- Flyweight
- Kazakhstan
« Zhako »
Zhalgas Zhumagulov Record, stats and next fight
19-9-0 (W-L-D) · 1 NC
9Wins by knockout
1Wins by submission
0First round finishes
Stats and record
29Pro fights
53%Finish rate
19Wins
9Losses
Wins by method
Losses by method
Loss breakdown not available.
Profile
- Age
- 38 years
- Born
- August 29, 1988
- Birthplace
- Aktobe, Kazakhstan
- Height
- 5'4" (163 cm)
- Weight
- 126 lbs (57 kg)
- Reach
- 66" (168 cm)
- Division
- Flyweight
- Team
- Erkin Kush
Analysis
Zhalgas Zhumagulov is a Kazakh flyweight fighter, OKTAGON champion since June 2025 and a former Fight Nights Global champion. Having competed in the UFC between 2020 and 2023, he relaunched his career in Europe, where he now holds the belt atop a record marked by titles won and defended.
Background
Born August 29, 1988, in Aktobe, then part of the Kazakh SSR, Zhalgas Zhumagulov made his professional MMA debut in 2014 in Kazakh regional promotions, the Altay Republik MMA League and then the Zhekpe Zhek tournament, where he strung together four TKO wins in a single tournament night. He continued on the Russian and Asian circuit, at Alash Pride, Kunlun Fight and then Fight Nights Global, where he settled in for the long run starting in 2016. He trains with the Erkin Kush team, in Aktobe.
Fight Nights Global Career
Zhumagulov became Fight Nights Global flyweight champion on August 31, 2018, beating Tagir Ulanbekov by five-round majority decision. He defended the title on October 19, 2019, against Ali Bagautinov, also by five-round split decision. That run opened the door to the UFC.
UFC Career
In the UFC, Zhumagulov opened with a unanimous decision loss to Raulian Paiva on July 12, 2020, then another against Amir Albazi on January 24, 2021. He picked up his only win in the promotion on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264, submitting Jerome Rivera by first-round guillotine choke. He then dropped a string of decisions, against Manel Kape by TKO on December 4, 2021, against Jeff Molina by split decision on June 4, 2022, against Charles Johnson by split decision on November 19, 2022, and against Joshua Van by split decision on June 24, 2023. With a record of one win and six losses, he was released by the UFC in July 2023.
Return to Asia and OKTAGON Career
Zhumagulov returned to the win column at Naiza FC, beating Masato Nakamura by TKO on December 6, 2023, then Cleveland McLean by unanimous decision on February 24, 2024, in a bantamweight bout. On November 9, 2024, he beat Aaron Aby by unanimous decision at OKTAGON 63. On June 28, 2025, at OKTAGON 73, he faced Beno Adamia for the flyweight title left vacant after Adamia missed weight, and won by unanimous decision, becoming OKTAGON flyweight champion. He defended the belt on December 28, 2025, at OKTAGON 81, beating David Dvořák by third-round TKO. On June 6, 2026, at OKTAGON 89, he moved up to bantamweight to challenge Igor Severino in a bid to become a two-division champion, but the fight ended in a no contest in the second round after an accidental low blow. Zhumagulov retained his flyweight title, which was not on the line in that bout.
Fighting Style
Of his nineteen wins, Zhumagulov has nine by decision, nine by KO or TKO and one by submission, a split that reflects a fighter capable of finishing opponents on the feet while regularly going the distance. His nine losses break down into seven decisions and two stoppages, most often against opponents competing at the highest level of the UFC.
Record
- Professional record: 19 wins, 9 losses, 1 no contest
- Wins by KO or TKO: 9
- Wins by submission: 1
- Wins by decision: 9
- Fight Nights Global flyweight title, one defense, former
- OKTAGON flyweight title, current since June 28, 2025, one defense
Vital Stats
- Full name: Zhalgas Zhumagulov
- Nickname: Zhako
- Born: August 29, 1988, in Aktobe, Kazakhstan
- Height: 5’4″ (163 cm)
- Reach: 5’6″ (168 cm)
- Division: Flyweight
- Team: Erkin Kush, Aktobe
- Base: wrestling and decision-making
Data updated on November 11, 2026. Record and measurements cross-checked against official results and Wikipedia. Text written by the MMA Official editorial team.