Evgeny Goncharov expressed confidence that Azamat Murzakanov will defeat Paulo Costa without difficulty at UFC 327. Goncharov predicted that Murzakanov would finish Costa in their upcoming light heavyweight co-main event bout. The post presents Goncharov's assessment as straightforward, suggesting he sees Murzakanov as a clear favorite against the former UFC middleweight title challenger. The prediction comes ahead of their scheduled fight on the UFC 327 card. No specific details about how or when Goncharov expects the finish to occur were provided.
Evgeny Goncharov went on record Thursday predicting that Azamat Murzakanov will stop Paulo Costa when the two meet in the light heavyweight co-main event at UFC 327 on April 11.
Goncharov expressed confidence in Murzakanov without qualification, framing the Russian fighter as a clear favorite and projecting a finish rather than a decision outcome. No specific round or method was offered in his assessment.
Murzakanov, known as "The Professional," carries a 16-1-0 record into the bout and sits ranked twelfth in the light heavyweight division. The 37-year-old Russian trains out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe and fights out of a southpaw stance. Standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, he lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy and adds 0.55 takedowns per 15 minutes to his offensive arsenal.
Costa, nicknamed "The Eraser," makes the step up from middleweight carrying a 16-4-0 record and a ranking of thirteenth in that division. The 35-year-old Brazilian orthodox striker is one of the more prolific volume punchers on the roster, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. His ground game remains limited, with just 0.32 takedowns per 15 minutes and no submission attempts on record.
Why it matters
- Murzakanov and Costa are both ranked in their respective divisions, and a win at light heavyweight could vault either man into more prominent contention at 205 pounds.
- The size dynamic is notable — Costa is the taller fighter at six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, giving up height and length to the shorter Murzakanov.
- Costa's exceptional striking output against Murzakanov's southpaw pressure sets up a compelling style contrast that gives the co-main event genuine divisional stakes.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
