speaks volumes. “Black” holds a 35-9-2 mark in MMA, with bouts across several global promotions.
A quick glance at his Instagram shows he’s far from obscure to the wider MMA community — he’s racked up an impressive 1.8 million followers.
His profile also gives away his nationality. Anyone familiar with flags will recognize the Uzbekistani flag featured in multiple posts. Ruziboev often drapes himself in it, proudly representing Uzbekistan on the global stage.
Reports indicate that Ruziboev hails from Shahrixon, a city in Uzbekistan’s Andijan region. While not much is publicly known about his ethnicity, likely, he is ethnically Uzbek, as Uzbeks form the majority in the Andijan region.
There’s also little public info about his immediate family, but some reports say he has two brothers and a sister. One brother, Mashrabjon Ruziboev, is also a pro MMA fighter with a 20-4-1 record, going by the name “Back Junior,” likely a nod to his brother, Nursulton.
Growing up, Ruziboev fought all over the Central Asia region, starting his career in Kazakhstan’s Alash Pride organization. He fights out of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and he earned a master’s degree from Uzbekistan National University.
Ruziboev has never hidden his religious beliefs. A devout Muslim, he has worn a praying cap during pre-fight face-offs, proudly representing his faith.
The Uzbekistani is ready for his next test — he’ll face Dustin Stoltzfus in a main card showdown at UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 17.
Ruziboev returned to middleweight with style on Feb. 22, defeating Eric McConico after a failed welterweight bid against Joaquin Buckley. With momentum on his side, he’ll look to stay in the win column — and maybe add another highlight finish to his résumé.
