Paulo Costa's team released video showing him struggling significantly to reach 93 kilograms for his upcoming bout. This represents a major jump from the 84 kg middleweight division where he previously competed. Costa also changed his stance on Russian fighters, stating he hates them and that Murzakanov will be the second consecutive Russian on his record, with Khamzat Chimaev potentially being third. In other UFC 327 news, Johnny Walker surprised Jiri Prochazka with a gift related to his daughter's upcoming birth. Jon Jones claimed he has hung up his gloves and is now only a businessman. Merab Dvalishvili plans to fight twice more this year despite a broken nose, and both Carlos Ulberg and Prochazka stood out at the ceremonial weigh-ins.
Paulo Costa's team raised eyebrows ahead of UFC 327 on April 11 by releasing footage of the Brazilian slugger visibly struggling to hit 93 kilograms for his upcoming light heavyweight bout against Arman Murzakanov — a significant step up from the 84-kilogram middleweight limit where he built his career.
Costa, known as "The Eraser," enters the fight at 35 years old carrying a 16-4-0 record and currently ranked 13th in the middleweight division. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, the Brazilian is one of the more physically imposing middleweights on the roster, averaging 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy. The weight-cut footage underlines just how considerable the jump to 93 kilograms has been for his body to absorb. Beyond the scale struggles, Costa also made headlines by reversing his previously neutral stance on Russian opponents, stating he now hates them and noting that Murzakanov will be the second consecutive Russian fighter to appear on his record, with Khamzat Chimaev potentially becoming the third.
Elsewhere in the UFC 327 build-up, Jiri Prochazka received an unexpected gift from Johnny Walker connected to the Czech fighter's daughter's upcoming birth. Prochazka, 33, holds a 32-6-1 record and is ranked second in the light heavyweight division. The Czech Republic native stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach and lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute — one of the sport's more aggressive output rates. Both Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg drew attention at the ceremonial weigh-ins.
Jon Jones, 38, who carries a 28-1-0 record, stated he has retired and now considers himself solely a businessman rather than a fighter.
Why it matters
- Costa moving to 93 kg tests whether his frame and striking output translate to light heavyweight competition
- His stated animosity toward Russian opponents adds narrative weight to the Murzakanov matchup
- Jones publicly distancing himself from competition reshapes the light heavyweight title picture
- Prochazka's rank-two standing means his UFC 327 result carries direct divisional consequences
Saturday, April 11, 2026
