18–0 MMA champ shot five times in brutal street attack

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Mathew Riddle | Last updated Jul 16, 2025 7:53 AM ET

BAZA

An 18-0 PFL world champion has been shot five times in an aggravated incident in Makhachkala.

Timur 'Imam' Khizriev, who won the PFL 2024 world championships opposite Brendan Loughrane, was caught on video being assaulted by two men in masks in a residential area in Makhachkala, Dagestan.

Khizriev was 'shot five times' with rubber bullets, and remains in care at the hospital. Footage reshared by VestnikMMA on X shows the incident, where two men jumped Khizriev in a residential parking area. The featherweight fighter managed to secure a takedown on one of the attackers.

Footage of PFL champion Timur Khizriev shot five times with rubber bullets

В Махачкале расстреляли чемпиона PFL Тимура Хизриева (18-0).

Двое в масках подкараулили Тимура во дворе жилого дома на улице Даниялова. Когда он вышел из гелендвагена, нападавшие открыли стрельбу. В спортсмена попали 5 пуль от травмата пистолета. Хизриев в операционной, жив. pic.twitter.com/KnUN4NYRKX
— Вестник ММА (@VestnikMMA) July 15, 2025

The Caucasian Knot reported that the attack took place on July 15 on Daniyalov Street, in Makhachkala. Footage posted to the Mash Gor Telegram channel claimed, "Masked people waited for [Khizriev] in the yard and opened fire. He tried to run away, but could not."

Further reports state that Khizriev was shot five times with a traumatic pistol, designed to fire non-lethal ammunition. According to Gazeta.ru, Khizriev suffered injuries to the shoulder, hand, and chest and remains in a stable condition.

29-year-old Khizriev hasn't fought since November 2024. The motives behind the attack are unknown, and the story is still developing.

This article first appeared on MMA on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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