Azamat Murzakanov holds a 6-0 UFC record at light heavyweight despite standing only 178 cm tall, making him the most successful fighter under 179 cm in the division's history. The post lists various short light heavyweights throughout UFC history, with Frank Shamrock's 5-0 record at 178 cm being the only other undefeated mark. Murzakanov faces Paulo Costa this Saturday at UFC 327 in a significant bout. If Murzakanov reaches a title fight, he would be the first sub-180 cm challenger in 27 years to compete for the 205-pound championship. Previous champions Daniel Cormier and Rashad Evans both measured exactly 180 cm. The statistical breakdown demonstrates how rare it is for shorter fighters to succeed in the light heavyweight division.
Azamat Murzakanov continues to rewrite the record books at light heavyweight, and a win over Paulo Costa at UFC 327 on April 11 would push him even further into uncharted territory for shorter fighters in the 205-pound division.
Murzakanov, known as "The Professional," carries a 16-1-0 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark inside the UFC's light heavyweight division. The 37-year-old Russian, who trains out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe, stands just 178 cm tall — shorter than virtually every successful fighter the division has produced. That 6-0 UFC record makes him the most successful sub-179 cm light heavyweight in the promotion's history, surpassing Frank Shamrock's 5-0 undefeated run at the same height. Murzakanov fights out of a southpaw stance and lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy.
Standing across from him will be Paulo Costa, "The Eraser," a Brazilian ranked 13th in the middleweight division who is stepping up to light heavyweight for this contest. Costa is 35 years old, stands 185 cm, and carries a 16-4-0 record. He is one of the more prolific strikers in the sport, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, though his takedown and submission output is minimal.
Why it matters
- A Murzakanov victory would extend his UFC light heavyweight record to 7-0, further cementing his place as the most accomplished shorter fighter in division history.
- Should he eventually earn a title shot, Murzakanov would become the first sub-180 cm challenger for the light heavyweight championship in 27 years — former champions Daniel Cormier and Rashad Evans both measured exactly 180 cm.
- The stylistic matchup pits Murzakanov's well-rounded southpaw game against one of the heaviest-handed strikers in recent memory, making this a significant test of whether his historic run can continue.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
