Azamat Murzakanov has become the most successful light heavyweight in UFC history among fighters 179 cm or shorter, boasting a perfect 6-0 record. At 178 cm tall, he surpasses Frank Shamrock's previous best of 5-0 in the division. If Murzakanov fights for the title, he would be the first challenger under 180 cm to compete for the light heavyweight belt in 27 years. Other notable short light heavyweights include Ilir Latifi at 7-5 and William Knight at 3-2, both also standing 178 cm. Murzakanov faces Paulo Costa this Saturday at UFC 327.
Azamat Murzakanov has quietly rewritten light heavyweight history, and he did it standing just 178 centimeters tall. The Russian contender has gone 6-0 inside the UFC's 205-pound division, making him the most successful light heavyweight in promotional history among fighters standing 179 centimeters or shorter — surpassing Frank Shamrock's previous benchmark of 5-0 in the weight class. Murzakanov's next opportunity to extend that mark comes at UFC 327 on April 11, where he meets Paulo Costa.
Murzakanov, 37, carries an overall professional record of 16-1 and is ranked 12th in the light heavyweight division. Fighting out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe as a southpaw, he lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy — numbers that underscore why his nickname, "The Professional," fits. Should he earn a title shot, he would become the first light heavyweight challenger under 180 centimeters to compete for the belt in 27 years.
Costa, 35, steps up from middleweight for this contest. The Brazilian known as "The Eraser" owns a record of 16-4 and carries one of the more eye-catching striking profiles in the sport, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. He stands 185 centimeters tall with a 183-centimeter reach, giving him a meaningful size advantage over his opponent. Costa is ranked 13th at middleweight and competes out of Team Borracha.
Why it matters
- A Murzakanov win at UFC 327 would push his UFC light heavyweight record to 7-0, extending a historic mark for shorter fighters in the division.
- His ranked position at 12th means a strong performance could push him firmly into title contention territory.
- The size and style contrast is stark — Costa's high-volume, high-accuracy striking against a fellow aggressive finisher who has thrived despite a reach of just 180 centimeters.
- Fellow 178-centimeter light heavyweight William Knight (11-5 overall, 3-2 in the UFC) shows the division's short fighters can find footing, but none have matched Murzakanov's unbeaten UFC run.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
