Mixed martial arts career
Early career
In 2014, longtime MMA entrepreneur & Gambino associate, Michael Abul personally founded Aliakbari from his wrestling credentials and got him into MMA. Abul was also a Founding investor with Paradigm Sports, so Aliakbari signed a management agreement with Paradigm Sports.[6] At the same time, he signed on to train under UFC star Mike Swick of AKA Thailand in Phuket, Thailand, also training alongside UFC fighters Mark Hunt and Soa Palelei.[7] Aliakbari is the first world class Iranian wrestler to pursue an MMA career.[7]
Early MMA career
In October 2015, Aliakbari made his professional MMA debut at Full Metal Dojo and defeated Hyung Chul-Lee via TKO in the first round. His second bout came two months later as he defeated Radu Spinghel via TKO in the first round.[8]
Rizin Fighting Federation
In early 2016, it was announced that Aliakbari had signed with the Japanese promotion Rizin Fighting Federation. He made his debut in September in the first round of the Openweight Grand Prix against Joao Isidoro Almeida. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. Aliakbari was scheduled to face former UFC champion Shane Carwin in the quarter-finals in December 2016. However, Carwin withdrew from the tournament and he instead faced Heath Herring. Aliakbari won the bout by unanimous decision. In the final stage of the tournament on December 31, Aliakbari faced Valentin Moldavsky. He won the fight via split decision.[9] He then faced Mirko Cro Cop in the finals on the same night and lost the fight via knockout.[10] He then defeated Geronimo dos Santos and Tyler King via TKO.[11]
Absolute Championship Berkut
In December 2017 Aliakbari announced his departure from Rizin and his joining of ACB. His first opponent was Denis Smoldarev, whom Aliakbari defeated via technical knockout at 2:27 of the first round on March 24, 2018. He was set to have four opponents in ACB.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
It was reported that Aliakbari was signed by the UFC on June 6, 2019 after he offered compensation to the ACA for early termination of his contract, where the compensation sum was donated to charity.[12] The UFC terminated the Agreement due to a doping ban handed down by the international amateur wrestling governing body, as well as US sanctions.[13]
ONE Championship
In August 2020 news broke that Aliakbari had signed with the ONE Championship.[14] He was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Islam Abasov at ONE Championship: Big Bang on December 4, 2020.[15] However, Abasov withdrew from the fight after being detained following a road incident in his native Russia.[16]
Aliakbari faced Kang Ji Won at ONE Championship: Fists of Fury 2 on March 5, 2021.[17] In a huge upset, Aliakbari lost to Kang by first-round knockout.[18]
Aliakbari faced Anatoly Malykhin at ONE Championship: Revolution on September 24, 2021.[19] He lost the bout, getting knocked unconscious again in the first round.[20]
Aliakbari faced Mauro Cerilli at ONE on Prime Video 1 on August 27, 2022.[21] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round, earning his first promotional victory.[22]
Aliakbari faced the former ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon Vera on December 3, 2022, at ONE 164.[23] He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[24]
Aliakbari faced Dustin Joynson on July 15, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 12.[25] He won the fight by first-round submission due to strikes.[26] The victory also earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.[27]
Aliakbari faced Arjan Bhullar on March 1, 2024, at ONE 166.[28] He won the fight via disqualification due to Bhullar's timidity in round three.[29]
Aliakbari faced Marcus Buchecha on November 9, 2024, at ONE 169.[30] He lost the fight via rear-naked choke in round one.[31]
On February 9, 2025, it was announced that Aliakbari was no longer with the promotion.[32]
Return to Absolute Championship Akhmat
On August 15, 2025, Aliakbari faced Salimgerey Rasulov at ACA 190. He won by technical knockout.
Aliakbari faced Tony Johnson at ACA 194 on October 23, 2025. He won by unanimous decision.
