UFC 327: Azamat Murzakanov vs Paulo Costa Preview & Prediction
A fascinating light heavyweight Co-Main at UFC 327 sees Paulo Costa make his debut at 205, taking on hard-hitting Azamat Murzakanov
Azamat Murzakanov vs Paulo Costa facts
What time are Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? Kaseya Center, Miami, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 270
What TV channel is UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg main card
Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg (Light Heavyweight)
Azamat Murzakanov vs Paulo Costa (Light Heavyweight)
Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Hokit (Heavyweight)
Dominick Reyes vs Johnny Walker (Light Heavyweight)
Cub Swanson vs Nate Landwehr (Featherweight)
UFC 327: Prochazka vs Ulberg prelims
Patricio Pitbull vs Aaron Pico (Featherweight)
Mateusz Gamrot vs Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight)
Kevin Holland vs Randy Brown (Welterweight)
Tatiana Suarez vs Loopy Godinez (Womens Strawweight)
MarQuel Mederos vs Chris Padilla (Lightweight)
Kelvin Gastelum vs Vicente Luque (Middleweight)
Charles Radtke vs. Francisco Prado (Welterweight)
Azamat Murzakanov: Soviet boxing technician looking to make a statement against a big name
Azamat Murzakanov (16-0) has quietly built up an impressive unbeaten record in the light heavyweight division, finishing his most recent opponents Brendson Ribeiro and Aleksandar Rakic in the first round. He fights with a distinctly Soviet boxing style - light on his feet, deceptively fast hands, disciplined distance management, and straight shots mixed effectively at the body and head. He carries serious power despite being undersized for the division, with a step-in jab that has produced a knockdown of Dustin Jacoby and the first-round finish of Rakic. He keeps his combinations short and controlled, only opening up when chasing a finish.
Paulo Costa: Fan favourite looks to breathe new life into his career
Paulo Costa (15-4) has only lost to the elite of the middleweight division - Adesanya, Whittaker, Strickland, and Vettori, the latter coming against a fighter firmly in the title conversation at the time. A big middleweight, Costa won't look out of place physically at 205 pounds, and the move up could suit him given his tendency to fade in the championship rounds. When motivated, Costa is a dangerous kickboxer - fast hands with serious power, digging punches to the body, and powerful leg and calf kicks that he established early and effectively against Kopylov. The question is always which version of Costa shows up, the motivated, once surging contender, or the flat, disengaged version seen in some of his recent outings.
Azamat Murzakanov vs Paulo Costa prediction
This is a compelling stylistic puzzle. Murzakanov's elite boxing and finishing power make him the logical favourite, but a motivated Costa at light heavyweight is not a straightforward proposition.
Jacoby has a decent chin and managed to survive Murzakanov's power, Costa's durability is a level above that, having absorbed enormous punishment from hard hitters at middleweight. That resilience could give him the time he needs to establish his leg and body kicks early, hoping to wear down Murzakanov going into the second half of the fight, slowing down his output and disrupting his footwork over three rounds.
The danger is the Costa who fades late and disengages mentally, but the move to light heavyweight removes some of that concern. Murzakanov's elite distance management and explosive combinations should edge this one, but don't be surprised if a switched-on Costa makes this very uncomfortable.
Prediction: Azamat Murzakanov to win
