Undefeated light heavyweight Azamat Murzakanov faced off against Brendson Ribeiro on the televised preliminary card at UFC 316 in Newark, NJ on Saturday.
Murzakanov was 4-0 in the UFC since entering off the Contender Series in 2021, with activity, or lack thereof, his only flaw to date. Brazil’s Ribeireo, meanwhile, had won his last two fights, most recently submitting Diyar Nurgozhay in March.
Entering this fight as a 6-1 betting favorite Murzakanov plodded forward from the opening bell in the southpaw stance. Ribeiro bounced back and forth darting in and out with a jab and low leg kicks. Murzakanov threatened multiple straight left hands in a row snapping the head back of Ribeiro. A picture perfect left hand again found the chin of Ribeiro as “The Professional” Azamat Muzakanov systematically dispatched his opponent, remaining undefeated. Viscous ground and pound forced veteran referee Mike Beltran to call a stop to the fight early in the first round.
This was dominant and crushing performance from Murzakanov who should face elite competition next time out. In his post fight interview with Joe Rogan, the Russian contender stated that he is “underrated and needs more fights”. Extending his UFC win streak to five in a row, Murzakanov also wants to get a main event next and get five round experience.
Official Result: Azamat Murzakanov def. Brendson Ribeiro by TKO, Round 1, 3:25
