2023 was a landmark year for NAIZA: the league held eight major tournaments, expanded the roster of fighters and strengthened the position of champions in different weight categories. Some titled athletes managed to defend their belts, and among the new champions there were such names as Dias Erengaipov (NAIZA 50), Dauren Ermekov (NAIZA 52), Nurbek Kabdrakhmanov (NAIZA 55) and Dastan Amangeldy (NAIZA 56).

The league went international by holding tournaments outside of Kazakhstan: NAIZA 53 was held in Kyrgyzstan and NAIZA 54 in Uzbekistan. These events not only attracted the attention of foreign fans, but also emphasized the status of NAIZA as one of the leading MMA promotions in the region.

The culmination of the Team Grand Prix was NAIZA 49, where “TOBET” Top Team and “DAR” Team met in the finals. In a tense battle, the fate of the champion’s title was decided in the last fight, where Akan Kөshen defeated Timur Serikuly, bringing his team the long-awaited triumph.

One of the brightest events of the year was the tournament NAIZA 52, held in cooperation with the Russian league URAL FC. This evening was remembered by spectators with spectacular fights and big names, including Dauren Ermekov and Әlibi Idiris.

The fight of Galym Zhaslanov against the legendary Vyacheslav Datsik caused a loud resonance. The Russian fighter, known for his powerful punches and aggressive fighting style, was considered a clear favorite. However, the Kazakhstani athlete overturned all expectations, demonstrating tactical superiority and winning a convincing victory by judges’ decision.

A real gem of the season was a duel Kazbek Sagyn and Bagdat Zhubanysh. In the octagon met two titled fighters – three-time world champion in amateur MMA and three-time world champion in hand-to-hand combat. In this uncompromising confrontation the stronger was Kazbek Sagyn, who added another high-profile victory to his collection.

One of the key steps in the development of NAIZA was the signing of a contract with the TV channel SPORT + QAZAQSTAN, which allowed millions of viewers in Kazakhstan to watch the league tournaments live.

The growth of NAIZA’s popularity went beyond the country’s borders – fighters from the United States, Brazil and other countries began to compete in the league. In 2023, several former UFC fighters entered the NAIZA arena, further raising the promotion’s status on the world stage.

On social media, NAIZA also set records: in 2023, the league’s official Instagram account attracted 130,000 new followers and publications garnered 390 million views. NAIZA finished the year in 17th place in the Fight Matrix rankings, firmly establishing itself among the top MMA promotions in the world.