An unbeaten PFL champion was rushed to hospital after fighting off masked gunman who shot him five times in a brutal attack.
In a frightening and brutal attack, undefeated MMA fighter Timur Khizriev appears to have been shot five times by gunman in Dagestan, Russia on Tuesday evening.
Khizriev has been on an impressive run throughout his MMA career, boasting a decade of experience in the sport that culminated in him claiming the PFL featherweight world title with a win over Brendan Loughnane in November.
Video footage of the alleged attack appears to show the 29-year-old casually leaving his car when two masked men sprint towards him and immediately open fire.
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It is not yet known exactly what condition Khizriev is currently in, but reports have claimed that, while his life is not believed to be in danger, he remains under medical care.
The footage shows the two criminals approached Khizriev before the first one fires a shot which appears to hit the unknowing MMA champion.
Despite being shot, the PFL star is able to react quickly, turning and securing a takedown on the first masked man while the other fired more several more shots.
Amid all the chaos, Khizriev was able to escape and flee the scene, with the video showing him jumping over parked cars to get away from the criminals.
Thankfully, according to an MMA Newspaper in Russia, via MMAWeekly, Khizriev is still alive.
"In Makhachkala, PFL champion Timur Khizriev was shot," the post claimed.
"Two masked men ambushed Timur in the courtyard of a residential building on Daniyalov Street.
"When he got out of the [vehicle], the attackers opened fire. The athlete was hit by 5 bullets from a traumatic pistol. Khizriev is in surgery, alive."
Other local reports have claimed that the pistol used was a non-lethal weapon designed to fire rubber bullets, leaving further questions about the reason for the attack.
The two suspects seen in the video fled the scene shortly after the attack and, as of 16 July, no arrests have been made.
Before the attack it was expected that Khizriev would defend his PFL featherweight title during the ongoing 2025 season, but it's unclear how the alleged attack could impact plans.
Ben McCrum