Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa complete final face-off before UFC 327 bout

Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa shared a final face-off on the eve of their UFC 327 meeting, with the two fighters going head-to-head one last time before stepping into the Octagon on April 11, 2026.

Costa, known as "The Eraser," enters the bout as one of the more recognizable names in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old Brazilian holds a 16-4-0 record and sits at number 13 in the middleweight rankings, fighting out of Team Borracha. A natural pressure fighter in the orthodox stance, Costa stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach and produces a striking volume of 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate — figures that place him among the busier and more precise punchers in his division.

Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," represents a notably different profile. The 37-year-old Russian competes at light heavyweight rather than middleweight, carrying a 16-1-0 record and sitting 12th in that division while training with K Dojo Warrior Tribe. A southpaw standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, Murzakanov lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy and adds a modest takedown threat at 0.55 per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• The cross-divisional matchup pits a ranked light heavyweight against a ranked middleweight, raising the stakes for both men's positioning.
• Costa's superior striking volume against Murzakanov's southpaw angles and takedown dimension creates a genuine stylistic puzzle.
• A strong performance for either fighter could reshape their trajectory in their respective 185-pound and 205-pound rankings.