Azamat Murzakanov will now face Brendson Ribeiro at UFC 316 on June 7 in Newark, New Jersey, stepping in for the previously scheduled Johnny Walker in a light heavyweight bout. Walker was forced to withdraw from the pay-per-view event for reasons that have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Murzakanov (14-0) aims to maintain his perfect record and continue his impressive run in the UFC. A known finisher, he has earned multiple bonuses for his performances, including a recent knockout victory in August 2024. His successful UFC tenure includes stoppages against previous opponents, establishing him as a dangerous presence in the division.
Ribeiro (17-7, 1 no contest) enters the fight looking to build momentum after navigating a challenging start in the promotion. Following an 0-2 debut, he has since rebounded with two consecutive victories, first securing a decision win and then most recently earning a second-round submission.
UFC 316 is set to take place at the Prudential Center and is headlined by the highly anticipated bantamweight title rematch between champion Merab Dvalishvili and former titleholder Sean O’Malley. The co-main event will feature Julianna Peña challenging two-time PFL champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison for the women’s bantamweight championship.
