Zhumabek Tursyn

Zhumabek Tursyn
Zhumabek Tursyn
Born	1986; Xinjiang, China
Occupation(s)	Mixed martial artist, coach
Years active	2011–present
Known for	Competing in Bantamweight and Featherweight mixed martial arts; former UFC fighter

Zhumabek Tursyn () is a Kazakhstani professional mixed martial artist and coach who competes in the Bantamweight category.^[1]

Early life

Originating from the Kazakh ethnic group in Xinjiang, China,^[2] Tursyn developed his skills at the prestigious Xi'an Physical Education University under the guidance of coach Zhao Xuejun. His fighting style is recognized for combining accurate Sanda striking with elements of freestyle wrestling. Moreover, he has trained internationally through his association with Phuket Top Team in Thailand.^[3]

Mixed martial arts career

Before entering the global scene, Zhumabek competed extensively within China's regional MMA circuit. In 2011, he joined Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation (RUFF China), where he secured a knockout victory over Bolin Li at RUFF 1 and later achieved a unanimous decision win against Yanfei Zhao at RUFF 2.

He captured the bantamweight championship at Legend Fighting Championship 7 by overcoming Honggang Yao through a unanimous decision. Returning to RUFF, he was scheduled for a bantamweight title bout with Irshaad Sayed; however, this matchup was canceled due to Zhumabek attracting interest from the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Although reports surfaced in early 2013 about Zhumabek signing with the UFC, his official debut occurred more than a year later. During this interval, he mentioned that his recorded fight history did not include all contests, asserting participation in several bouts in late 2013.

Entering the UFC with an official record of 15-0, Zhumabek made his first appearance against Mark Eddiva at The Ultimate Fighter: China Finale in a featherweight contest but was defeated by unanimous decision.

He returned to compete at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale facing Leandro Issa, where he lost via armbar submission in the third round during a fight that earned Fight of the Night honors.

Initially slated to meet Patrick Williams, Zhumabek instead faced Marcus Brimage on November 8, 2014, at UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping held in Sydney. He suffered a first-round knockout following a head kick and subsequent strikes and was released from his UFC contract thereafter.

Post UFC Career

Beginning November 21, 2015, the athlete transitioned back to the Featherweight division, initiating this phase with a majority draw against Alison Santos Marques at WBK 8 held in Yining, China. Throughout 2016, he achieved successive unanimous decision victories, notably including a rematch triumph over Marques and a win against Giovanni Moljo, which earned him the vacant WBK Featherweight Title.

His winning streak was interrupted by a TKO defeat to Soo Chul Kim during Road FC 032 in July 2016. Nevertheless, he bounced back with knockout victories over Paata Robakidze—secured by a body kick—in December 2016 and Alison Santos Marques via punches in June 2017.

In July 2017, he was defeated by Aliyar Sarkerov in the bout for the vacant KLF Featherweight Championship but quickly recovered by scoring a TKO win against Sergey Yakovlev. This resurgence was followed by a difficult stretch between May and October 2018, during which he suffered losses to Boris Fedorov, Andre Harrison, Lance Palmer, and Alexandre Almeida.

After taking a year-long hiatus, he returned to competition in June 2021 but lost by unanimous decision to Rasul Tezekbaev. The year 2022 marked his resurgence as he moved up to Lightweight, submitting Hasan Mammedov with a rear-naked choke in July and concluding the year with a knockout victory over Yaser Ashayeri in December.

Mixed martial arts record

External links

↑ Jumabieke Tuerxun: From The Rural Edges of China to the UFC, Fightland, accessed 24 October 2014
↑ Jumabieke Tuerxun: From The Rural Edges of China to the UFC, Fightland, accessed 24 October 2014
↑ Legend Fighting Championship signs undefeated chinese MMA fighter Jumabieke Tuerxun, Mmaorient.wordpress.com, 5 January 2012, accessed 24 October 2014

[1] Jumabieke Tuerxun: From The Rural Edges of China to the UFC, Fightland, accessed 24 October 2014

[2] Jumabieke Tuerxun: From The Rural Edges of China to the UFC, Fightland, accessed 24 October 2014

[3] Legend Fighting Championship signs undefeated chinese MMA fighter Jumabieke Tuerxun, Mmaorient.wordpress.com, 5 January 2012, accessed 24 October 2014

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