Adlan Amagov signs with ACBJJ, books combat return after decade away

Former UFC and Strikeforce welterweight Adlan Amagov has signed with ACBJJ and will return to competitive combat sports after more than a decade away from the cage, according to multiple outlets citing the promotion and Russian combat media.

FightTime reported on November 5 that ACBJJ's press service confirmed the contract for the 40-year-old Russian. Bloody Elbow separately reported on November 4, citing Red Corner MMA, that Amagov had signed with the hybrid grappling and battle-match promotion and is expected to debut at an upcoming event. No fight date, opponent or format — standard BJJ, no-gi or ACBJJ battle rules — has been announced.

UFC and Strikeforce resume

Amagov went 2-0 in the UFC after the Strikeforce absorption, winning a decision over Chris Spang and knocking out TJ Waldburger. Earlier in Strikeforce he stopped Anthony Smith but was finished by Robbie Lawler. His last professional bout was an August 2016 armbar win over Dirley Broenstrap at Platform S-70 in Sochi, after which he stepped away from MMA.

He leaves the sport with a reputation as a hard-hitting welterweight — eight of his 14 pro wins came by knockout — and later as a Unifight world champion. Reports at the time of his exit cited family priorities and the strain of cutting weight as reasons he left at 27.

Jones sparring lore and why ACBJJ fits

Amagov re-entered wider English-language coverage in 2025 when Jon Jones confirmed a long-circulating sparring story: that Amagov had dropped him with a body kick in Albuquerque early in Jones's career. Carlos Condit had previously publicized the anecdote. That history is color around the signing, not part of the ACBJJ deal itself.

ACBJJ stages Brazilian jiu-jitsu and hybrid "battle" matches that allow restricted striking under the league's published rules. The same promotion already has Edson Barboza facing Rashid Magomedov in an 80 kg battle match at ACBJJ 23 in Rio on November 13 — another 40-year-old former UFC name using the league as a post-octagon stage. FightTime earlier floated a possible Amagov rematch with Lawler as speculation; nothing in the November announcements names an opponent.

What is confirmed vs. open

Confirmed across FightTime's ACBJJ press-service report and Bloody Elbow's Red Corner MMA sourcing: Amagov has signed with ACBJJ and plans a competitive return after not fighting since 2016. Still open: debut card, weight class, match type and opponent. Until ACBJJ or Amagov posts those details, the story is a contract signing — not a booked fight.