Fighter In-Depth: Khotam Boynazarov
Weight Class: Welterweight
Record: 13-0
Age: 27
Height: 5’10’’
Born In: Uzbekistan
Training Out Of: Nur Team
Combined Opponent Records (at the time they fought): 78-26
Key Wins: James Llontop, Tahir Abdullaev, Bekmyrza Dosmatov
Set to headline Mangu Professional League 3 in Samarkand, Khotam Boynazarov returns to action against Brazilian veteran Rangel de Sá in a matchup that pits an unbeaten regional standout against a more experienced opponent, which hopefully will propel the winner to an international organization.
Boynazarov enters the bout with a perfect professional record, having built his career across multiple regional promotions since his debut in 2021. Fighting out of Uzbekistan and representing Nur Team, he has remained unbeaten through his rise on the Central Asian circuit while competing under banners including UAE Warriors, and most recently with the Uzbek startup Mangu Professional League.
He began his career with a series of finishes in regional promotions, compiling an unbeaten record through 2022, including a decision win over Bekmyrza Dosmatov at ATFC 14. In 2023, he joined UAE Warriors, adding wins over Mikail Bayram and Giorgi Egnatashvili. In October 2024, Boynazarov captured the UAE Warriors Welterweight Championship with a unanimous decision over Tahir Abdullaev. He defended the title on July 24, 2025, defeating UFC veteran James Llontop by unanimous decision over five rounds. He most recently signed with Mangu Professional League as one of the headliners of the new promotion.
Now competing in his second appearance with Mangu Professional League, Boynazarov faces de Sá in a fight that represents another test against experienced opposition as he looks to extend his unbeaten record in Samarkand.
Khotam Boynozarov presents a profile built on sound defensive responsibility and an excellent wrestling base. His style is overwhelmingly grappling-focused, with constant pressure that draws comparisons to a smaller Khamzat Chimaev in the wrestling department. He is known for spamming takedowns as if his life depends on it, chaining excellent entries, level changes, and consistently securing high-level takedown attempts. His wrestling toolkit is diverse, with throws, double legs, slams, and trips all part of his strong takedown selection. Once on the ground, he drains opponents like a leech, immediately working to take the back and maintaining relentless top pressure that makes escapes extremely difficult.
The main concern with Boynozarov is that he often prioritizes control over damage. He needs to develop a clearer finishing instinct and increase his ground and pound output, as he does not consistently look to close fights, despite dominant positions. His cardio is also a question mark, with his pace potentially dipping, as he arguably lost round four against Llontop, which raises doubts about his ability to sustain his wrestling-heavy approach over three hard rounds or more. Down the line, this is not necessarily a style that will excite the UFC due to the lack of urgency in finding finishes.
On the feet, his striking remains difficult to evaluate given how quickly he reverts to wrestling, and it is not particularly a strong or standout aspect of his game. Overall, his identity is built around relentless wrestling pressure and control rather than damage, finishes, or urgency to end fights.
If we evaluate fighters for their whole attributes, I think Khotam can wrestle with anyone in the world. Getting finishes? That’s a whole other level. He’s definitely talented, but in today’s MMA landscape, being great isn’t enough. Are you a showman? Can you get finishes? That’s what drives the public nowadays, and Khotam isn’t it for the moment.
