Bakhram Murtazaliev is set to return on December 12 on the Dmitry Bivol–Callum Smith undercard in Yekaterinburg, Russia, nearly 11 months after losing his IBF junior middleweight title to Josh Kelly. The former champion needs activity after spending most of 2026 out of the ring.
Dan Rafael first reported Murtazaliev’s involvement in September. His October 20 schedule lists a 10-round junior middleweight bout against an opponent to be announced. Johan Gonzalez has been mentioned in circulating posts, but he should not be treated as the confirmed opponent.
Bivol’s unified light heavyweight title defense against Smith is official for December 12 at UMMC Arena, with DAZN broadcasting the event. That gives Murtazaliev a prominent card for his comeback, although the opponent will determine how much the fight can tell us about his chances of reclaiming a belt.
Murtazaliev lost his title by majority decision against Kelly in Newcastle on January 31. It was his first professional defeat, leaving him with a 23-1 record and 17 knockouts. Kelly has since signed a new Matchroom contract, while Murtazaliev has waited for his next fight.
The inactivity is becoming a familiar issue. Murtazaliev entered the Kelly fight following a lengthy break, and another extended absence gives him little opportunity to correct mistakes under fight conditions. Training can address technique and conditioning, but it cannot replace rounds against an opponent trying to beat him.
A 10-round comeback is a reasonable starting point. He does not need to jump straight into another title fight after a defeat. He does, however, need this appearance to lead somewhere rather than become another isolated booking followed by months of waiting.
Until an opponent is announced, there is little basis for judging the matchmaking. A durable opponent could give Murtazaliev rounds, while a stronger contender would offer a clearer indication of what he has left at world level.
The immediate job is to win in December and secure an earlier return in 2027. One defeat has not ended Murtazaliev’s chances at 154 pounds, but another year built around a single appearance would make the climb back harder.