Azamat Murzakanov, standing 178 cm tall, has achieved a perfect 6-0 record in the UFC light heavyweight division, making him the most successful fighter under 180 cm in the division's history. He surpasses Frank Shamrock's previous best of 5-0 among shorter light heavyweights. If Murzakanov reaches a title fight, he would be the first challenger under 180 cm to compete for the light heavyweight belt in 27 years. The post includes a comprehensive list of all UFC light heavyweights 179 cm or shorter and their records. Murzakanov faces Paulo Costa at UFC 327 this Saturday.
Azamat Murzakanov has quietly built one of the more remarkable runs in UFC light heavyweight history, and a statistical milestone now puts that achievement in sharp relief ahead of his UFC 327 bout against Paulo Costa on April 11.
Standing 178 cm tall, Murzakanov has gone 6-0 inside the UFC's 205-pound division, making him the most successful light heavyweight under 180 cm in the promotion's history. That mark surpasses the previous benchmark of 5-0 set by Frank Shamrock, who stood the same height at 178 cm and compiled his record during the UFC's early era. Should Murzakanov eventually fight for the title, he would become the first light heavyweight championship challenger under 180 cm in 27 years.
Murzakanov, 37, represents Russia and trains out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe. His overall professional record stands at 16-1-0, and he currently sits ranked 12th in the UFC light heavyweight division. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, he lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate, while also mixing in 0.55 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Standing across from him at UFC 327 will be Paulo Costa, the Brazilian ranked 13th in the middleweight division who is stepping up to light heavyweight for this contest. At 185 cm with a 183 cm reach, Costa carries a noticeable size advantage. The 35-year-old, nicknamed "The Eraser," holds a 16-4-0 record and is one of the higher-volume strikers in the sport, averaging 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Murzakanov's 6-0 UFC run at under 180 cm sets a new divisional record for shorter light heavyweights
- A win would push him further up the rankings and closer to a potential title shot that would itself be historically significant
- The size disparity between the two fighters makes this a compelling stylistic test for Murzakanov's championship case
Saturday, April 11, 2026
