Murzakanov and Costa complete final face-off before UFC 327 clash

Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa stood face to face for the final time Thursday at the ceremonial weigh-ins ahead of their UFC 327 meeting in Miami, scheduled for April 11.

Costa, known as "The Eraser," enters the contest as one of the most aggressive strikers the middleweight division has produced. The 35-year-old Brazilian carries a 16-4-0 record and holds the number 13 ranking at 185 pounds. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, Costa lands an eye-catching 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the division's most dangerous stand-up threats.

Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," steps across from a different division entirely. The 37-year-old Russian competes at light heavyweight, where he holds a 16-1-0 record and sits ranked 12th. Training with K Dojo Warrior Tribe, the southpaw stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach and lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy, while also adding a modest takedown threat at 0.55 per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Costa is a ranked middleweight stepping in against a natural light heavyweight, creating a notable size and weight-class dynamic.
• A win for Costa could strengthen his position at number 13 in the division and rebuild momentum after a 16-4 record that has seen recent turbulence.
• Murzakanov, entering from light heavyweight with just one career loss, has an opportunity to demonstrate versatility and expand his profile beyond the 205-pound ranks.
• Both fighters carry similar striking accuracy figures, suggesting a closely contested stand-up battle is likely the path each man prefers.