Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa completed their final face-off ahead of their scheduled fight at UFC 327. The staredown marks the conclusion of fight week preparations for the Russian fighter Murzakanov and Brazilian veteran Costa. The post invited fans to show support through a poll asking who would win the matchup. UFC 327 is taking place imminently, though the exact placement of this bout on the card was not specified. No further details about weight class or pre-fight comments were included.
Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa came face to face for the final time during fight week, completing their pre-fight staredown ahead of their matchup at UFC 327 on April 11, 2026.
Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," enters the bout carrying a 16-1-0 record and is ranked 12th 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 a 57 percent accuracy rate and also contributes on the wrestling side, averaging 0.55 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Costa, known as "The Eraser," is a 35-year-old Brazilian veteran competing at middleweight, where he is currently ranked 13th with a 16-4-0 record. Fighting out of an orthodox stance for Team Borracha, 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 an impressive 58 percent accuracy rate.
Why it matters
- The fight brings together two ranked contenders from neighboring weight classes, adding intrigue to the divisional context of the contest.
- Murzakanov's southpaw pressure and takedown threat will be tested against Costa's high-volume orthodox striking attack.
- A win for either fighter carries meaningful rankings implications heading into the second half of 2026.
- Both men carry nearly identical striking accuracy figures, setting up what could be a closely contested stand-up battle.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
