Diana Avsaragova

Diana Avsaragova (Russian: Диана Авсарагова; born August 7, 1998, in Ardon, North Ossetia-Alania) is a Russian mixed martial artist of Ossetian ethnicity who competes in the Women's Flyweight division of the Bellator MMA.^[2]

Diana was born on August 7, 1998, in Ardon, North Ossetia. Her father was a wrestler, but ended his career early due to a knee injury. Her mother also wanted to go into sports, but her family did not allow her to do so, so when Diana grew up, her mother herself suggested that she take up wrestling. In subsequent years, Avsaragova repeatedly performed at the championships of Moscow (8 times she became the first) and the country, in the division up to 63 kg and below, moreover, both in the junior category and in the adult category. She was even taken to Canada, where the athlete also became a champion. Having given 7 years of her life to wrestling, Diana reached the level of a master of sports, but in the end she realized that this type of martial arts had become boring for her. She trained both in North Ossetia and in Moscow. In the capital, she spent five years in a special boarding house for fighters, and then returned home.^{[3][4][5][6][7]}

In 2014 and 2015, Diana became the bronze medalist of the Russian championship in freestyle wrestling among girls in the category up to 60 kg.^[8][9]

At the Emir Fighting Championship tournament, which took place in December 2017, Jojua fought for the championship belt, and she managed to agree with the organizers to include Avsaragova in the card - everyone was satisfied. The former participant of the wrestling battles was also matched with a debutante, Alina Makarova, who lasted less than two minutes, falling into the armbar. It seemed that such a bright performance promises Diana a bright future, but she soon suffered a knee injury and dropped out of competitive sports until 2019.^{[2][10][11][6][7]}

After rehabilitation and preparation, Diana performed at the Titan Global Championship, against Anna Lurchenkova, with whom they had a full three-round duel. Having won another victory, the native of Nart got a manager who began to look for interesting offers for her. Some Russian leagues, as well as Invicta FC, considered Avsaragova's candidacy, but due to the pandemic, her next fights were canceled one after another. While training at home and watching what was happening in the world of mixed martial arts, the athlete received a call from her representative who asked if she wanted to fight in Bellator? The answer was yes.^{[2][10][11][6][7]}

In December 2019, she signed a 6-fight contract with Bellator MMA.^[12]

In her Bellator debut at Bellator 256 on April 9, 2021, Avsaragova defeated Tara Graff in 29-seconds via knockout.^[10][13]

Avsaragova faced Gabriella Gulfin on July 16, 2021, at Bellator 262.^[14] She won the bout via split decision.^[15] 4 out of 4 media scores gave it to Diana.^[16]

Avsaragova was scheduled to face Ashley Deen on March 12, 2022, at Bellator 276.^[17] The week of the event, Deen tested positive for COVID-19 and was replaced by Kyra Batara.^[18] Avsaragova won the bout via unanimous decision.^[19]

Avsaragova faced Alejandra Lara on February 4, 2023, at Bellator 290.^[20] At the weigh-ins, Avsaragova missed weight for her bout, coming in at 128.8 pounds, 2.8 pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Avsaragova was fined 25% of her purse which went to Lara.^[21] Avsaragova won the close bout via split decision.^[22] 5 out of 7 media scores gave it to Lara.^[23]

Avsaragova faced Justine Kish on August 11, 2023, at Bellator 298.^[24] At weigh-ins, Avsaragova weighed in at 127.2 pounds, 1.2 pounds over the Flyweight non-title limit. Due to this, the bout proceeded at catchweight and she was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to Kish.^[25] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.^[26]

Diana has younger sister, Fatima Avsaragova.^[27] The elder Avsaragova treated Fatima a trip to Dubai as birthday present for her. The origin of the name Fatima is Arabic, which is named after Fatima al-Zahra the only surviving child of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).^[28]

She has an older brother named Davud, who also acts as her cornerman during her fights for Bellator organization.^[29]

Avsaragova is currently learning how to speak English.^[30]

Diana is friends with former UFC fighter Liana Jojua, who is also her main training partner.^[31]

Sometime in 2023, she married ARB combatant and current MMA fighter Elbrus Maliev.^[32] After marrying Maliev, Diana started to wear a traditional headscarf per Muslim-Ossetian tradition in her public appearances in her personal social media.^[32]

• Freestyle wrestling
  • 2015 Russian cadet nationals 2015 – 3rd (60 kg)^[33]

^[34]

• List of current Bellator fighters
• List of female mixed martial artists

• Diana Avsaragova at Bellator
• Professional MMA record for Diana Avsaragova from Sherdog