Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa face off for first time before UFC 327

Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa shared their first face-to-face staredown on April 9, with UFC 327 just two days away, as the promotional buildup to their scheduled bout moved into full swing.

Costa, known as "The Eraser," enters the fight carrying a 16-4-0 record and sits ranked thirteenth in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Team Borracha, is one of the sport's most recognizable pressure strikers, landing an eye-catching 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. He stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance.

Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," brings a 16-1-0 record into the contest and is ranked twelfth in the light heavyweight division. The 37-year-old Russian southpaw, who represents K Dojo Warrior Tribe, stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach and posts 4.7 significant strikes landed per minute at 57 percent accuracy. His takedown rate of 0.55 per 15 minutes adds a wrestling dimension to his game.

Why it matters

• Costa moves up from middleweight to meet Murzakanov at light heavyweight, making the weight dynamic a central storyline heading into fight night.
• Both men are ranked inside the top 13 of their respective divisions, meaning a strong performance could push either fighter closer to title contention in their weight class.
• The stylistic contrast between Costa's high-volume pressure striking and Murzakanov's southpaw stance with active takedown threat sets up an intriguing technical puzzle for both camps.
• The staredown represents the first official face-off, with further media obligations expected before UFC 327 on April 11.