Russian fighter Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa had their final faceoff before their bout at UFC 327. The post encourages fans to show support for Murzakanov heading into the fight. This is a significant matchup for both middleweights on the Miami card. The faceoff marks the conclusion of fight week promotional activities. Fans are asked to predict the outcome of this important contest.
Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa stood across from each other one final time on Thursday, completing their last faceoff ahead of their middleweight bout at UFC 327 in Miami on April 11.
Murzakanov, known as "The Professional," carries a 16-1-0 record into the fight and is ranked 12th in the light heavyweight division, though this contest is scheduled at middleweight. The 37-year-old Russian out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach and fights out of a southpaw stance. He lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate and averages 0.55 takedowns per 15 minutes, showing he is willing to mix levels when the moment calls for it.
Costa, the Brazilian veteran nicknamed "The Eraser," brings a 16-4-0 record and sits ranked 13th in the middleweight division at 35 years old. Fighting out of Team Borracha in an orthodox stance, he stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach. Costa is one of the more prolific strikers in the division, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, making him a high-output, high-pressure force on the feet.
Why it matters
- Murzakanov is moving down to middleweight, adding an extra layer of intrigue to how he performs at the new weight class
- Costa, ranked 13th, needs a statement win to push himself back toward the upper tier of a competitive division
- The style matchup pits Costa's elite striking volume against Murzakanov's southpaw angles and takedown threat
- A win for either man carries clear divisional implications heading into the second half of 2026
Saturday, April 11, 2026
