Azamat Murzakanov
The Professional
Russia
Suffers first pro defeat
Murzakanov lost to Paulo Costa via TKO (punches) at 1:23 of Round 3 at UFC 327 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
It was a win Murzakanov had to have at age 37 and entering as a -250 favorite. He struggled throughout Round 1, unable to find the range and absorbing too many body kicks, but turned it around in Round 2 to the point he was a massive favorite entering Round 3 on the live markets. Then everything changed. Costa came out aggressively and Murzakanov wilted. It sure appeared as if a high kick from Costa damaged his left arm and after another 30-plus seconds of fighting, he went down for good. Murzakanov is super aggressive. He has real power, but his grappling game is lacking, as is his cardio. It's not a great combination when you take his advanced age into account. Murzakanov needs to find a win his next time out by any means necessary.
It was a win Murzakanov had to have at age 37 and entering as a -250 favorite. He struggled throughout Round 1, unable to find the range and absorbing too many body kicks, but turned it around in Round 2 to the point he was a massive favorite entering Round 3 on the live markets. Then everything changed. Costa came out aggressively and Murzakanov wilted. It sure appeared as if a high kick from Costa damaged his left arm and after another 30-plus seconds of fighting, he went down for good. Murzakanov is super aggressive. He has real power, but his grappling game is lacking, as is his cardio. It's not a great combination when you take his advanced age into account. Murzakanov needs to find a win his next time out by any means necessary.
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Costa up next
Murzakanov will fight Paulo Costa at UFC 327 on April 11, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Murzakanov took down Aleksandar Rakic in October to preserve his perfect record, improving to 16-0 as a professional fighter and 6-0 since making his UFC debut in 2022. He'll receive his next test in the form of Costa, who has lost two of his last three fights.
Murzakanov took down Aleksandar Rakic in October to preserve his perfect record, improving to 16-0 as a professional fighter and 6-0 since making his UFC debut in 2022. He'll receive his next test in the form of Costa, who has lost two of his last three fights.
Continues rise up rankings
Murzakanov defeated Aleksandar Rakic via TKO (punches) at 3:11 of Round 1 at UFC 321 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Murzakanov continues to roll through everyone put in front of him, doing so in impressive fashion. He was actually a slight (+105) underdog for this fight against Rakic at close. The two fought to even terms early on, at which point Murzakanov connected with a short right jab. It didn't seem to be thrown all that hard, but it landed flush, dropping Rakic on the spot. Murzakanov immediately followed up and earned the stoppage. His power is clearly massive if he's dropping a big tree like Rakic with jabs. Murzakanov is a perfect 5-0 in the UFC, with four of those wins coming via knockout. He's closing in on title-implicating fights at 205 pounds.
Murzakanov continues to roll through everyone put in front of him, doing so in impressive fashion. He was actually a slight (+105) underdog for this fight against Rakic at close. The two fought to even terms early on, at which point Murzakanov connected with a short right jab. It didn't seem to be thrown all that hard, but it landed flush, dropping Rakic on the spot. Murzakanov immediately followed up and earned the stoppage. His power is clearly massive if he's dropping a big tree like Rakic with jabs. Murzakanov is a perfect 5-0 in the UFC, with four of those wins coming via knockout. He's closing in on title-implicating fights at 205 pounds.
Booked vs. Rakic
Murzakanov will face Aleksandar Rakic in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 25, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Murzakanov is off to an excellent start in the UFC, sitting at a perfect 5-0. Most recently, he took care of business against Brendson Ribeiro on June 7. He's won all but one of his fights in the promotion before decision. On the flip side, his opponent Rakic is coming off three straight losses and will be desperate for an upset win.
Murzakanov is off to an excellent start in the UFC, sitting at a perfect 5-0. Most recently, he took care of business against Brendson Ribeiro on June 7. He's won all but one of his fights in the promotion before decision. On the flip side, his opponent Rakic is coming off three straight losses and will be desperate for an upset win.
Remains perfect in UFC
Murzakanov defeated Brendson Ribeiro via TKO (punches) at 3:25 of Round 1 at UFC 316 on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey.
ANALYSIS
Murzakanov might look like any guy you may see in the bar or out walking the street, but the fact of the matter is he's ridiculously dangerous and an ever-rising threat in the light heavyweight division. He completely overwhelmed Ribeiro here, dropping him with a straight left before the latter was forced to tap due to unanswered strikes. Now a perfect 5-0 in the UFC with four knockout wins on his resume, the company should push Murzakanov significantly and immediately considering he turned 36 years of age in April.
Murzakanov might look like any guy you may see in the bar or out walking the street, but the fact of the matter is he's ridiculously dangerous and an ever-rising threat in the light heavyweight division. He completely overwhelmed Ribeiro here, dropping him with a straight left before the latter was forced to tap due to unanswered strikes. Now a perfect 5-0 in the UFC with four knockout wins on his resume, the company should push Murzakanov significantly and immediately considering he turned 36 years of age in April.
New fighter scheduled
Murzakanov is srt to face Brendson Ribeiro in a light heavyweight fight at UFC 316 on June 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Murzakanov, after completing his suspension, was set to face Johnny Walker prior to getting shifted around and getting a new challenger. The Professional last fought in August 2024, where he defeated Alonzo Menifield via KO. He will now face Brendon Ribeiro, who is coming off a victory over Diyar Nurgozhay via submission.
Murzakanov, after completing his suspension, was set to face Johnny Walker prior to getting shifted around and getting a new challenger. The Professional last fought in August 2024, where he defeated Alonzo Menifield via KO. He will now face Brendon Ribeiro, who is coming off a victory over Diyar Nurgozhay via submission.