The 36-year-old is from Russia and lives in Montreal, Canada, where he’s competed for most of his pro career. Makhmudov debuted in 2017 and ran off 18 straight victories, including stoppages of Jonathan Rice (TKO7), a long-faded Samuel Peter (TKO1), Mariusz Wach (KO6), Carlos Takam (UD10) and the previously unbeaten Raphael Akpejiori (TKO2).