Tofiq Musayev Biography: Tofiq Musayev born December 15, 1989 is a professional mixed martial artist from Azerbaijan, currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He previously fought in the Rizin Fighting Federation, where he earned the title of RIZIN Lightweight Grand Prix Champion, and has also competed under the Bellator MMA banner. Despite this dominant performance, no offers came from the WFCA. Unwilling to wait indefinitely for a decision regarding a championship bout, Musayev accepted an offer from the well-known Japanese promotion RIZIN Fighting Federation to compete at their high-profile New Year’s Eve event in 2018.
Tofiq Musayev Biography
Tofiq Musayev’s career gained momentum in Russia, where he impressed by defeating Murad Shakhbaev in his debut. He then traveled to Turkey to compete in the prominent Orion Fight Arena event before returning to WFCA with the goal of capturing the championship belt. His match against Zurab Betergaraev set the stage, but it was his first-round technical knockout of Marif Piraev that truly solidified his claim for a title shot.
Tofiq Musayev Biography 2025 Details
| Born | Tofiq Musayev December 15, 1989 Sahil, Azerbaijan |
|---|---|
| Native name | Тофик Мусаев |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb) |
| Division | Lightweight, Welterweight |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| Team | Orion Fight Club |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Category | WWE News |
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About Tofiq Musayev
Tofiq Musayev is an Azerbaijani professional mixed martial artist, competing in the Lightweight of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has previously fought for Rizin Fighting Federation, where he was the RIZIN Lightweight Grand Prix Champion, and for Bellator MMA.
Tofiq Musayev Wiki
- Born: 15 December 1989 (age 35 years), Sahil, Azerbaijan, Baku
- Weight: 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
- Height: 1.78 m
- Division: Lightweight, Welterweight
- Reach: 72 in (183 cm)
Early Life
Musayev was born in Sahil, Azerbaijan. Due to limited access to sports programs in school, he initially trained in karate and later expanded into pankration, kung-fu, and taekwondo. After achieving success in regional competitions, he chose to focus fully on sanda. Upon finishing school in 2007, he enrolled in the Azerbaijan Sports Academy, where he studied until 2011. During this time, Musayev became the Asian Pankration Champion in 2016 and a world champion in kung-fu. He also holds a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
When Tofiq Musayev began his MMA journey, the sport was still relatively new in Azerbaijan, and there were few experienced fighters available for quality sparring and training. Despite these challenges, he made his professional debut in May 2013 under the Azerbaijan MMA Federation. Unexpectedly placed in the main event, Musayev made a strong impression by securing a first-round victory via heel hook. However, early in his career, ground defense posed a major challenge.
In his first six professional fights, he recorded a 3–3 record, with two of those losses coming by submission. As he sought to improve, Musayev began competing in Ukraine’s Oplot Challenge events and later traveled to Russia for more opportunities to develop his skills. He continued to compete in Azerbaijan, where MMA was gradually gaining popularity, and began refining a striking-focused fighting style that showcased his powerful punches. In 2016, Musayev expanded his career internationally with appearances in China, eventually catching.
Tofiq Musayev net worth 2025
As of 2025, there is no official public estimate of Tofiq Musayev’s net worth. However, according to HypeAuditor, his Instagram account (@tofiq__musayev) potentially generates between $5,601 and $7,674 per month. Additionally, ahead of his UFC debut, Yahoo Sports notes that DraftKings lists Musayev as an underdog, with a projected salary of $7,700 for the bout.
FAQs
How did Tofiq Musayev start his MMA career?
Tofiq Musayev began his professional MMA career in May 2013 at an event organized by the Azerbaijan MMA Federation. He won his debut bout via first-round heel hook, despite MMA being a relatively new sport in Azerbaijan at the time.
What challenges did Tofiq Musayev face early in his MMA journey?
Early in his career, Musayev struggled with ground defense and had limited access to experienced sparring partners. He lost two of his first six fights via submission, highlighting his need to adapt to the sport’s grappling aspects.
How did Tofiq Musayev improve his MMA skills?
To gain better experience, Musayev competed internationally in Ukraine and Russia, where he faced tougher opponents. These experiences helped him evolve his fighting style and sharpen both his striking and ground game.
What martial arts background does Tofiq Musayev have?
Musayev comes from a diverse martial arts background, including karate, pankration, kung-fu, and taekwondo. He later specialized in sanda and holds a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
When did MMA start gaining popularity in Azerbaijan?
MMA began to gain traction in Azerbaijan during Musayev’s early years as a fighter. His performances helped boost the sport’s visibility and popularity within the country.
What is Tofiq Musayev’s estimated net worth?
While there is no official figure for Tofiq Musayev’s net worth in 2025, his estimated monthly earnings from Instagram are between $5,601 and $7,674, according to HypeAuditor.