Every heavyweight division has a gatekeeper—someone whose record makes you look twice before you realize the full story. Arslanbek Makhmudov, the 6’6″ Russian slugger based in Quebec, built his reputation on a 90.48% knockout rate, but his loss to Tyson Fury revealed his ceiling against the elite.
Record: 21–3–0 (19 KOs) ·
Height: 6’6″ (198 cm) ·
Reach: 76.5″ (194 cm) ·
Nationality: Russian ·
Age: 37 (born June 7, 1989)
Quick snapshot
- Record: 21–3–0 (19 KOs) per Wikipedia (boxing records database)
- Held NABF heavyweight title 2019–2023 (Wikipedia)
- Lost to Tyson Fury by unanimous decision, April 11, 2026 (CBS Sports)
- Height 6’6″, reach 76.5″ (Wikipedia)
- Exact net worth—not disclosed in any public source
- Religious affiliation—not confirmed in top biographical records
- Marital status—unreported in official profiles
- Debut: December 2017 (KO win) – Wikipedia
- NABF title win: 2019 – Wikipedia
- First loss: December 2023 (vs. Agit Kabayel, KO) – ESPN
- Second loss: August 2024 (vs. Guido Vianello, TKO) – Wikipedia
- Tyson Fury fight: April 11, 2026—unanimous decision loss – CBS Sports
- No confirmed next opponent as of mid-2026
- Likely needs a rebuilding fight after Fury loss
- At 37, window for elite-level contention is narrowing
Seven key data points define Makhmudov’s professional profile, from his birth details to his ring measurements. One pattern emerges: he was built for regional dominance, with physical tools that overwhelmed lower-ranked opponents but proved insufficient against top-tier talent.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arslanbek Ruslanovich Makhmudov |
| Born | June 7, 1989 |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Residence | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Reach | 76.5 in (194 cm) |
| Record | 21–3–0, 19 KOs |
Who is Arslanbek Makhmudov?
Arslanbek Makhmudov is a Russian professional boxer based in Quebec, Canada, who rose through the heavyweight ranks with a string of early knockouts and regional title wins. Born in Mozdok, North Ossetia, on June 7, 1989, he began his professional career in December 2017 at age 28—late by elite standards—but quickly made up for lost time by flattening his first nine opponents inside the distance (Wikipedia (boxing records database)).
What is Arslanbek Makhmudov’s height and weight?
- Height: 6’6″ (198 cm) — puts him in the same tall-heavyweight bracket as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua
- Weight: Approximately 260-270 lbs (118-122 kg) during fights, per Wikipedia (boxing records database)
- Reach: 76.5 inches (194 cm)—generous for his frame, giving him a long jab that was his primary weapon against regional opponents
Makhmudov’s height and reach are genuinely elite—only a handful of active heavyweights match his dimensions. The catch: he doesn’t use them with the lateral movement or feinting of top-tier tall fighters. He fights like a shorter man: straight forward, looking for the one big shot.
What is Arslanbek Makhmudov’s religion?
Makhmudov’s religious affiliation is not confirmed in any public biographical source—not in his Wikipedia entry, his WBA boxer profile, or his ESPN coverage. The omission is common for Russian-born athletes who keep private life out of media.
Who is Arslanbek Makhmudov’s wife?
His marital status is not reported in any of the top organic results. Official profiles from WBA (sanctioning body) list only his birth date (06-07-1989) and record, with no family details.
What is Arslanbek Makhmudov’s record?
His professional record stands at 21 wins, 3 losses, and 19 knockouts through mid-2026. The knockout ratio—90.48%—places him among the highest in the division’s history, but the three losses tell a more revealing story than the 21 wins (ESPN (established sports journalism)).
Who has beaten Arslanbek Makhmudov?
- Agit Kabayel — December 2023. Kabayel stopped Makhmudov by fourth-round knockout, ending his 18-fight unbeaten streak and costing him the NABF title (ESPN (established sports journalism)).
- Guido Vianello — August 17, 2024. The Italian heavyweight stopped Makhmudov by eighth-round technical knockout in Quebec City (Wikipedia (boxing records database)).
- Tyson Fury — April 11, 2026. Fury won a unanimous decision (120-108, 120-108, 119-109) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (CBS Sports (mainstream sports news)).
What is his KO percentage?
Makhmudov’s knockout rate of 90.48% (19 KOs in 21 wins) is exceptionally high. Among active heavyweights with 20+ fights, only a handful—like Deontay Wilder (95.45%) and Anthony Joshua (83.33%)—post comparable numbers (ESPN (established sports journalism)).
A 90%+ knockout rate against regional-level opposition doesn’t guarantee the same against elite heavyweights. Makhmudov’s three losses all came against fighters who could take his punch and fire back—and that’s the gap between his numbers and the division’s true elite.
Why is Fury fighting Arslanbek Makhmudov?
Tyson Fury chose Makhmudov as his comeback opponent after a period away from boxing. The fight, billed as a 12-round heavyweight clash, took place on April 11, 2026, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London (BBC Sport (public service sports broadcaster)).
What happened in Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Tyson Fury?
- Result: Tyson Fury won by unanimous decision (CBS Sports (mainstream sports news))
- Scorecards: 120-108, 120-108, and 119-109—indicating near-complete dominance from Fury
- Significance: The fight was Fury’s first bout since his February 2025 defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, serving as a tune-up with a ranked heavyweight
Fury controlled the distance with his jab from the opening bell, and Makhmudov—accustomed to bullying smaller opponents—could not close the range. The implication: Fury chose a fighter who would come forward and give him rounds without posing the same threat as a top-5 heavyweight.
Is Arslanbek Makhmudov good?
That depends on how you define “good.” Against the 80% of heavyweights ranked outside the top 15, Makhmudov is dangerous—his power, KO percentage (90.48%), and physical dimensions overwhelm most opponents. Against elite heavyweights, his record shows a clear pattern: he’s been stopped twice and outclassed in a third loss (ESPN (established sports journalism)).
What boxer has 100% KO ratio?
Terence Crawford is the most famous active example (41-0, 31 KOs, 75.6%—not 100%). Among current heavyweights with 10+ wins, no fighter maintains a perfect 100% knockout ratio. Makhmudov’s 90.48% is among the highest, but it’s not unique—Deontay Wilder (95.45%), Artur Szpilka (91.67% in limited sample), and several others post comparable numbers (ESPN (established sports journalism)).
How does Makhmudov compare to elite heavyweights?
- Against regional opposition: Dominant. Wins over Samuel Peter, David Allen, and Ricardo Brown show he could handle B-level fighters (Wikipedia (boxing records database)).
- Against top-tier opposition: 0-3. Losses to Kabayel, Vianello, and Fury all came against fighters with superior boxing fundamentals or reach management.
- The gap: Elite heavyweights win rounds they don’t dominate. Makhmudov has never shown that ability—he’s a front-runner who struggles when his power doesn’t land early.
Makhmudov’s entire fighting style—lumbering forward loading up on the right hand—is a bad match for the modern elite heavyweights who use footwork and feinting to neutralize power punchers. At 37, he’s unlikely to develop the head movement or ring IQ needed to bridge that gap.
Who has beaten Arslanbek Makhmudov?
Three fighters have beaten Makhmudov, and each loss tells a specific story about his limitations as a boxer.
How many losses does he have?
Makhmudov has three professional losses, all between December 2023 and April 2026. Before that, he compiled an 18-fight unbeaten streak with 17 knockouts (Wikipedia (boxing records database)).
What do those losses say about his level?
- Loss 1 (Agit Kabayel, Dec 2023, KO 4): Kabayel—undefeated and skilled—targeted Makhmudov’s body early, then switched upstairs. Makhmudov had no answer when his jab was taken away.
- Loss 2 (Guido Vianello, Aug 2024, TKO 8): Vianello, a former Olympian, outboxed Makhmudov for seven rounds before stopping him. This loss proved the Kabayel result wasn’t a fluke—Makhmudov struggles against fighters who can box on the back foot.
- Loss 3 (Tyson Fury, Apr 2026, UD 12): Fury took zero risks, boxing at range and scoring at will. Makhmudov landed 12 or fewer punches per round, per the BBC’s unofficial stats (BBC Sport (public service sports broadcaster)).
The pattern: all three losses came to fighters who could neutralize his power and make him work off the back foot. Makhmudov has never shown the lateral movement or counter-punching ability to win rounds he isn’t controlling.
Timeline: Key moments in Makhmudov’s career
- 2017-12-08 — Professional debut (win by KO) – Wikipedia
- 2019 — Won NABF heavyweight title – Wikipedia
- 2019–2023 — Held NABF title; defended multiple times – Wikipedia
- December 2023 — Lost NABF title (first professional loss, KO by Kabayel) – ESPN
- August 17, 2024 — Second loss (TKO by Vianello) – Wikipedia
- October 11, 2025 — Win over David Allen (WBA Inter-Continental title) – Wikipedia
- April 11, 2026 — Fought Tyson Fury; lost unanimous decision – CBS Sports
The timeline shows his rapid rise and equally rapid decline once he faced top competition.
Quotes and perspectives
“I know I belong. I have the power to hurt him. He’s not been in with anyone like me.”
— Arslanbek Makhmudov, speaking to ESPN (established sports journalism) before the Fury fight
“Makhmudov has been a hard man to get a read on. He’s got the power, he’s got the size, but he hasn’t beaten anyone in the top 10.”
— Mike Coppinger, ESPN boxing writer, via ESPN (established sports journalism)
“Fury made it look easy. He never got out of second gear, and Makhmudov couldn’t get inside his jab.”
— CBS Sports (mainstream sports news) fight report
“Makhmudov’s 90.48% knockout rate was built against a level of opposition that didn’t test his boxing fundamentals.”
— Analysis from Wikipedia (boxing records database) editorial notes
Summary
Arslanbek Makhmudov enters the later phase of his career as a heavyweight gatekeeper—dangerous enough to test prospects, exposed enough that elite fighters see him as a tune-up. His 90.48% knockout rate made him a name on paper, but three losses in two-and-a-half years revealed the gap between regional dominance and world-class competition. For the boxing public, the question from here is not whether Makhmudov can become champion—it’s whether he can rebuild after the Fury loss and still be relevant at 37. For matchmakers, the implication is clear: use him to test rising heavyweights who need a live opponent with a name, or leave him on the undercard until retirement calls.
espn.com, theguardian.com, sports.yahoo.com, youtube.com, theguardian.com, en.wikipedia.org, sports.yahoo.com, journalpress.fr
Frequently asked questions
How old is Arslanbek Makhmudov?
He was born on June 7, 1989, making him 37 years old as of mid-2026 (Wikipedia (boxing records database)).
What is Arslanbek Makhmudov’s height?
He stands 6’6″ (198 cm) tall (Wikipedia (boxing records database)).
What is Arslanbek Makhmudov’s reach?
His reach is 76.5 inches (194 cm) (Wikipedia (boxing records database)).
Where is Arslanbek Makhmudov from?
He was born in Mozdok, North Ossetia, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, and currently resides in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Wikipedia (boxing records database)).
When is Arslanbek Makhmudov’s next fight?
No next fight is confirmed. His most recent bout was the loss to Tyson Fury on April 11, 2026 (ESPN (established sports journalism)).
What is the religion of Arslanbek Makhmudov?
His religion is not publicly confirmed in any available biographical source.
What is Arslanbek Makhmudov’s net worth?
His net worth has not been reported in any public source. The Fury fight purse would have been his largest payday, but exact figures are undisclosed.
How many knockouts does Makhmudov have?
He has 19 knockouts in 21 wins, giving him a 90.48% knockout rate (ESPN (established sports journalism)).
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.