Johnny Walker gave Jiri Prochazka a surprise gift ahead of his daughter's birth. Jon Jones announced his retirement from fighting, stating "fighter Jon Jones is no more, only businessman Jon Jones now." Paulo Costa reversed his previous stance and now says he hates Russian fighters, claiming Azamat Murzakanov will be his second consecutive Russian opponent, with Khamzat Chimaev potentially third. Costa's team posted video showing him struggling to make 93 kg, having previously competed at 84 kg. Josh Hocutt reportedly dropped his character immediately after filming ended, apologizing to those present. Merab Dvalishvili plans to fight twice more in 2026 despite his broken nose.
A flurry of notable developments emerged around UFC 327 on April 11, spanning a heartfelt gesture, a major retirement announcement, and a colorful fighter calling out opponents.
Johnny Walker surprised Jiri Prochazka with a gift ahead of the birth of Prochazka's daughter, a warm moment between two light heavyweights. Prochazka, 33, holds a professional record of 32-6-1 and is currently ranked second in the light heavyweight division. The Czech fighter trains out of Jetsaam Gym Brno and presents a dangerous offensive profile, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, with a six-foot-three frame and an 80-inch reach to back it up.
Jon Jones, 38, announced his retirement from fighting, declaring that fighter Jon Jones is no more and only businessman Jon Jones remains. The news closes the door on a career that produced a 28-1-0 record. Standing six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach, Jones built one of the most decorated resumes in UFC history, combining 58 percent striking accuracy with 1.89 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career.
Paulo Costa, ranked 13th at middleweight with a record of 16-4-0, made headlines for reversing a previous stance to declare that he now hates Russian fighters. The 35-year-old Brazilian from Team Borracha identified Azamat Murzakanov as what he called his second consecutive Russian opponent, with Khamzat Chimaev potentially to follow. Costa's team also posted video appearing to show him struggling to reach 93 kg, a notable data point given that his career competition weight has been 84 kg. Costa lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, making him one of the more prolific volume strikers in his division.
Elsewhere, bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili confirmed he intends to compete twice more in 2026 despite suffering a broken nose, while Josh Hocutt reportedly broke character immediately after filming wrapped, apologizing to those who were present.
Why it matters
- Jones's retirement removes one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history from the active roster
- Costa's stated pursuit of Murzakanov and Chimaev could reshape the middleweight top-fifteen picture
- Costa's weight footage raises questions about his division plans at 93 kg versus his established 84 kg base
Saturday, April 11, 2026
