Azamat Murzakanov thinks a UFC title shot in his near future.
After picking up his sixth consecutive light heavyweight win inside the octagon, Murzakanov (16-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) wants to be placed in a title eliminator bout. Murzakanov scored a vicious TKO over longtime contender Aleksandar Rakic (14-6 MMA, 6-5 UFC) on the main card of UFC 321 on Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. In his in-cage interview with commentator Daniel Cormier, “The Professional” let the brass know what he wants next.
“I want to fight for the No. 1 contender (spot),” Murzakanov said. Since joining the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, Murzakanov has notched five KOs in his six wins. Despite entering UFC 321 as a favorite, Murzakanov said he still thought part of the MMA community was doubting him and his potential, and he made sure to silence those critics.
“You all doubted me, and I told you not to doubt me,” Murzakanov said. “Yes, I planned to finish him, and yes, I’m happy that I did that. I’m very thankful to everybody here and everybody who came in support. I’m very thankful for the promotion, for the organization, for the UFC for giving me this chance. I told you: I’m going to be fighting for the title.”
