Russian MMA Fighter Shot During New Years Eve Celebration
Rasul Mirzaev is one of the hottest MMA prospects out of Russia at the moment, with a professional MMA record of 17-1-0, which includes wins over UFC veterans Diego Nunes, Levan Makashvili and Masanori Kanehara, plus a win over Bellator MMA veteran Kevin Croom.
Mirzaev is now in stable condition in an unnamed hospital in Russia after he was shot three times and violently beaten by several assailants, the attack occurred in the stairwell of his apartment.
According to reports, Mirzaev was leaving to meet friends for a New Years Eve celebration, when the attackers jumped him, first shooting him three times (twice in the chest, once in the chin) with a “traumatic pistol,” then choking him with a chain and beating him with a baseball bat.
Moscow Police are currently investigating the incident, but with no official suspects at this time, nobody has been arrested. Besides the assault on Mirzaev, the assailants robbed Mirzaev’s apartment, mostly stealing jewelry and cash.
Mirzaev did have to undergo surgery to remove the three bullets from his chest and chin. The extent of the damage or if Mirzaev will return to the cage hasn’t been released to the media at this time.
Bloody Elbow is also reporting that rumors are spreading that the attack was a response to a fight that Mirzaev had at a Moscow night club a few weeks back, but nothing has been confirmed at this point in time. Artem Lobov, a UFC fighter himself, was with Mirzaev in the night when the supposed fight occurred, but he denies he had anything to do with the night club fight or the violent attack afterwards.
“Not true,” said Lobov. “I did meet [Mirzaev] in Russia, we got on really well he is a very nice guy. I am so shocked that this happened to him but nothing to do with me”
Mirzaev remains in stable condition, Fightful will provide any updates if there are any released by Mirzaev or the Moscow Police.
