Rivalries: Albert Duraev

Born in the historic city of Volgograd, formerly known as Stalingrad, Albert Duraev emerged from a place steeped in tales of resilience and courage. Just as Volgograd is renowned for its pivotal role in Russian history, Duraev embodies its legacy, forging his path in combat sports with the same unwavering determination.

Since turning pro in 2011, Duraev has amassed an impressive record, winning 11 of his last 13 bouts. With three wins by knockout and nine by submission—three rear-naked chokes, a neck crank, a north-south choke, two triangle chokes and two armbars—Duraev’s diverse arsenal is a testament to his mastery of the ground game. Despite facing adversity, as seen in his recent bout with Junyong Park at UFC on ESPN 49 Duraev remains undeterred, always striving to showcase his skills and dominate his opponents.

The Russian was scheduled to face Robert Bryczek at UFC Fight Night 236 this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. However, Duraev reportedly withdrew from the matchup due to visa issues. Regardless, Duraev continues to carve his path in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and his presence in the organization signifies a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. For him, fighting in the UFC represents the pinnacle of achievement—a dream realized and a platform to showcase his skills on the grandest stage.

As Duraev awaits word on his next assignment, a look at some of the consequential rivalries of his fighting career:

Damian Bilas

Duraev faced off against Bilas at Absolute Championship Akhmat 13 on Jan. 31, 2015. The Russian executed a rare north-south choke in the opening round—a grappling submission that involves applying pressure to the opponent’s neck typically from a frontal position. This victory not only showcased Duraev’s exceptional submission skills but also put an end to Bilas’ impressive five-fight winning streak.

Patrik Kincl

Duraev encountered the Czech mixed martial arts stalwart at under the Absolute Championship Berkut banner on April. 17, 2015. He emerged victorious with a triangle choke submission at 4:50 of the third round. This triumph solidified Duraev’s reputation as a streak-breaker, as he halted Kincl’s five-fight winning streak, as well.

Ustarmagomed Gadzhidaudov

Staying true to his reputation as a streak-breaker, Duraev faced Gadzhidaudov at ACB 22 in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Sept. 12, 2015. Gadzhidaudov entered the bout on a seven-fight tear. The fiercely contested battle concluded in the dying minutes of the fight, with Duraev securing a rear-naked choke submission at 3:40 of the fifth round.

Vyacheslav Vasilevsky

Vasilevsky’s impressive 36-9 record speaks volumes about him as a competitor, earning him the moniker “The Crushin’ Russian.” This formidable reputation set the stage for an intense showdown with Duraev at the ACB 77 event in Moscow on Dec. 23, 2017. Prior to their clash, Vasilevsky boasted a four-fight winning streak, with three of those victories ending in finishes. However, Duraev had other plans. It took Duraev just under four minutes to dispatch his opponent in the first round, solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with.

Chidi Njokuani

The middleweight showdown between Njokuani and the Russian at UFC on ESPN 43 was expected to be a clash of styles, with the former Tachi Palace Fights champion’s striking prowess pitted against Duraev’s wrestling acumen. While the opening round saw Duraev dominate on the ground, the subsequent rounds played out predominantly on the feet. Despite Njokuani’s significant strikes, the Russian’s volume and control earned him a split decision victory, propelling him to a 2-1 record in the UFC.