Chechen MMA fighter Dzhihad Yunusov killed serving in Russia-Ukraine war

Dzhihad Yunusov, a Chechen professional MMA fighter who last competed in 2024, has reportedly been killed while fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine.

Yunusov (19-8) had enlisted in the Russian army in the weeks following a high-profile controversy in May 2026, when footage allegedly emerged of him assaulting two of his neighbours. According to reports, Yunusov threw coffee at an elderly woman and then attacked her daughter when she intervened. The dispute reportedly originated when Yunusov asked his neighbour to reposition a hallway security camera that he said was recording his door; she refused.

The fallout from the incident was swift. Yunusov was expelled from the Akhmat Fight Club, the Chechen MMA organisation owned by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, and shortly afterwards enlisted in the Russian military.

Initial reports had suggested Yunusov would serve away from active combat. However, he was reportedly sent to the front lines following a falling out with military leadership, and has since been reported dead.

Yunusov had been competing under the ACA banner and made his most recent appearance in 2024 before the events that ended his fighting career and ultimately led to his deployment.