| Azamat Murzakanov | |
| Other Names: | The Professional |
| Birth Name: | Azamat Anzorovich Murzakanov[1] |
| Birth Date: | 12 April 1989 |
| Birth Place: | Kyzburun III, Kabardino-Balkarian ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Dygulybgey, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia) |
| Nationality: | Russian |
| Weight Lb: | 205 |
| Weight Class: | Light Heavyweight |
| Reach: | 71 in[2] |
| Stance: | Southpaw |
| Fighting Out Of: | Fairfield, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Team: | K-Dojo Warrior Tribe |
| Years Active: | 2010–present |
| Mma Kowin: | 10 |
| Mma Subwin: | 1 |
| Mma Decwin: | 3 |
| Sherdog: | 60203 |
Azamat Anzorovich Murzakanov (ru|Азамат Анзорович Мурзаканов;[1] born April 12, 1989) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of August 6, 2024, he is #11 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.[3]
Azamat Murzakanov was born on April 12, 1989, in the village of Kyzburun III (now Dygulybgey), Kabardino-Balkaria. After graduating from high school in 2006, he served in the internal troops, and after demobilization, he worked in the SOBR of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, where he met his future coach, Khachim Mamkhegov (honored trainer of Russia in hand-to-hand combat).[4] With his experienced mentor, Azamat has achieved resounding success in national and international tournaments (multiple champion of Russia, 3-time world champion, gold medalist of the European and Asian championships, honored master of sports in hand-to-hand combat).[5] [6] [7] [8]
In 2010, Azamat Murzakanov started his professional MMA career, training at the Unity Sports Complex in Nalchik. His debut took place on February 13, 2010, at the ProFC - Union Nation Cup 5 tournament, where he knocked out Anzor Khakimov in just 10 seconds. After a break due to work and studies, Murzakanov returned to fighting in June 2015, showcasing his knockout power at the ROC 51 event. In October 2015, he competed in the Polish promotion, Envio Fight Night, and won by unanimous decision.
In 2016, Murzakanov had three fights and achieved early victories in all of them. On May 14, he won via TKO at Global Proving Ground 24; on July 23, he defeated Bohdan Bulakh with a submission; and on October 2, he knocked out André Muniz, ending Muniz's eight-match winning streak. On April 15, 2017, Murzakanov competed in the Russian MMA league, Absolute Championship Akhmat, securing another quick finish against Georgy Sakaev at ACB 57.
Murzakanov signed with the UFC and was expected to face Joachim Christensen on June 25, 2017, at . However, Murzakanov was removed from the card on June 8 for undisclosed reasons.[9] It was later announced that the reason was that Murzakanov had failed USADA doping test, testing positive for boldenone metabolites 5β-androst-1-en-17β-ol-3-one and androsta-1,4-diene-6β-ol-3,17-dione. Murzakanov was suspended for 2 years starting on September 2, 2017.[10] [11]
In late 2019, news surfaced that Murzakanov had applied to Brave CF openweight tournament with a prize of $100,000, and was eventually picked to be a part of the tournament.[12] The tournament took part on November 15, 2019, at Brave CF 29, using his wrestling in the semi-final to defeat Guto Inocente via unanimous decision, before knocking out Mohammad Fakhreddine in the first round to win the tournament.[13]
Murzakanov was invited for a second chance in the UFC, appearing on Dana White's Contender Series 37 on August 31, 2021, finishing Matheus Scheffel in the first round to win the bout and gaining a UFC contract.[14]
Murzakanov was scheduled to make his debut against Marcin Prachnio on November 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 198.[15] However, the bout was later scrapped due to visa issues.[16]
Murzakanov was once again scheduled to make his promotional debut against Philipe Lins on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 31.[17] However, Lins withdrew from the event for undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by Jared Vanderaa.[18] Shortly after the weigh-ins, officials announced that the bout had been canceled due to Vanderaa not being medically cleared.[19]
Murzakanov made his UFC debut against Tafon Nchukwi on March 12, 2022, at [20] Despite losing most of the bout, Murzakanov won the bout after knocking Nchukwi out with a flying knee in round three.[21] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[22]
In his sophomore performance, Murzakanov faced Devin Clark on August 13, 2022, at .[23] He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.[24]
Murzakanov faced Dustin Jacoby on April 15, 2023, at .[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]
Murzakanov was scheduled to face Volkan Oezdemir on September 2, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 226.[27] However, Murzakanov pulled out in early August due to unknown reasons and was replaced by Bogdan Guskov.[28]
Murzakanov was scheduled to face Khalil Rountree Jr. on December 2, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 52.[29] However, Murzakanov suffered from symptoms related to Pneumonia and was removed from the event[30]
Murzakanov faced Alonzo Menifield on August 3, 2024 at UFC on ABC 7.[31] He won the fight by knockout in the second round.[32] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[33]
Murzakanov was scheduled to face Nikita Krylov on November 16, 2024 at UFC 309.[34] However, Murzakanov withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons.[35]
In 2016, Azamat Murzakanov married wife Zalina, a graduate of the law faculty of the University. H.B. Berbekov. The family has a daughter and a son.
Azamat's younger brother, Marat, is a master of sports in hand-to-hand combat, serving in the border troops of the FSB of Russia.
|-|Win|align=center|14–0|Alonzo Menifield|KO (punches)| | |align=center|2|align=center|3:18|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates||-|Win|align=center|13–0|Dustin Jacoby|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Kansas City, Missouri, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–0|Devin Clark|TKO (punches)|||align=center|3|align=center|1:18|San Diego, California, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–0|Tafon Nchukwi|KO (flying knee)|||align=center|3|align=center|0:44|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|10–0|Matheus Scheffel|TKO (punches)|Dana White's Contender Series 37||align=center|1|align=center|3:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–0|Mohammad Fakhreddine|KO (punches)|rowspan=2|Brave CF 29|rowspan=2||align=center|1|align=center|3:37|rowspan=2|Isa Town, Bahrain||-|Win|align=center|8–0|Guto Inocente|Decision (unanimous)|align=center|3|align=center|5:00||-|Win|align=center|7–0|Georgy Sakaev|TKO (punches)|ACB 57: Payback||align=center|1|align=center|1:37|Moscow, Russia||-|Win|align=center|6–0|André Muniz|KO (punch)|United Caucasian FC 1||align=center|1|align=center|0:50|Nalchik, Russia| |-|Win|align=center|5–0|Bogdan Bulakh|Submission (neck crank)|PFC Gladiator 4||align=center|1|align=center|0:35|Nalchik, Russia||-|Win|align=center|4–0|Eric Ellerbee|TKO (doctor stoppage)|Global Proving Ground 24||align=center|1|align=center|1:52|Voorhees, New Jersey, United States||-|Win|align=center|3–0|Alexey Sidorenko|Decision (unanimous)|Fight Nights Global 42||align=center|2|align=center|5:00|Saint Petersburg, Russia||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Alec Hooben|TKO (punches)|Ring of Combat 51||align=center|1|align=center|0:20|Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Anzor Khakimov|KO (punch)|ProFC 13: Union Nation Cup||align=center|1|align=center|0:10|Nalchik, Russia|[36]