Have you ever wondered what it truly takes to become a UFC fighter?
The journey to success in the world of mixed martial arts is often believed to be paved with dedication, hard work, and skill. However, the story of Askar Mozharov unveils a darker side, where lies and deceit played a significant role in his path to the UFC.
Originally named Arthur Shadakov and hailing from Ukraine, Askar embarked on his MMA journey at a relatively young age of 19. Unfortunately, his early experiences inside the cage didn’t unfold as intended, resulting in three consecutive losses, all through submission. Interestingly, one of his opponents, Roman Magomedov, who defeated Askar, faced his own struggles in the realm of fighting.
How to become a UFC Fighter…. BY LYING!
— Bry The MMA Guy (@BryTheMMAguy) January 2, 2024
The story of Askar Mozharov
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Undeterred by these initial setbacks, Askar managed to make a triumphant comeback, securing three consecutive wins. However, upon closer inspection, these victories were achieved against debut fighters, some of whom never pursued a career in the sport beyond that point. It became apparent that Askar could only triumph over opponents without any prior wins or experience. Faced with this predicament, instead of wholeheartedly committing to improving his skills, Askar chose a different, more treacherous path – he resorted to deception.
With a mediocre record of 7-8, Askar decided to fabricate and manipulate his fight history. He went as far as changing his name and attempting to erase his previous losses, essentially starting anew with a spotless record of 0-0. For a while, his deceitful tactics went unnoticed, but eventually, his lies caught up with him. Record keepers became aware of his dishonesty. Despite being exposed on multiple occasions, Askar managed to evade immediate consequences due to his relatively low profile in the fighting community.
As time went on, Askar’s lies became more elaborate and sophisticated. He successfully added fictional wins and removed real losses from his record. Astoundingly, he even managed to secure a coveted contract with the UFC, boasting an impressive record of 25-7, despite the reality being a modest 7-8.
However, the truth has a way of asserting itself, especially within the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. Just a week before his scheduled fight against Alonzo Menifield in 2022, Askar’s web of lies began to unravel. The fabricated wins were stripped away, and undeniable footage of his losses resurfaced. Within a matter of days, his record plummeted from an inflated 25-7 to a more accurate 19-12.
On the night of the highly anticipated fight, the truth finally caught up with Askar. He was brutally defeated by TKO in the first round, and shortly after, he faced the ultimate consequence of his deceit – being released from the UFC. Now holding a record of 19-13 (According to ESPN stats)
The story of Askar Mozharov stands as a cautionary tale in the realm of professional fighting. While shortcuts and deception may appear to provide temporary advantages, the truth always manages to find its way to the surface, especially in an industry as closely scrutinized as the UFC. Honesty, hard work, and unwavering dedication remain the true pillars of success for any aspiring fighter.
This blog is inspired by a YouTube channel named Nerrera Fight Stories and all credits to them for original research, here’s the YouTube video
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