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 179 cm in the division's history. The post provides a detailed breakdown of the shortest light heavyweights in UFC history, with most struggling significantly. Frank Shamrock previously held the best record at 5-0 while standing 178 cm. 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. Murzakanov is scheduled to face Paulo Costa at UFC 327 this Saturday. Other notable short light heavyweights include Ilir Latifi at 7-5 and Daniel Cormier at 180 cm who did challenge for the title.
Azamat Murzakanov has quietly built one of the more remarkable statistical achievements in UFC light heavyweight history, and the Russian contender will look to extend it when he steps into the octagon at UFC 327 on April 11.
Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," stands five-foot-ten, or 178 cm, making him unusually compact for the 205-pound division. His 6-0 UFC record makes him the most successful fighter under 179 cm in light heavyweight history, surpassing the previous benchmark set by Frank Shamrock, who went 5-0 at the same height. Now ranked 12th in the division at 37 years old, Murzakanov carries an overall professional record of 16-1-0. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, he lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate, and his 71-inch reach is modest by divisional standards. If he were to eventually fight for the title, he would become the first challenger under 180 cm to contest the light heavyweight belt in 27 years.
His opponent at UFC 327 is Paulo Costa, "The Eraser," a 35-year-old Brazilian ranked 13th in the middleweight division who is moving up in weight for this contest. Costa stands six-foot-one, or 185 cm, with a 72-inch reach, and is one of the more prolific strikers in UFC history, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. He holds a professional record of 16-4-0.
Why it matters
- Murzakanov's perfect 6-0 UFC run sets a new benchmark for undersized light heavyweights in the promotion's history
- A strong performance could push him into title contention and toward a historic challenge no fighter under 180 cm has mounted in nearly three decades
- Costa brings elite striking volume from a significant height and reach advantage, creating a clear stylistic contrast in the stand-up game
- Daniel Cormier, listed at 180 cm, remains the closest comparable to mount a genuine title challenge at the division's upper limit
Saturday, April 11, 2026
