IBA NOMAD 16 made history in Tashkent on 17 October as the series staged its first event in Uzbekistan, with Murad Khalidov (RUS) defeating Bekzhan Bakirov (KAZ) for the second time to retain his heavyweight title and Ernar Khusainov (KAZ) claiming the featherweight championship with a hard-fought victory over Valeriy Osobov (RUS).

The arrival of the NOMAD series in Uzbekistan carried particular significance. The country is one of the world’s leading boxing nations, and Tashkent previously hosted the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in 2023. IBA NOMAD 16 brought 16 bouts to Humo Arena, featuring athletes from across Central Asia and beyond, with a main card headlined by two championship contests and marked by a series of early stoppages.

“Bringing IBA NOMAD to Uzbekistan for the first time was an important milestone for the series. This is a country with an exceptional boxing tradition and some of the most passionate fans in the sport, and the atmosphere at Humo Arena reflected that from the first bout to the last.

“Congratulations to Murad Khalidov on another commanding title defence and to Ernar Khusainov on becoming the IBA NOMAD featherweight champion. Both championship contests showed the quality and intensity that define this series, and we look forward to building on this success in Uzbekistan and across Central Asia,” IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE said.

Khalidov overcomes Bakirov in heavyweight rematch

The main event brought together two familiar rivals, with Khalidov defending his heavyweight championship against Bakirov in a rematch.

Both men started aggressively, trading heavy punches from the opening bell. With neither willing to concede ground, the bout quickly developed into a physical battle between two powerful heavyweights.

Khalidov gradually gained the upper hand, landing the cleaner and more damaging shots. Bakirov absorbed considerable punishment before eventually being unable to continue, giving Khalidov another victory over his Kazakh rival and allowing the Russian to retain his title.

Khusainov claims featherweight title after five-round battle

The co-main event saw Khusainov and Osobov contest the IBA NOMAD featherweight championship in an intense encounter between two southpaws.

Both athletes maintained a high work rate throughout the five rounds, repeatedly testing each other’s durability in close-range exchanges. As the contest progressed, Khusainov began to increase the pace and establish greater control.

The Kazakh boxer also scored a knockdown in the second half of the bout, strengthening his position on the scorecards. After five demanding rounds, Khusainov was awarded the victory on points to become the IBA NOMAD featherweight champion.

Akparhodjaev defeats former UFC athlete Zhumagulov

One of the evening’s most notable results came in the featherweight division, where Asror Akparhodjaev (TJK) defeated Zhalgas Zhumagulov (KAZ), who previously competed in the UFC, on points.

Akparhodjaev used his speed and movement to control much of the contest, making it difficult for the experienced Zhumagulov to establish his preferred rhythm.

The Kazakh veteran attempted to close the distance and occasionally resorted to takedown attempts, which are prohibited under the competition’s rules. Akparhodjaev maintained his composure, consistently getting the better of the exchanges to secure a decision victory.

Ziyaev and Ergashev win on points, three stoppages complete main card

Iskandar Ziyaev (RUS) and Torgynbek Amirov (KAZ) produced one of the most technically accomplished bouts of the evening, with momentum shifting repeatedly across three fast-paced rounds before Ziyaev earned a split decision. Shohjahon Ergashev (UZB), a former IBF world title challenger in professional boxing, also went the distance, using his superior distance management to outpoint experienced bare-knuckle competitor Dastan Beken (KAZ) by unanimous decision in front of his home crowd.

The other main-card bouts all ended inside the distance. Muratbek Kasymbai (KAZ), known as the ‘Kazakh Terminator’, marked his return with three knockdowns before Zalimkhan Iusupov (RUS) was unable to continue, while Mukhiddin Mamajonov (UZB) overcame a cut to knock out Shodruz Davlatov (TJK) with a crushing left hand to the liver in the second round. In the opening bout of the main card, Marsel Nurlanbek Uulu (KGZ) dropped Samandar Reimbaev (UZB) twice in the first round before finishing him by technical knockout early in the second.

IBA NOMAD 16 concluded with Khalidov successfully defending his heavyweight championship and Khusainov capturing the featherweight belt, while the main card delivered a mix of closely contested decisions and emphatic stoppages in the series’ first visit to Uzbekistan.

IBA NOMAD 16 Full Results 

Title fights

1. Murad Khalidov (RUS) def. Bekzhan Bakirov (KAZ) — TKO, heavyweight title.

2. Ernar Khusainov (KAZ) def. Valeriy Osobov (RUS) — decision, featherweight title.

Main card

3. Shohjahon Ergashev (UZB) def. Dastan Beken (KAZ) — unanimous decision, lightweight.

4. Iskandar Ziyaev (RUS) def. Torgynbek Amirov (KAZ) — split decision, featherweight.

5. Asror Akparhodjaev (TJK) def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (KAZ) — decision, featherweight.

6. Muratbek Kasymbai (KAZ) def. Zalimkhan Iusupov (RUS) — TKO, round 3, welterweight.

7. Mukhiddin Mamajonov (UZB) def. Shodruz Davlatov (TJK) — KO, round 2, welterweight.

8. Marsel Nurlanbek Uulu (KGZ) def. Samandar Reimbaev (UZB) — TKO, round 2, lightweight.

Preliminary card

9. Adilet Aitzhanov (KAZ) def. Ogabek Abdumuminov (UZB) — disqualification, round 1, lightweight.

10. Shukurjon Abduraximov (UZB) def. Kanat Kulmagambetov (KAZ) — decision, welterweight.

11. Tazabek Bayanov (KAZ) def. Bobur Abdulazizov (UZB) — decision, welterweight.

12. Islom Baltayev (UZB) def. Azamat Bakytov (KAZ) — KO, round 1, middleweight.

13. Ulan Nurgali (KAZ) def. Bekmurod Tursunboev (UZB) — KO, round 1, lightweight.

14. Nurzhan Serikbaev (KAZ) def. Vladimir Sarukhanyan (RUS) — decision, featherweight.

15. Akzhol Zholdasbaev (KAZ) def. Lochin Omilov (UZB) — TKO, round 2 (retirement), welterweight.

16. Vahe Sarukhanyan (RUS) def. Temur Abdurakhmanov (UZB) — unanimous decision, lightweight.