Azamat Murzakanov, standing 178 cm tall, holds a perfect 6-0 record in the UFC light heavyweight division, making him the most successful fighter under 180 cm in the weight class history. The post provides a comprehensive breakdown of the shortest light heavyweights in UFC history, noting that fighters of similar height have historically struggled at 205 pounds. If Murzakanov challenges for the title, he would be the first fighter under 180 cm to compete for the light heavyweight belt in 27 years. Other notable short light heavyweights include Frank Shamrock (178 cm, 5-0) and Ilir Latifi (178 cm, 7-5). Murzakanov faces Paulo Costa this Saturday at UFC 327.
Azamat Murzakanov has quietly built the most successful record in UFC light heavyweight history for a fighter standing under 180 cm, and the Russian contender will put that perfect divisional ledger on the line against Paulo Costa at UFC 327 on April 11.
Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," enters the bout at 16-1-0 overall and a flawless 6-0 inside the UFC's 205-pound division. The 37-year-old southpaw out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe stands five-foot-ten, or 178 cm, with a 71-inch reach. He lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy and adds 0.55 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a well-rounded threat profile. Ranked 12th in the light heavyweight division, he sits within range of the title picture, and should he ever challenge for the belt, he would become the first sub-180 cm fighter to compete for the light heavyweight championship in 27 years — a distinction previously held in this dataset only by Frank Shamrock, who went 5-0 at the same height. Ilir Latifi, another 178 cm light heavyweight, compiled a 7-5 UFC record, underscoring how rare Murzakanov's sustained success has been at that stature.
Standing in his way is Paulo Costa, "The Eraser," a 35-year-old Brazilian ranked 13th in the middleweight division who is stepping up to light heavyweight for this contest. Costa carries a 16-4-0 record and possesses some of the most prolific striking output in the sport, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a sharp 58 percent accuracy. The six-foot-one, 185 cm orthodox fighter has a 72-inch reach advantage over Murzakanov and attempts virtually no submissions, signaling a straightforward power-striking approach.
Why it matters
- Murzakanov's 6-0 UFC light heavyweight mark is historically unprecedented for a fighter at 178 cm
- A win could push the ranked 12th contender deeper into title contention at 205 pounds
- Costa's superior height, reach, and striking volume present a clear stylistic test for Murzakanov's record
- The cross-division matchup adds further intrigue to an already significant card
Saturday, April 11, 2026
