Azamat Murzakanov Drops, Outlasts Dustin Jacoby

Azamat
Murzakanov kept his professional record spotless at
UFC on ESPN 44, though Dustin
Jacoby certainly made it interesting.

In their main card light heavyweight showcase, Murzakanov’s
aggression, hand speed and power clearly had Jacoby uncomfortable,
which was only exacerbated by the Russian’s sporadic but timely
takedown attempts. “The Professional” dropped Jacoby with punches
in Round 1, busting up his nose in the bargain. Murzakanov knocked
him again late in Round 2, in a flurry that might have precipitated
the end of the fight if time had not expired.

Clearly behind on the scorecards, Jacoby came roaring back in the
final frame, fighting with aggression, hurting Murzakanov and even
hitting a takedown of his own, but it was not enough. The judges
awarded the fight to Murzakanov via unanimous 29-28 scores,
bringing the 36-year-old’s record to 13-0 overall (3-0 UFC) and
positioning him for a possible Top 10 matchup in his next outing.
“The Hanyak,” valiant in defeat, fell to 18-7-1 as a pro and has
now lost two straight after going on a 6-0-1 tear upon rejoining
the UFC in 2020.