Eagle Fighting Championship

Eagle Fighting Championship
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2022 in Eagle Fighting Championship
FormerlyFederation of MMA of Samara (FMMAS)
Gorilla Fighting Championship (GFC)
SportMixed martial arts
FoundedMay 2017 (FMMAS/GFC)
Dec 2020 (EFC)
Owner(s)Khabib Nurmagomedov
Rizvan Magomedov
Shamil Zavurov
HeadquartersDagestan, Russia

Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC), commonly referred to as Eagle FC, is a Russian mixed martial arts promotion company established in 2020 by former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. It was renamed to Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC) after Nurmagomedov bought Gorilla Fighting Championship (GFC) for $1 million.[1][2]

History

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In November 2020, Khabib Nurmagomedov bought the Russian MMA promotion Gorilla Fighting Championship (formerly known as Federation of MMA of Samara), for $1 million and renamed it to Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC).[3][4]

GFC had been in the industry since 2017 and was on the edge of bankruptcy. When Nurmagomedov retired, he acquired the promotion and became the promoter.

EFC held their first event in the USA on January 28, 2022 in Miami, Florida.[5][6][7]

Weight divisions

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See also: Mixed martial arts weight classes
Weight class name Upper limit
Before 2022 After 2022[8]
Strawweight 115 lb (52.2 kg) N/A
Flyweight 125 lb (56.7 kg) 125 lb (56.7 kg)
Bantamweight 135 lb (61.2 kg) 135 lb (61.2 kg)
Featherweight 145 lb (65.8 kg) 145 lb (65.8 kg)
Lightweight 155 lb (70.3 kg) 155 lb (70.3 kg)
Super lightweight N/A 165 lb (74.8 kg)[9]
Welterweight 170 lb (77.1 kg) 175 lb (79.4 kg)
Middleweight 185 lb (83.9 kg) 185 lb (83.9 kg)
Light heavyweight N/A 205 lb (93.0 kg)
Heavyweight 265 lb (120.2 kg) 265 lb (120.2 kg)

Events

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Scheduled events

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Event Date Venue Location

Past events

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Event Title Date Arena Location
Eagle FC 54: Yamilov vs. Mamedov [10] November 11, 2023 Almetyevsk, Russia
Eagle FC 53: Yaskovets vs. Abdurakov August 18, 2023 Yakutsk, Russia
Eagle FC 52: Chergesov vs. Tuyakov June 17, 2023 Dagestan, Russia
Eagle FC 51: Izmodenov vs. Mukhtarov December 10, 2022 KSK Zhayyk Atyrau, Kazakhstan
Eagle FC 50: Nurgozhay vs. Andreitsev August 21, 2022 Barys Arena Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Eagle FC 49: Busurmankul vs. Magomedov August 10, 2022 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Eagle FC 48 & Naiza FC 41 July 16, 2022 Aktau, Kazakhstan
Eagle FC 47: Dos Santos vs. De Castro May 20, 2022 FTX Arena Miami, Florida, U.S.
Eagle FC 46: Lee vs. Sanchez March 11, 2022 FTX Arena Miami, Florida, U.S.
Eagle FC 45: Busurmankul vs. Magomedov February 18, 2022 Crocus Expo Moscow, Russia
Eagle FC 44: Spong vs. Kharitonov January 28, 2022 FTX Arena Miami, Florida, U.S.
EFC 43 December 10, 2021 Moscow, Russia
EFC 42 October 17, 2021 WOW Arena Sochi, Russia
EFC 41/AMC Fight Nights September 17, 2021 Crocus Expo Arena Moscow, Russia
EFC 40 September 4, 2021 Sport Complex Jubilee Almetyevsk, Russia
EFC 39 August 22, 2021 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
EFC 38 August 3, 2021 Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan
EFC 37 August 22, 2021 Almaty Arena Almaty, Kazakhstan

[11]

Current champions

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Class Upper weight limit Champion Date Defenses
Heavyweight 265 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st) Vacant
Light heavyweight 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) Kazakhstan Diyar Nurgozhay August 21, 2022 0
Middleweight 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) Kazakhstan Dauren Ermekov
Welterweight 175 lb (79 kg; 12.5 st) Vacant
Super lightweight 165 lb (75 kg; 11.8 st) Vacant
Lightweight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) Azerbaijan Ramin Sultanov November 11, 2023 0
Featherweight 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) Vacant
Bantamweight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) Russia Renat Khavalov March 19, 2021 3
Flyweight 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) Russia Irgit Oveenchi August 10, 2022 0

Championship history

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Heavyweight Championship

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206 to 265 lb (93 to 120 kg)

No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Russia Shamil Abasov
def. Alexander Soldatkin 		Battle on Volga 4
Samara, Russia 		May 11, 2018 1. def. Yuriy Protzenko at Battle on Volga 8 on December 14, 2018
2 Russia Rizvan Kuniev GFC 16
Astrakhan, Russia 		August 30, 2019 1. def. Vladimir Dayneko at EFC 31 on December 20, 2020
2. def. Anthony Hamilton at Eagle FC 46 on March 11, 2022
Kuniev vacated the title on December 6, 2022, when he signed with Professional Fighters League.[12]

Light Heavyweight Championship

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186 to 205 lb (84 to 93 kg)

No. Name Event Date Defenses
Current Kazakhstan Diyar Nurgozhay
def. Konstantin Andreitsev 		Eagle FC 50
Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan 		August 21, 2022

Middleweight Championship

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175 to 185 lb (79 to 84 kg)

No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Russia Rinat Fakhretdinov
def. Alberto Uda 		GFC 11
Penza, Russia 		May 3, 2019

1. def. Jhonny Carlos at GFC 16 on August 30, 2019

Fakhretdinov vacated when he chose to test free agency.
2 Tajikistan Faridun Odilov
def. Sergey Kalinin 		EFC 33
Moscow, Russia 		February 9, 2021 1. def. Enoc Solves Torres at EFC 43 on December 10, 2021
– Kazakhstan Dauren Ermekov
def. Gamzat Khiramagomedov for interim title 		Eagle FC 48 & Naiza FC 41
Aktau, Kazakhstan 		July 16, 2022
Odilov was stripped of the title due to injury. Ermekov promoted to champ
3 Kazakhstan Dauren Ermekov Eagle FC 48 & Naiza FC 41
Aktau, Kazakhstan 		July 16, 2022
Ermekov vacated when he chose to test free agency.

Welterweight Championship

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166 to 175 lb (75 to 79 kg)

No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Russia Magomed Umalatov
def. Aleksey Novikov 		GFC 16
Astrakhan, Russia 		August 30, 2019 1. def. Rashid Koychakaev at EFC 31 on December 20, 2020
Umalatov vacated in May 2020 when he signed with PFL
2 Tajikistan Samandar Murodov
def. Maxim Shvets 		Eagle FC 41
Moscow, Russia 		September 17, 2021
– Russia Imam-Shapi Mukhtarov
def. Azamat Dzhigkaev for interim title 		Eagle FC 50
Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan 		August 21, 2022
Murodov vacated to test free agency.
3 Russia Denis Izmodenov
def. Imam-Shapi Mukhtarov 		Eagle FC 51
Atyrau, Kazakhstan 		December 10, 2022
Izmodenov vacated on April 2023 when he signed with ACA. [13]

Lightweight Championship

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146 to 155 lb (66 to 70 kg)

No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Russia Maksim Trunov
def. Timur Gilimzyanov 		Battle on Volga 10
Toliatti, Russia 		April 14, 2019
2 Russia Anvar Chergesov GFC 18
Samara, Russia 		October 6, 2019
- Russia Gadzhi Rabadanov
def. João Paulo Silva 		GFC 24
Samara, Russia 		February 9, 2020
3 Tajikistan Jahongir Saidjamolov GFC 29
Samara, Russia 		October 16, 2020
Saidjamolov vacated when he signed with Brave Combat Federation
4 Russia Gadzhi Rabadanov
promoted to undisputed champion 		GFC 24
Samara, Russia 		February 9, 2020
5 Russia Mehdi Dakaev
def. Gadzhi Rabadanov 		EFC 30
Moscow, Russia 		December 4, 2020

1. def. Uzair Abdurakov at EFC 35 on April 06, 2021
2. def. Magomed Zaynukov at EFC 43 on December 10, 2021

Dakaev vacated on April 2023 when he signed with ACA. [14]
Current Azerbaijan Ramin Sultanov
def. Magomed Kurbanov 		Eagle FC 54
Almetyevsk, Russia 		November 11, 2023

Featherweight Championship

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136 to 145 lb (61 to 66 kg)

No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Russia Abdurakhman Gitinovasov
def. Mark Volkov 		Battle on Volga 6
Samara, Russia 		September 23, 2018

1. def. Ivan Zhvirblia at Battle on Volga 8 on December 14, 2018

2 Armenia Jora Ayvazyan Battle on Volga 10
Toliatti, Russia 		April 14, 2019
3 Russia Rasul Magomedov EFC 30
Moscow, Russia 		December 4, 2020
4 Russia Ruslan Yamanbaev EFC 35
Moscow, Russia 		April 6, 2021
5 Kyrgyzstan Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu EFC 38
Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan 		August 3, 2021
- Russia Rasul Magomedov
def. Abdurakhman Gitinovasov for interim title 		Eagle FC 45
Moscow, Russia 		February 18, 2022
6 Russia Rasul Magomedov Eagle FC 49
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 		August 10, 2022
Magomedov vacated in August 2023 when he signed with ACA. [15]

Bantamweight Championship

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126 to 135 lb (57 to 61 kg)

No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Russia Umar Nurmagomedov
def. Fatkhidin Sobirov 		Battle on Volga 4
Samara, Russia 		May 11, 2018 1. def. Wagner Lima at Battle on Volga 10 on April 14, 2019
2. def. Taras Grytskiv at GFC 14 on July 13, 2019
3. def. Braian Gonzalez at GFC 20 on November 23, 2019
Title was vacated when Nurmagomedov signed with the UFC
2 Russia Mansur Malachiev
def. Ruslan Sariev 		EFC 33
Moscow, Russia 		February 9, 2021
Title was vacated in March 2021 when Malachiev moved down to Flyweight
Current Russia Renat Khavalov
def. Sharapudin Magomedov 		EFC 34
Krasnodar, Russia 		March 19, 2021 1. def. Patrizio de Souza at EFC 42 on October 17, 2021
2. def. Ramazan Amaev at Eagle FC 48 & Naiza FC 41 on July 16, 2022
3. def. Renat Ondar at Eagle FC 51 on December 10, 2022

Flyweight Championship

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116 to 125 lb (53 to 57 kg)

No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Russia Ali Bagautinov
def. Denis Araujo 		Battle on Volga 6
Samara, Russia 		September 23, 2018
Bagautinov vacated the title when he signed for the Fight Nights Global.
2 Russia Tagir Ulanbekov
def. Aleksandr Podlesniy 		GFC 11
Penza, Russia 		May 3, 2019 1. def. Denis Araujo at GFC 17 on September 27, 2019
2. def. Denilson Matos at GFC 22 on December 13, 2019
Ulanbekov vacated the title when he signed for the UFC.
3 Russia Mansur Malachiev
def. Rashid Vagabov 		EFC 38
Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan 		August 3, 2021
Malachiev was stripped of title due to injury.
Current Russia Irgit Oveenchi
def. Magomedrasul Gadzhiev 		Eagle FC 49
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 		August 10, 2022

Women's divisions (defunct)

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Women's Bantamweight Championship

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126 pounds (57 kg) to 135 pounds (61 kg)

No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Poland Marta Waliczek
def. Karina Vasilenko 		Battle on Volga 4
Samara, Russia 		May 11, 2018

1. def. Zaira Dyshekova at Battle on Volga 10 on April 14, 2019

Federation of MMA of Samara becomes GFC. The title was subsequently deactivated

Women's Flyweight Championship

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116 pounds (53 kg) to 125 pounds (57 kg)

No. Name Event Date Defenses
1 Uzbekistan Liliya Shakirova
def. Aygul Kuzu Abduvakhid 		GFC 18
Samara, Russia 		October 06, 2019
GFC becomes EFC. The title was subsequently deactivated

Notable athletes and alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC to land in U.S. in 2022". ESPN.com. 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  2. ^ Mckeever, Lewis (December 4, 2020). "Khabib launches Eagle Fighting Championships, hopes to strike deal with UFC". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  3. ^ Ellis, Jordan. "REPORT | Khabib Nurmagomedov Buys Fight Promotion For $1 Million". Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  4. ^ "Нурмагомедов объяснил, зачем купил промоушен GFC за $ 1 млн". championat. 2 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Khabib Nurmagomedov bringing his Eagle FC promotion to Miami in January". MMA Junkie. 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  6. ^ "Spong-Silva headlines Eagle FC's debut in U.S." ESPN.com. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  7. ^ Martin, Damon (2022-01-28). "Eagle FC 44 results: Rashad Evans makes successful return from retirement with dominant win over Gabriel Checco". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  8. ^ MMA Mania
  9. ^ ESPN
  10. ^ "11 ноября в Татарстане состоится турнир Eagle FC 54". mma.metaratings.ru (in Russian). September 28, 2023.
  11. ^ Sherdog.com. "Eagle Fighting Championship Fights, Fight Cards, Videos, Pictures, Events and more". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  12. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2022-12-06). "PFL Signs Eagle FC Heavyweight King Rizvan Kuniev, Two Other Regional Champions". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  13. ^ "Чемпион Eagle FC Денис Измоденов подписал контракт с ACA". mma.metaratings.ru (in Russian). April 9, 2023.
  14. ^ "ЧМехди Дакаев перешел в лигу ACA". fight.ru (in Russian). April 8, 2023.
  15. ^ "Бывший чемпион Eagle FC в полулегкой весовой категории Расул Магомедов подписал контракт с ACA. Об этом российская лига сообщила в своих социальных сетях". mma.metaratings.ru (in Russian). August 22, 2023.
  16. ^ "UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez". UFC. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  17. ^ "The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale". UFC. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  18. ^ "KOTC 37: Unfinished Business - Results". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  19. ^ Martin, Damon (2021-12-15). "Former UFC fighter Kevin Lee signs with Khabib Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  20. ^ Martin, Damon (2021-12-13). "Ex-UFC champ Renan Barao faces Horacio Gutierrez at Eagle FC 44 in January". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  21. ^ "Rashad Evans to Return from retirement at Eagle FC 44". MMA Sucka. 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  22. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2021-12-16). "'Bigfoot' Silva: 'I have no idea' why I'm out of Eagle FC main event; Eagle FC issues statement". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  23. ^ "Junior dos Santos books May 20 Eagle FC debut". ESPN.com. 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  24. ^ Sherdog.com. "Ray". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  25. ^ "World Combat Sambo Championship 2015. 11-12 Desember. Moscow. Results » European Combat Sambo Federation". ecsambo.org. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  26. ^ "Umar Nurmagomedov | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  27. ^ "Bellator MMA". www.bellator.com. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  28. ^ "Usman Nurmagomedov | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
  29. ^ "Tagir Ulanbekov | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2020-05-22. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  30. ^ "World Combat Sambo Championship (WCSF). December 16, 2014. Moscow. Russia. Results » European Combat Sambo Federation". ecsambo.org. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
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