Murtazaliev vs Kelly

Who won Murtazaliev vs Kelly?

Josh Kelly beat Bakhram Murtazaliev by majority decision in their 12 round contest on Saturday, January 31st, 2026, at Utilita Arena, Newcastle.

The scorecards were announced as 115-111, 114-113, 113-113 in favor of winner Josh Kelly.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 12 rounds in the Super Welterweight division, which meant the weight limit was 154 pounds (11 stone or 69.8 kg).

This contest was for the IBF super welterweight championship of the world.

Kelly was defending his his IBF World Junior Middleweight Championship for the first time. He won this belt against Bakhram Murtazaliev in January 2026. He had held this belt for 5 days. This fight was a mandatory contest for Murtazaliev's IBF Belt.

Also on the undercard Josh Padley beat Jaouad Belmehdi, and Elif Nur Turhan defeated Taylah Gentzen.

Murtazaliev vs Kelly stats

Bakhram Murtazaliev stepped into the ring with an undefeated record of 23 wins, zero losses, and 0 draws.

Josh Kelly made his way to the ring with a record of 17 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw.

Bakhram Murtazaliev was the older man by 2 years, at 33 years old.

Murtazaliev had a height advantage of 2 inches over Kelly. Despite this, both fighters had equal reach.

Both Bakhram Murtazaliev and Josh Kelly fought out of an orthodox stance.

Murtazaliev was arguably the more experienced fighter, having had 4 more fights, and made his debut in 2014, 2 years and 10 months earlier than Kelly, whose first professional fight was in 2017. He had fought 23 fewer professional rounds, totaling 116 compared to Kelly's 139.

Josh Kelly was ranked number 1 by the WBO, and 3 by the IBF in the 154lb division.

Murtazaliev vs Kelly form

Murtazaliev had won 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 4 of them, going the distance once.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had defeated Tim Tszyu on October 19, 2024, by technical knockout in the 3rd round in their IBF World Junior Middleweight championship fight at Caribe Royale Orlando, Orlando, United States.

Prior to that, he had defeated Jack Culcay on April 6, 2024, by technical knockout in the 11th round in their IBF World Junior Middleweight championship fight at Stadthalle, Falkensee, Germany.

Going into that contest, he had beaten Ahmad Cheikho on March 26, 2022, by technical knockout in the 1st round at Armory, Minnesota, United States.

Before that, he had won against Khiary Gray on July 17, 2021, by unanimous decision in their 8 round contest at AT&T Center, Texas.

He had beaten Manny Woods on September 26, 2020, by technical knockout in the 4th round at Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut.

Kelly had won 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 2 of them, going the distance 3 times.

In his last fight before this contest, he had defeated Flavius Biea on June 6, 2025, by knockout in the 1st round at Newcastle Arena, Newcastle, United Kingdom.

Prior to that, he had defeated Ishmael Davis on September 21, 2024, by majority decision in their 12 round contest at Wembley Stadium, London.

Going into that contest, he had won against Placido Ramirez on December 16, 2023, by knockout in the 3rd round at Beacon of Light, Sunderland.

Before that, he had defeated Gabriel Alberto Corzo on July 15, 2023, by unanimous decision in their 12 round contest at Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle.

He had beaten Troy Williamson on December 2, 2022, by unanimous decision in their BBBOC British Super Welterweight championship fight at Utilita Arena, Newcastle.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Josh Kelly had been fighting more than Bakhram Murtazaliev.

Going into this contest, Bakhram Murtazaliev had last fought 1 year, 3 months and 12 days ago, while Josh Kelly's last outing had been 7 months and 25 days ago.

Murtazaliev's last 5 fights had come over a period of 5 years, 4 months and 5 days, which means he had been fighting approximately every 1 year and 25 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 27 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 5.4 rounds on average.

Kelly's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 1 month and 29 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 19 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 40 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 8 rounds on average.

What time did Murtazaliev vs Kelly start?

The fighters were expected to ringwalk at around 9:10 PM GMT at Utilita Arena, Newcastle, United Kingdom, which was 4:10 PM EST or 1:10 PM PST on the West Coast of America.

Who broadcast Murtazaliev vs Kelly?

The DAZN show began at 2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PST. The DAZN Global broadcast of the card started at 7:00 PM (GTM).

What were the odds on Murtazaliev vs Kelly?

Bakhram Murtazaliev was a 8/25 (-300) favorite going into the contest, while Josh Kelly made his way into the ring at 13/5 (+270) with oddsmakers.