Undefeated light heavyweight Azamat Murzakanov stayed perfect with an impressive beatdown of Alonzo Menifield to cap off the UFC Abu Dhabi preliminary card on Saturday.
After a brutal, quick knockout loss to Carlos Ulberg a few months ago, fifteenth ranked 205’er Menifield took on the man right above him, sambo practitioner Azamat Murzakanov. Murzakanov had won his first three bouts in the UFC, but Menifield was his toughest opponent yet, having just beaten the last man the Russian beat.
The southpaw Murzakanov opened up with a clean uppercut, but then the bout settled into a cagey striking duel. The opposite stance matchup seemed to be making it tough for either man to close the distance. Murzakanov was the only one who landed clean, and two minutes in his best shot of the fight to that point hurt Alonzo. After that Azamat began pouring it on more and more before clinching up. Menifield broke free and tried to open up. He had some success but got countered clean. The Russian samboist just consistently had the advantage on the feet in the first round.
The second round was more of the same, if anything the brutality of Murzakanov increased. Menifield swung back with bigger and bigger hooks, but that only made him more counterable. The only thing Menifield did not allow Azamat to do was take him down. With two minutes left Alonzo seemed to think he had rocked his foe, but when he followed up the Russian landed several haymakers which absolutely floored the American. Menifield’s mouthpiece came halfway out; he was entirely out of it and after two ground punches, Murzakanov walked it off as the referee signaled the end.
In his post-fight interview, Murzakanov called for a top five opponent next, citing his undefeated record and impressive showings.
Official Result: Azamat Murzakanov def. Alonzo Menifield by TKO (hooks) Round 2, 3:18
