Umar Dzambekov Delivers Ruthless KO Win Over Artem Brusov, Eyes Bigger Stage in 2026

After a brief stumble in momentum, rising light heavyweight prospect Umar Dzambekov returned to form with a dominant second-round knockout over fellow Russian Artem Brusov at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez on Friday night.

Dzambekov, a Russian-born Austrian now fighting out of the United States, had been on a tear with back-to-back first-round finishes before a tougher-than-expected test against Colombian veteran Roamer Alexis Angulo four months ago. Angulo, a seasoned gatekeeper who had only previously been stopped by David Benavidez, pushed Dzambekov to eight rounds and raised questions about the 27-year-old’s readiness for the top tier. But on Friday night, Dzambekov silenced any doubts.

Facing Brusov, who had been inactive for over two years, Dzambekov wasted little time. After a calculated opening round, he detonated a powerful left hand early in the second to score the emphatic finish—his third KO in four recent bouts.

“It was part of the game plan, just a matter of time before the left hand landed—and it worked perfectly,” Dzambekov told UFC Fight Pass in his post-fight interview. “Oh my goodness, electrifying fight from start to finish.”

Now riding high again, Dzambekov acknowledged the growing importance of staying active both in the ring and online.

“Of course, I was ready to go 10 rounds if needed, but I always aim for the finish,” he said. “Nowadays, it’s not just about the win—you need to go viral, be seen, be popular.”

He credited his team and longtime promoter Tom Loeffler for guiding his next moves, saying he’s ready to fight whenever called upon.

“I’m staying in shape, staying ready. I’m learning and getting better every day,” he added. “Looking ahead to 2026, I think it’s just a matter of time before people recognize me as the real deal.”