Zhalgas Zhumagulov
Kazakh mixed martial arts fighter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zhalgas Zhumagulov (born August 29, 1988), is a Kazakh mixed martial artist who previously competed in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the current Flyweight champion of Oktagon MMA.
Aktobe, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union
| Zhalgas Zhumagulov | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | August 29, 1988 Aktobe, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union |
| Other names | Zhako |
| Nationality | Kazakh |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb) |
| Division | Flyweight |
| Reach | 66 in (168 cm)[1] |
| Fighting out of | Aktobe, Kazakhstan |
| Team | Erkin Kush |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 29 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 9 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 9 |
| Losses | 9 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By decision | 7 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Zhumagulov hails from Kazakhstan and sported a 13-3 MMA record before entering the UFC, with notable wins including Tagir Ulanbekov, Tyson Nam at Fight Nights Global 86,[2] Shajidul Haque, Artur Bagautinov, and others.
He won the Fight Nights Global Flyweight Championship defeating fellow future UFC fighter Tagir Ulanbekov at Fight Nights Global 88.[3] His last bout before signing with the UFC was in October 2019, where he edged former UFC flyweight title challenger Ali Bagautinov via split decision in the Fight Nights Global 95 main event.[4]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Zhumagulov made his promotional debut against Raulian Paiva on July 11, 2020, at UFC 251.[5] At the weigh ins, Paiva weighed in at 129 pounds, 3 pounds over the flyweight non-title limit. He was fined 20% of his purse, which went to Zhumagulov. The bout proceeded at catchweight.[6] He lost the fight via controversial unanimous decision.[7] 16 out of 20 media outlets scored the bout as a win for Zhumagulov.[8]
Zhumagulov was scheduled to face Amir Albazi at UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark, but Zhumagulov pulled out due to visa issues and the bout was rescheduled for UFC 257 on January 24, 2021.[9][10] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[11]
Zhumagulov faced Jerome Rivera on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264.[12] He won the fight via a guillotine choke in round one.[13]
Zhumagulov faced Manel Kape on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 31.[14] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[15]
Zhumagulov faced Jeff Molina on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik.[16] He lost the bout via controversial split decision.[17] 12 out of 13 media scores gave it to Zhumagulov.[18]
Zhumagulov faced former LFA flyweight champion Charles Johnson UFC Fight Night 215.[19] He lost the fight via split decision.[20] 12 out of 13 media outlets scored the fight in favor of Zhumagulov.[21]
Zhumagulov was scheduled to face Nate Maness on May 6, 2023 at UFC 288, but Nate Maness pulled out of the fight due to injury and was replaced by UFC newcomer Rafael Estevam, who was originally scheduled to face Carlos Candelario on April 22, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 222.[22][23] In turn, the bout was scratched the day before the event due to Estevam having weight management issues.[24]
Zhumagulov was scheduled to face Felipe Bunes on June 17, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 47.[25] However due to medical issues, Bunes pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Joshua Van.[26] He lost the bout via split decision.[27]
On July 13, 2023, it was announced that Zhumagulov had completed his contract and was not renewed.[28]
Post-UFC career
Zhumagulov was originally scheduled to fight at Kazakhstan's Naiza FC 55 fight card on December 2, 2023 against Iago Ribeiro.[29] The event was postponed to December 6, 2023 and Zhumagulov faced Masato Nakamura instead.[30] Zhumagulov snapped his four-fight losing streak by winning the bout by TKO due to punches after ground-and-pound.[31]
Zhumagulov faced Cleveland McLean at Kazakhstan's Naiza FC 57 fight card on February 24, 2024 and won by unanimous decision.[32]
Zhumagulov faced Aaron Aby on November 9, 2024 at Oktagon 63.[33] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[34]
On June 28, 2025, Zhumagulov competed for the Oktagon Flyweight Championship against Beno Adamia (who missed weight and was stripped of the title) at Oktagon Flyweight Championship and won the championship via unanimous decision.[35]
On December 28, 2025, Zhumagulov successfully defended the Flyweight Championship via unanimous decision against David Dvořák at Oktagon 81.[36]
Personal life
Zhumagulov has two wives and six children.[37]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Oktagon MMA
- Oktagon Flyweight Championship (One time, current)
- One successful defense
- Oktagon Flyweight Championship (One time, current)
- Fight Nights Global
- Fight Nights Global Flyweight Championship (One time)
- One successful defense
- Fight Nights Global Flyweight Championship (One time)
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Tied (Jesse Ronson & Dennis Bermudez) for most consecutive split decision losses in UFC history (3)
Mixed martial arts record
| 29 matches | 19 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 9 | 2 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 9 | 7 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC | 19–9 (1) | Igor Severino | NC (accidental punch to the groin) | Oktagon 89 | June 6, 2026 | 2 | 2:26 | Bratislava, Slovakia | For the Oktagon Bantamweight Championship. Accidental punch to the groin rendered Zhumagulov unable to continue. |
| Win | 19–9 | David Dvořák | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Oktagon 81 | December 28, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Prague, Czech Republic | Defended the Oktagon Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–9 | Beno Adamia | Decision (unanimous) | Oktagon 73 | June 28, 2025 | 5 | 5:00 | Hamburg, Germany | Won the vacant Oktagon Flyweight Championship. Adamia missed weight (127 lb) and was stripped of the title. Only Zhumagulov was eligible to win the title. |
| Win | 17–9 | Aaron Aby | Decision (unanimous) | Oktagon 63 | November 9, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Bratislava, Slovakia | |
| Win | 16–9 | Cleveland McLean | Decision (unanimous) | Naiza FC 57 | February 24, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 15–9 | Masato Nakamura | TKO (punches) | Naiza FC 55 | December 6, 2023 | 1 | 1:42 | Astana, Kazakhstan | |
| Loss | 14–9 | Joshua Van | Decision (split) | UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria | June 24, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 14–8 | Charles Johnson | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba | November 19, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 14–7 | Jeff Molina | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik | June 4, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 14–6 | Manel Kape | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo | December 4, 2021 | 1 | 4:02 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14–5 | Jerome Rivera | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 264 | July 10, 2021 | 1 | 2:02 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 13–5 | Amir Albazi | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 257 | January 24, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Loss | 13–4 | Raulian Paiva | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 251 | July 12, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Catchweight (129 lb) bout; Paiva missed weight. |
| Win | 13–3 | Ali Bagautinov | Decision (split) | Fight Nights Global 95 | October 19, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Sochi, Russia | Defended the FNG Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–3 | Tagir Ulanbekov | Decision (majority) | Fight Nights Global 88 | August 31, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Astana, Kazakhstan | Won the FNG Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–3 | Tyson Nam | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Nights Global 86 | April 1, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 10–3 | Shajidul Haque | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Nights Global 80 | November 26, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Loss | 9–3 | Vartan Asatryan | Decision (split) | Fight Nights Global 65 | May 19, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Astana, Kazakhstan | For the FNG Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–2 | Artur Bagautinov | KO (punch) | Fight Nights Global 62 | March 31, 2017 | 2 | 1:53 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 8–2 | Ivan Andrushchenko | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Nights Global 55 | November 22, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 7–2 | Oscar Dolchin | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Nights Global 46 | April 29, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Loss | 6–2 | Zhifa Shang | Decision (split) | Kunlun Fight: Cage Fight Series 3 | July 6, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Chongqing, China | Return to Flyweight. |
| Loss | 6–1 | Vartan Asatryan | TKO (punches) | Alash Pride: Royal Plaza Volume 2 | January 24, 2015 | 2 | 3:00 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 6–0 | Bekzat Aliev | TKO (punches) | Zhekpe Zhek: Bantamweight Grand Prix | October 6, 2014 | 3 | 2:10 | Astana, Kazakhstan | Won the Zhekpe Zhek Bantamweight Grand Prix. |
| Win | 5–0 | Salat Biskhanov | TKO (punches) | 1 | 1:10 | Zhekpe Zhek Bantamweight Grand Prix Semifinal. | |||
| Win | 4–0 | Tyjybaev Andos | TKO (punches) | 3 | 2:10 | Zhekpe Zhek Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. | |||
| Win | 3–0 | Nursulat Serker | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:47 | Bantamweight debut. Zhekpe Zhek Bantamweight Grand Prix Round of 16. | |||
| Win | 2–0 | Nurbay Mirzaliev | TKO (submission to punches) | White Night FC: Elets Battle | September 25, 2014 | 2 | 3:14 | Elets, Russia | |
| Win | 1–0 | Yerlan Semebekov | TKO (Punches) | Altay Republik MMA League: Altay vs. Siberia | September 7, 2014 | 1 | 3:54 | Gorno-Altaysk, Russia | Flyweight debut. |