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]
Current season, competition or edition: 2022 in Eagle Fighting Championship | |
 | |
| Formerly | Federation of MMA of Samara (FMMAS) Gorilla Fighting Championship (GFC) |
|---|---|
| Sport | Mixed martial arts |
| Founded | May 2017 (FMMAS/GFC) Dec 2020 (EFC) |
| Owner(s) | Khabib Nurmagomedov Rizvan Magomedov Shamil Zavurov |
| Headquarters | Dagestan, Russia |
History
editIn 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
edit| 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
editScheduled events
edit| Event | Date | Venue | Location |
|---|
Past events
edit| 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 |
Current champions
edit| 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) |  Diyar Nurgozhay |
August 21, 2022 | 0 |
| Middleweight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) | 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) |  Ramin Sultanov |
November 11, 2023 | 0 |
| Featherweight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) | Vacant |
||
| Bantamweight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) |  Renat Khavalov |
March 19, 2021 | 3 |
| Flyweight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) | Irgit Oveenchi |
August 10, 2022 | 0 |
Championship history
editHeavyweight Championship
edit206 to 265 lb (93 to 120 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 | 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
edit186 to 205 lb (84 to 93 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current | Diyar Nurgozhay def. Konstantin Andreitsev |
Eagle FC 50 Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan |
August 21, 2022 |
Middleweight Championship
edit175 to 185 lb (79 to 84 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 |  Faridun Odilovdef. Sergey Kalinin |
EFC 33 Moscow, Russia |
February 9, 2021 | 1. def. Enoc Solves Torres at EFC 43 on December 10, 2021 |
| – | 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 | Dauren Ermekov
|
Eagle FC 48 & Naiza FC 41 Aktau, Kazakhstan |
July 16, 2022 | |
| Ermekov vacated when he chose to test free agency. | ||||
Welterweight Championship
edit166 to 175 lb (75 to 79 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 | Samandar Murodov def. Maxim Shvets |
Eagle FC 41 Moscow, Russia |
September 17, 2021 | |
| – | 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 | 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
edit146 to 155 lb (66 to 70 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maksim Trunov def. Timur Gilimzyanov |
Battle on Volga 10 Toliatti, Russia |
April 14, 2019 | |
| 2 | Anvar Chergesov
|
GFC 18 Samara, Russia |
October 6, 2019 | |
| - | Gadzhi Rabadanov def. João Paulo Silva |
GFC 24 Samara, Russia |
February 9, 2020 | |
| 3 | Jahongir Saidjamolov
|
GFC 29 Samara, Russia |
October 16, 2020 | |
| Saidjamolov vacated when he signed with Brave Combat Federation | ||||
| 4 | Gadzhi Rabadanov promoted to undisputed champion |
GFC 24 Samara, Russia |
February 9, 2020 | |
| 5 | Mehdi Dakaev def. Gadzhi Rabadanov |
EFC 30 Moscow, Russia |
December 4, 2020 |
1. def. Uzair Abdurakov at EFC 35 on April 06, 2021 |
| Dakaev vacated on April 2023 when he signed with ACA. [14] | ||||
| Current | Ramin Sultanov def. Magomed Kurbanov |
Eagle FC 54 Almetyevsk, Russia |
November 11, 2023 | |
Featherweight Championship
edit136 to 145 lb (61 to 66 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 |  Jora Ayvazyan
|
Battle on Volga 10 Toliatti, Russia |
April 14, 2019 | |
| 3 | Rasul Magomedov
|
EFC 30 Moscow, Russia |
December 4, 2020 | |
| 4 | Ruslan Yamanbaev
|
EFC 35 Moscow, Russia |
April 6, 2021 | |
| 5 |  Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu
|
EFC 38 Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan |
August 3, 2021 | |
| - | Rasul Magomedov def. Abdurakhman Gitinovasov for interim title |
Eagle FC 45 Moscow, Russia |
February 18, 2022 | |
| 6 | Rasul Magomedov
|
Eagle FC 49 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
August 10, 2022 | |
| Magomedov vacated in August 2023 when he signed with ACA. [15] | ||||
Bantamweight Championship
edit126 to 135 lb (57 to 61 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 | 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 | 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
edit116 to 125 lb (53 to 57 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 | 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 | Mansur Malachiev def. Rashid Vagabov |
EFC 38 Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan |
August 3, 2021 | |
| Malachiev was stripped of title due to injury. | ||||
| Current | Irgit Oveenchi def. Magomedrasul Gadzhiev |
Eagle FC 49 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
August 10, 2022 | |
Women's divisions (defunct)
editWomen's Bantamweight Championship
edit126 pounds (57 kg) to 135 pounds (61 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Marta Waliczekdef. 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
edit116 pounds (53 kg) to 125 pounds (57 kg)
| No. | Name | Event | Date | Defenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Liliya Shakirovadef. Aygul Kuzu Abduvakhid |
GFC 18 Samara, Russia |
October 06, 2019 | |
| GFC becomes EFC. The title was subsequently deactivated | ||||
Notable athletes and alumni
edit- Diego Sanchez: Former UFC Lightweight Championship Contender.[16] TUF 1 Middleweight Tournament Winner.[17] Former KOTC Welterweight Champion.[18]
- Kevin Lee: Former UFC interim Lightweight Championship Contender[19]
- Renan Barão: Former UFC Bantamweight Champion[20]
- Rashad Evans: Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion[21]
- Antônio Silva: Former UFC Heavyweight Fighter[22]
- Junior dos Santos: Former UFC Heavyweight Champion[23]
- Ray Borg: Former UFC Flyweight Title Challenger[24]
- Umar Nurmagomedov: Current UFC Bantamweight and cousin of Eagle FC founder Khabib Nurmagomedov. Ex-Combat Sambo Champion (Not FIAS)[25] & former Bantamweight Champion of GFC[26]
- Usman Nurmagomedov: Current Bellator Lightweight Champion. Cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov and younger brother of Umar Nurmagomedov.[27][28]
- Tagir Ulanbekov: Current UFC Flyweight[29] and former Flyweight Champion of GFC. Ex-World Combat Sambo Champion (Not FIAS).[30]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC to land in U.S. in 2022". ESPN.com. 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
- ^ Mckeever, Lewis (December 4, 2020). "Khabib launches Eagle Fighting Championships, hopes to strike deal with UFC". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
- ^ Ellis, Jordan. "REPORT | Khabib Nurmagomedov Buys Fight Promotion For $1 Million". Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ "Нурмагомедов объяснил, зачем купил промоушен GFC за $ 1 млн". championat. 2 December 2020.
- ^ "Khabib Nurmagomedov bringing his Eagle FC promotion to Miami in January". MMA Junkie. 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ "Spong-Silva headlines Eagle FC's debut in U.S." ESPN.com. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ 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.
- ^ MMA Mania
- ^ ESPN
- ^ "11 ноября в Татарстане состоится турнир Eagle FC 54". mma.metaratings.ru (in Russian). September 28, 2023.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Eagle Fighting Championship Fights, Fight Cards, Videos, Pictures, Events and more". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
- ^ Tristen Critchfield (2022-12-06). "PFL Signs Eagle FC Heavyweight King Rizvan Kuniev, Two Other Regional Champions". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
- ^ "Чемпион Eagle FC Денис Измоденов подписал контракт с ACA". mma.metaratings.ru (in Russian). April 9, 2023.
- ^ "ЧМехди Дакаев перешел в лигу ACA". fight.ru (in Russian). April 8, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez". UFC. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
- ^ "The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale". UFC. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
- ^ "KOTC 37: Unfinished Business - Results". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
- ^ Martin, Damon (2021-12-15). "Former UFC fighter Kevin Lee signs with Khabib Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Rashad Evans to Return from retirement at Eagle FC 44". MMA Sucka. 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Junior dos Santos books May 20 Eagle FC debut". ESPN.com. 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Ray". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
- ^ "World Combat Sambo Championship 2015. 11-12 Desember. Moscow. Results » European Combat Sambo Federation". ecsambo.org. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
- ^ "Umar Nurmagomedov | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
- ^ "Bellator MMA". www.bellator.com. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
- ^ "Usman Nurmagomedov | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
- ^ "Tagir Ulanbekov | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2020-05-22. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
- ^ "World Combat Sambo Championship (WCSF). December 16, 2014. Moscow. Russia. Results » European Combat Sambo Federation". ecsambo.org. Retrieved 2022-06-18.