UFC adds Azamat Murzakanov vs. Tafon Nchukwi to March 12 event

Azamat Murzakanov will look to finally make his UFC debut in the first quarter of 2022.

Murzakanov (10-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) faces Tafon Nchukwi (6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at a UFC Fight Night event on March 12, which is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

A person with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Cageside Press first reported the news.

Murzakanov punched his ticket to the UFC in August when he scored a first-round finish of Matheus Scheffel at Dana White’s Contender Series 37. Since then, the undefeated 35-year-old saw three bookings scrapped against Marcin Prachnio in November, Philipe Lins at UFC on ESPN 31 in December and late-notice replacement Jared Vanderaa just one day before the fight when Vanderaa was not medically cleared despite weighing in.

Meanwhile, Nchukwi has competed three times since knocking out Al Matavao at Dana White’s Contender Series 32 in September 2020. The 27-year-old Cameroonian made his UFC debut at middleweight, splitting his first two appearances with a win over Jamie Pickett and a majority decision loss to Jun Yong Park. In his return to light heavyweight, Nchukwi picked up a unanimous decision win over Mike Rodriguez at UFC Fight Night 192 in September.

With the addition the UFC Fight Night lineup for March 12 includes:

• Thiago Santos vs. Magomed Ankalaev
• Marlon Moraes vs. Yadong Song
• Alex Pereira vs. Bruno Silva
• Guido Cannetti vs. Kris Moutinho
• Javid Basharat vs. Trevin Jones
• Cody Brundage vs. Dalcha Lungiambula
• Josh Culibao vs. Damon Jackson
• Mandy Bohm vs. Sabina Mazo
• Alex Caceres vs. Sodiq Yusuff
• Azamat Murzakanov vs. Tafon Nchukwi