Ismail Naurdiev's UFC career transformed by support from King Mohammed VI

UFC middleweight Ismail Naurdiev says his career, and his life, have been transformed thanks to unexpected support from King Mohammed VI, following his naturalisation as a Moroccan citizen in 2024.

Naurdiev, who spent years competing without bonuses or sponsorship, explained that he now receives full backing from the Moroccan monarch, allowing him to train and perform without financial strain. «I used to fight just to pay my rent. Now everything is taken care of, from training camps to my team’s costs». he told Home of Fights. «I fight with honor, and Morocco gives me the opportunity to do so».

?? ? Ismail Naurdiev reveals he no longer worries about money after moving to Morocco because the king is supporting him now:

"Since I moved to Morocco, everything changed for the better.

Before, when I was fighting, I was basically just fighting to survive. I’d get paid, then… pic.twitter.com/WizvBTHb7w

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 2, 2025

Born in Grozny, Russia, and raised in Austria, Naurdiev and his brother were granted Moroccan citizenship through royal decrees published in the Official Bulletin on November 3, 2024.

Under Moroccan law, citizenship can be obtained through descent, naturalisation, marriage, or declaration. In exceptional circumstances, however, the sovereign may grant citizenship by royal decree, an option applied in the case of the Naurdiev brothers.