UFC Releases Deaf Askar Askarov After Health Concerns

UFC player Askar Askarov was born deaf. He can hear only about 20% of the sounds that the majority of people can.

Although Askarov has a disadvantage, he never let his hearing inability take over his dream of becoming a UFC fighter; he does have the advantage of ignoring people’s chant.

Askar would watch video cassettes of the UFC during his childhood and dream of one day fighting for the promotion while aiming to become champion. So, he pursued his dream, became a freestyle wrestler, and later transitioned to MMA.

Askar Askarov has parted ways with UFC to focus on his health; he announced the news through his Instagram, revealing that he has some health concerns.

The fighter shared that his return got delayed due to medical reasons, so he asked UFC to release him, to which he received a positive response.

He chose to put his health first and what happens in the future second; however, he didn’t clarify what happened to him or what made him take a rest from fighting.

Askar has canceled two recent bouts, one with Alex Perez on the 16th of July 2022. Likewise, his fight against Brandon Royval, scheduled on the 15th of October, was canceled due to weight management issues, per UFC’s official statement. 

Furthermore, the athlete also made a post on the 15th of July 2021, sharing that he underwent surgery while he flew to Las Vegas to hold a fight. He thanked everyone who started by his side and his well-wishers for their concern; he further shared in coming back stronger by the end of the year.

Askar Askarov began his career as a freestyle wrestler. He is a professional mixed martial artist competing in the Flyweight division.

The fighter made his professional MMA debut against a fellow debutante, Shamil Amirov, in Russia in July 2013. He has since fought 16 bouts, winning 14, losing one, and drawing once.

Askar also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Absolute Championship Berkut; he also won the ACB Flyweight Championship by defeating José Maria Tomé in the fifth round by submission.

The athlete has also represented Russia as part of the national deaf wrestling team; he competed at the Summer Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey, and became the 2017 Summer Deaflympics 61 kg freestyle wrestling gold medalist.

Likewise, he won the bronze medal in the 2018 Deaf Wrestling World Championships. However, the MMA fighter who made his UFC debut against Brandon Moreno on the 21st of September 2019 has withdrawn from UFC. 

Askar Askarov was born to a Muslim family in the village of Kamysh-Kutan in the Akhvakhsky District of Dagestan in the Russian Federation. 

His parents welcomed him on the 9th of October 1992. A Muslim, he prays to Allah and greets his followers with Assalamualaikum/Assalamu Alaikum. 

The athlete also made an Instagram post on Eid to wish his well-wishers peace, mercy, and blessings on the auspicious occasion. However, his mom and dad have maintained a low profile and have not made a media appearance.

Yet, the fighter has made them proud by making remarkable achievements despite being born with a hearing inability; he has represented his country as part of the national deaf wrestling team.

However, he has credited Magomed Murtazaliev for being the person who always supports him and helps him grow as an athlete. Likewise, Askarov has also posted many pictures with his friends and brothers on his social media, @askar_mma.