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]
Background
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]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
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]
Bellator MMA
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]
Personal life
Avsaragova is currently learning how to speak English.[27]
Diana is good friends with former UFC fighter Liana Jojua, who is also her main training partner.[28]
Championships and achievements
- Freestyle wrestling
- 2015 Russian cadet nationals 2015 – 3rd (60 kg)[29]
Mixed martial arts record
7 matches | 6 wins | 1 loss |
By knockout | 1 | 0 |
By submission | 1 | 0 |
By decision | 4 | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 6–1 | Justine Kish | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 298 | August 11, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States | Catchweight (127.2 lb) bout; Avsaragova missed weight. |
Win | 6–0 | Alejandra Lara | Decision (split) | Bellator 290 | February 4, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | Catchweight (128.8 lb) bout; Avsaragova missed weight. |
Win | 5–0 | Kyra Batara | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 276 | March 12, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |
Win | 4–0 | Gabriella Gulfin | Decision (split) | Bellator 262 | July 16, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
Win | 3–0 | Tara Graff | KO (punches) | Bellator 256 | April 9, 2021 | 1 | 0:29 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Flyweight debut. |
Win | 2–0 | Ania Lurchenkova | Decision (unanimous) | Titan Global Championship | May 4, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Tbilisi, Georgia | |
Win | 1–0 | Alina Makarova | Submission (armbar) | Emir FC: Selection 1 | December 29, 2017 | 1 | 1:57 | Moscow, Russia | Bantamweight debut. |
[30]
See also
References
- ^ "Осетинская спортсменка по смешанным единоборствам Диана Авсарагова готовится к очередному бою". news-r.ru. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Unbeaten Russian prospect Diana Avsaragova tipped for Bellator debut against Loureda victim Tara Graff". www.azerbaycan24.com. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ Дёмин, Роман. "А так можно было?! Красотка из Осетии покорила мир единоборств! Видео". www.championat.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-03-18.
- ^ "«Мама хочет, чтобы я этим занималась». Красотка из «Ахмата» — об отношении семьи к боям, обещании Хабиба и поясе - 16 февраля 2022 - Sport24". sport24.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-03-18.
- ^ "Диана Авсарагова биография, следующий бой, с кем дерется Диана Авсарагова". mma.metaratings.ru (in Russian). 2022-12-03. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
- ^ a b c "Диана Авсарагова (Diana Avsaragova): биография и лучшие бои россиянки из Bellator - MMAExpress". mma.express. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ a b c "Диана Авсарагова". 24SMI (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ "Определились победительницы первенства России среди девушек 1997-1999 г.р." Федерация спортивной борьбы России. 2014-03-23. Archived from the original on 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ^ "Определились победители второго дня первенства России среди девушек". Федерация спортивной борьбы России. 2015-04-17. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
- ^ a b c Bellator 256: Diana Avsaragova scorches in debut with 29-second knockout USA Today, Danny Segura, April 2021
- ^ a b "Девушка дня. Диана Авсарагова — боевая красотка из клуба "Ахмат" по прозвищу "Пантера"". Советский спорт (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-03-18.
- ^ "Диана Авсарагова подписала контракт с Bellator". sport-express.ru (in Russian). 2019-12-25. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
- ^ Bellator 256 video: Diana Avsaragova brutally knocks out Tara Graff in 29 seconds Steven Marrocco, April 9, 2021
- ^ "Rising Russian flyweight Diana Avsaragova targeted to return at Bellator 262". MMA Junkie. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ^ "Bellator 262 results: Russian prospect Diana Avsaragova stays unbeaten with split decision". MMA Junkie. 2021-07-17. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
- ^ "Diana Avsaragova def. Gabriella Gulfin :: Bellator 262 :: MMA Decisions". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ Heck, Mike (2022-02-15). "Cat Zingano vs. Pam Sorenson, John Salter vs. Johnny Eblen among additions to Bellator 276 lineup". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
- ^ Riggs, Drake (2022-03-08). "Diana Avsaragova gets new opponent mid-Bellator 276 fight week". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
- ^ Брагин, Игорь. "Миролюбивая красавица из России. Пантера максимально аккуратно победила американку. Видео". www.championat.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-03-13.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-12-13). "Alejandra Lara vs. Diana Avsaragova Added to Bellator 290". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
- ^ "Bellator 290 weigh-in results: Entire main card set; only one big miss". MMA Junkie. 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ "Diana Avsaragova Scores Split Decision Over Alejandra Lara, Remains Undefeated - Bellator 290 Results (Highlights)". MiddleEasy. 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ "Diana Avsaragova def. Alejandra Lara :: Bellator 290 :: MMA Decisions". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-06-22). "Leandro Higo vs. Nikita Mikhailov, Diana Avsaragova vs. Justine Kish Among Fights Added to Bellator 298". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
- ^ "Bellator 298 weigh-ins results: One fighter misses mark in Sioux Falls". MMA Junkie. 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 298 'Storley vs. Ward' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
- ^ Кожевников, Александр. "Диана Авсарагова: никогда не думала о феминизме. Мужчина от природы главный". championat.com.
- ^ "«На улице я дралась только с парнями». Диана Авсарагова — о дебюте в Bellator, тренировках в «Ахмате» и дружбе с Джоджуа". mma.metaratings.ru (in Russian). 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "Определились победители второго дня первенства России среди девушек". wrestrus.ru. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Diana Avsaragova". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-07.