[2] Zhakiyanov made his professional debut in August 2007, defeating Nabi Kadirov by unanimous decision on Shymkent.
On 2010, Zhakiyanov claimed the ABCO bantamweight title with a unanimous decision over Bahyt Abdurahimov.
Guerfi built a lead on the scorecards but Zhakiyanov knocked him out with a right hand at the end of round 5.
Both fighters showed technical deficiencies during the fight, throwing wide, looping punches.
[8] In August 2017, it was announced that Zhakiyanov would face IBF bantamweight titlist Ryan Burnett on 21 October 2017.