Azamat Murzakanov has compiled a 6-0 record in the UFC light heavyweight division, making him the most successful fighter 179cm tall or shorter in the weight class. At 178cm, he shares his height with UFC legend Frank Shamrock, who went 5-0, and surpasses all other shorter light heavyweights in UFC history. If Murzakanov fights for a title, he would be the first sub-180cm challenger in the division in 27 years. He faces Paulo Costa at UFC 327 this Saturday in a matchup that could position him for title contention.
Azamat Murzakanov has quietly built the most impressive UFC light heavyweight record among fighters standing 179 centimetres or shorter, and a win at UFC 327 on April 11 could push him into title contention.
Murzakanov, 37, stands five-foot-ten — 178 centimetres — and carries a 16-1-0 professional record into his matchup with Paulo Costa. The Russian southpaw out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe has gone a perfect 6-0 inside the UFC's 205-pound division, where he currently sits ranked 12th. He lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy and adds 0.55 takedowns per 15 minutes, suggesting a well-rounded offensive approach. That unblemished UFC run makes him the most successful sub-180cm fighter the light heavyweight division has ever seen, edging past the legacy of UFC legend Frank Shamrock, who shares the same 178-centimetre frame and went 5-0 in the promotion. Should Murzakanov earn a title shot, he would become the first challenger under 180 centimetres to contest the light heavyweight championship in 27 years.
Standing across the cage will be Paulo Costa, nicknamed "The Eraser," a 35-year-old Brazilian who is competing up from middleweight. Costa holds a 16-4-0 record and is ranked 13th in the middleweight division. He is listed at 185 centimetres with a 183-centimetre reach and is one of the more prolific strikers in the sport, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — numbers that represent a meaningful volume and precision edge on the feet.
Why it matters
- A Murzakanov victory would extend the UFC's most successful sub-180cm light heavyweight run to 7-0 and strengthen his case for a top-ten ranking.
- Costa moving up to light heavyweight adds divisional intrigue, potentially shaking up rankings at 205 pounds depending on the result.
- The striking styles set up an compelling contrast: Costa's higher volume output against Murzakanov's more measured but accurate southpaw attack.
- A title shot for Murzakanov would mark a historically rare moment for shorter fighters in a division long dominated by taller athletes.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
