Paulo Costa's team released footage showing him struggling to make 93 kg during his weight cut preparation. This is particularly notable as Costa previously competed at 84 kg in the middleweight division. Costa also made controversial comments stating he hates Russian fighters and that after defeating "this fat guy" (Murzakanov), Khamzat Chimaev will be his third Russian opponent. The post is part of a larger update covering UFC 327 news. Additional updates mention Jon Jones claiming retirement as a fighter, Merab Dvalishvili planning two more fights despite a broken nose, and Josh Hockit apologizing for his antics after cameras stopped rolling.
Paulo Costa's camp has turned up the pre-fight noise ahead of UFC 327, releasing footage that shows the Brazilian contender carrying significantly more weight than expected during his cut preparations for a light heavyweight bout against Azamat Murzakanov.
Video shared by Costa's team captured him weighing in at 93 kg during training camp, a striking figure given that Costa spent the bulk of his career competing at 84 kg in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old from Brazil, ranked 13th at middleweight with a 16-4-0 professional record, has long been known for his aggressive striking output — he lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, among the higher volumes on the roster. His team apparently has no reservations about broadcasting the weight situation publicly.
Costa also stirred controversy with comments directed at his opponent, referring to Murzakanov as "this fat guy" and declaring a broad disdain for Russian fighters. He went further by naming Khamzat Chimaev as a prospective third Russian opponent after Murzakanov, framing the matchup in explicitly nationalistic terms.
Chimaev, the number-one ranked middleweight and a top-ten pound-for-pound fighter at 15-1-0, trains out of Allstars Training Center and competes representing the United Arab Emirates. The 30-year-old carries an elite grappling-heavy profile, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 60 percent striking accuracy mark.
Why it matters
- Costa's weight at 93 kg suggests a full-time move to light heavyweight, a significant step up from his middleweight career
- His public comments about Murzakanov and Chimaev add a charged personal dimension to both the current fight and any potential future booking
- A win over Murzakanov could position Costa to pursue a high-profile matchup with Chimaev, who sits atop the middleweight rankings
Saturday, April 11, 2026
