Paulo Costa scored a third-round knockout victory over Azamat Murzakanov with a high kick at UFC 327. The finish extends Costa's winning streak to two consecutive victories and propels him into the top 10 of the light heavyweight rankings. For Murzakanov, this represents the first loss of his professional career, bringing his UFC record to 6-1. The Russian had been undefeated prior to this setback. Costa's successful move to light heavyweight continues with this impressive stoppage victory.
Paulo Costa delivered a highlight-reel head-kick knockout of Azamat Murzakanov in the third round at UFC 327 on April 11, cementing his place among the light heavyweight division's top ten contenders.
Costa, known as "The Eraser," entered the contest with an overall record of 16-4 and had been building momentum at 205 pounds after transitioning up from middleweight. The 35-year-old Brazilian out of Team Borracha stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach and brings one of the most prolific striking outputs in the sport, averaging 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58-percent accuracy rate. The finish pushed his winning streak to two consecutive victories and moved him to 13th in the middleweight rankings, though his light heavyweight ranking now places him inside the top ten at 205.
Murzakanov, 37, entered the bout as one of the division's most durable prospects. The Russian southpaw, fighting out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe, carried a perfect professional record into UFC 327 and had gone 6-0 inside the octagon before Saturday night. Standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, "The Professional" averaged 4.7 significant strikes per minute with 57-percent accuracy and had shown a respectable takedown threat at 0.55 per 15 minutes. The loss, his first as a professional, drops his record to 16-1 and leaves him ranked 12th in a suddenly more competitive light heavyweight picture.
Why it matters
- Costa's head-kick finish signals a credible and dangerous presence in the light heavyweight top ten after his division switch
- Murzakanov absorbs his first professional defeat, raising questions about where he fits among the elite at 205 pounds
- The matchup of two heavy-handed strikers with near-identical accuracy percentages made for a volatile stylistic contest, ultimately settled by Costa's elite striking volume
Saturday, April 11, 2026
