2012 World MMA Light Heavyweight Scouting Report: #7 - Artur Alibulatov

Name:	Artur Alibulatov
Nickname:	--
Age:	< 25
Height:	6'0"
Location:	Dagestan

This is a guest post by Rory MacLeod (smoogy)

Makhachkala, the capital of the Russian Republic of Dagestan, is known worldwide as one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Assassinations and bombings are common occurrences due to the close proximity of separatist conflicts in the region. Despite these tumultuous circumstances, young Dagestani fighters like Artur Alibulatov (8-0) have flourished. With a strong national martial arts institution to draw on, he and his peers are poised to conquer the Russian mixed martial arts scene and beyond.

Artur is part of a new wave of fighters from Dagestan entering MMA with a base in Sanda and Combat Sambo. As a large, agile young athlete, he's capable of shooting takedowns and working for submissions, but Alibulatov's preference is to kickbox. Heavy roundhouse kicks, high kicks off the lead leg and a powerful spinning heel kick are his key weapons at distance standing up. When his opponents wear from the kicks, he then drives them to the mat and finishes the job with ground and pound.

In October, Alibulatov competed in the Ukraine World Cup of Martial Arts, entering three separate three-day tournaments in combat sambo, kickboxing and MMA. He won gold in all three events, finishing each of his MMA opponents in the first round. In November, Artur faced Moscow's Oleg Zakharov (5-3) in the Pro FC Ukraine Cup Finals, winning with a first round armbar to take the 93 kg title.

Artur has had success so far relying on his Sambo and Sanda skills, but his grappling needs polishing. He tends to rely on double overhooks in the clinch, leaving his legs open for takedown attacks. His submission attack is effective, but his top control and transitions need to be refined.

Alibulatov is a member of the Odessa Sports Club under coach Abdul Magomedov; the team has led him to early successes in his pro campaign, but Artur may need to seek out wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coaching abroad to take the next step in his career. If his improvement can keep pace with his growing profile on the Russian MMA circuit, Artur Alibulatov has the potential to be one of the next great big men in Eastern European MMA.

Check out video footage of Artur Alibulatov after the jump...

Artur Alibulatov vs Oleg Zaharov

Gabi Boros vs Artur Alibulatov

Artur Alibulatov vs. Sascha Ernst

Artur Alibulatov vs. Unknown

Artur Alibulatov vs Julio Sanchez

Artur Alibulatov vs Asker Unejev