UFC flyweight Zhalgas Zhumagulov just can’t catch a break with the judges — and after another controversial decision inside the octagon, he’s decided to call it a career.
Zhumagulov (14-8) fought to a split decision with former LFA champ Charles Johnson at UFC Vegas 65 over the weekend, with two judges scoring the fight in favor of the American.
That result did not sit well with many watching at home. Especially since the former Fight Nights Global flyweight champion had seen four of his five UFC losses go the distance, with a couple ending in controversial fashion.
A short time after this most recent setback, the Kazakh fighter announced his retirement on social media.
“Everyone saw the fight, what can I say?,” Zhumagulov stated (translation via Sherdog.com). “There is nothing to say — this was my last fight. Thanks to everyone who cheered for me. I don’t want to fight anymore. For some time I fight – the judges do not give me back. You plow, plow, do all the reasons – and just like that. Now, I’m not saying this out of emotion – as it is. Thank you to everyone who was rooting for me.”
Zhumagulov’s fight with Jeff Molina back in June, his most recent prior to the Johnson match-up, also ended in a split decision. Fights against Raulian Paiva and Amir Albazi also went the distance, but the fighter nicknamed “Zhako” could not catch a break with the judges even once.
His only win under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner was a submission of Jerome Rivera at UFC 264. However prior to his time with the UFC, Zhumagulov had put together a solid 13-3 record, with victories over current UFC athletes Tyson Nam and Tagir Ulanbekov, plus former UFC flyweight standout Ali Bagautinov.
If it is to be his final fight, Zhumagulov finishes his UFC stint with a 1-5 record, while sitting at 14-8 overall.
