Zhalgas Zhumagulov

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.

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, 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. 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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Zhumagulov made his promotional debut against Raulian Paiva on July 11, 2020, at UFC 251. 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. He lost the fight via controversial unanimous decision. 16 out of 20 media outlets scored the bout as a win for Zhumagulov.

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. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Zhumagulov faced Jerome Rivera on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264. He won the fight via a guillotine choke in round one.

Zhumagulov faced Manel Kape on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 31. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Zhumagulov faced Jeff Molina on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik. He lost the bout via controversial split decision. 12 out of 13 media scores gave it to Zhumagulov.

Zhumagulov faced former LFA flyweight champion Charles Johnson UFC Fight Night 215. He lost the fight via split decision. 12 out of 13 media outlets scored the fight in favor of Zhumagulov.

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. In turn, the bout was scratched the day before the event due to Estevam having weight management issues.

Zhumagulov was scheduled to face Felipe Bunes on June 17, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 47. However due to medical issues, Bunes pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Joshua Van. He lost the bout via split decision.

On July 13, 2023, it was announced that Zhumagulov had completed his contract and was not renewed.

Post-UFC career Zhumagulov was originally scheduled to fight at Kazakhstan's Naiza FC 55 fight card on December 2, 2023 against Iago Ribeiro. The event was postponed to December 6, 2023 and Zhumagulov faced Masato Nakamura instead. Zhumagulov snapped his four-fight losing streak by winning the bout by TKO due to punches after ground-and-pound.

Zhumagulov faced Cleveland McLean at Kazakhstan's Naiza FC 57 fight card on February 24, 2024 and won by unanimous decision.

Zhumagulov faced Aaron Aby on November 9, 2024 at Oktagon 63. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

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.

On December 28, 2025, Zhumagulov successfully defended the Flyweight Championship via unanimous decision against David Dvořák at Oktagon 81.

Personal life Zhumagulov has two wives and six children.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Oktagon MMA Oktagon Flyweight Championship (One time, current) One successful defense Fight Nights Global Fight Nights Global Flyweight Championship (One time) One successful defense Ultimate Fighting Championship Tied (Jesse Ronson & Dennis Bermudez) for most consecutive split decision losses in UFC history (3)

Mixed martial arts record NC

Igor Severino NC (accidental punch to the groin) Oktagon 89

Bratislava, Slovakia Win

David Dvořák TKO (doctor stoppage) Oktagon 81

Prague, Czech Republic Win

Beno Adamia Decision (unanimous) Oktagon 73

Hamburg, Germany Win

Aaron Aby Decision (unanimous) Oktagon 63

Bratislava, Slovakia Win

Cleveland McLean Decision (unanimous) Naiza FC 57

Almaty, Kazakhstan Win

Masato Nakamura TKO (punches) Naiza FC 55

Astana, Kazakhstan Loss

Joshua Van Decision (split) UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Loss

Charles Johnson Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jeff Molina Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Manel Kape TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jerome Rivera Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 264

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Amir Albazi Decision (unanimous) UFC 257

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Raulian Paiva Decision (unanimous) UFC 251

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Ali Bagautinov Decision (split) Fight Nights Global 95

Sochi, Russia Win

Tagir Ulanbekov Decision (majority) Fight Nights Global 88

Astana, Kazakhstan Win

Tyson Nam Decision (unanimous) Fight Nights Global 86

Almaty, Kazakhstan Win

Shajidul Haque Decision (unanimous) Fight Nights Global 80

Almaty, Kazakhstan Loss

Vartan Asatryan Decision (split) Fight Nights Global 65

Astana, Kazakhstan Win

Artur Bagautinov KO (punch) Fight Nights Global 62

Moscow, Russia Win

Ivan Andrushchenko Decision (unanimous) Fight Nights Global 55

Moscow, Russia Win

Oscar Dolchin Decision (unanimous) Fight Nights Global 46

Moscow, Russia Loss

Zhifa Shang Decision (split) Kunlun Fight: Cage Fight Series 3

Chongqing, China Loss

Vartan Asatryan TKO (punches) Alash Pride: Royal Plaza Volume 2

Almaty, Kazakhstan Win

Bekzat Aliev TKO (punches)

Win

Salat Biskhanov TKO (punches)

Win

Tyjybaev Andos TKO (punches)

Win

Nursulat Serker TKO (punches)

Win

Nurbay Mirzaliev TKO (submission to punches) White Night FC: Elets Battle

Elets, Russia Win

Yerlan Semebekov TKO (Punches) Altay Republik MMA League: Altay vs. Siberia

Gorno-Altaysk, Russia