Featherweight, Brahyan Zurcher (9-0) vs. Murtazali Magomedov (9-0)
Notable Notes
- Zurcher went 5-0 in PFL
- Five of Zurcher’s wins have come against losing records
- Zurcher has four first-round finishes
- Zurcher has won by KO/TKO, submission, and decision
- Magomedov has never gone the distance
- Magomedov has finishes in rounds one, two, and three
Brahyan Zurcher
-Scrambles well
-Effective leg kicks
-Submission threat
-Good ground and pound
-High work rate
-Good volume
-Aggressive
-Weak TDD
Zurcher’s success comes from his relentless pressure and high-volume style. He isn’t the most technical striker or the best athlete, but he makes up for it with work rate and toughness. On the feet, he’s busy with both his hands and kicks, setting the tone early with strikes up high, to the body, and especially with damaging leg kicks. His punches can get a bit wide, but he does a good job of crowding space and making exchanges dangerous. At times, though, his willingness to trade leaves him open to unnecessary damage.
Defensively, his wrestling is serviceable but far from airtight—he gets taken down too easily. Still, he scrambles well and often turns bad positions into opportunities, showing more composure once on the mat. From top position, he’s effective with ground-and-pound and brings strong control, peppering opponents with strikes while actively hunting the neck.
Zurcher has the kind of style that fans gravitate toward, but not necessarily one built for long-term success at the UFC level, especially at 29. His striking isn’t sharp enough, and his wrestling isn’t dominant enough to break through. That said, he’d be a fun addition to the roster—someone who can test prospects, deliver action-packed fights, and serve as a reliable litmus test for the next wave of talent.
Murtazali Magomedov
-Scrambles well
-Submission threat
-Dangerous knees
-Good timing
-Solid Jiu-Jitsu
-Poor cardio
-TDD needs work
-Struggles against
-Poor head movement
At 16-0 across MMA, a two-time GAMMA amateur champion, and a former Octagon featherweight titleholder, Magomedov is one of the more recognized prospects out of Kyrgyzstan. He’s never gone the distance and has shown finishing ability everywhere, though his strongest skill set is clearly in grappling. Two years ago, he looked like a promising prospect, but his last two performances have raised concerns.
Defensively, he’s shown major gaps on the feet—his striking defense is porous, and he noticeably fades after the first five minutes. Durability is a real question mark. When he gets an early takedown, however, he’s in control. Magomedov is heavy on top, transitions well, and is suffocating in dominant positions—he’s the kind of fighter you don’t want taking your back. On the feet, he’s selective with his shots and works well in the clinch, but pressure exposes him. If you back him up, he’s hittable, uncomfortable, and doesn’t respond well under adversity.
As a wrestler, he’s functional but not elite. He chains attempts together well, but his entries are often predictable and lack setup. Overall, while his record and accolades stand out, the tape suggests otherwise. The tools are there, but right now, he doesn’t look close to UFC level.
Prediction: This fight likely comes down to Magomedov finding an early submission or Zurcher grinding him down for a late TKO. Zurcher’s takedown defense has holes that Magomedov can exploit, and both men are strong scramblers. The difference is pace—Magomedov tends to fade first, while Zurcher’s relentless work rate can break opponents over time. Magomedov also struggles under sustained pressure, especially when forced into prolonged striking exchanges. For that reason, I lean toward Zurcher. His defensive grappling should be enough to survive the early danger, and once the fight drags on, I expect him to take over and pull off what would be considered an upset.
