Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa have shared their current physical condition ahead of their matchup at UFC 327 this weekend. This will be Costa's second fight at light heavyweight in the UFC, following his 2021 bout against Vettori. Costa's last five fights have all gone to decision. Meanwhile, Murzakanov is riding a six-fight winning streak in the promotion, with his last three victories coming by KO/TKO. The post raises the question of whether fans will see a finish in this contest given the fighters' recent trends.
Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa have both gone public with their physical condition ahead of their light heavyweight matchup at UFC 327, scheduled for Friday, April 11.
Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," carries a 16-1-0 record into the bout and sits ranked 12th in the light heavyweight division. The 37-year-old Russian fighter, who trains out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe, has put together a six-fight winning streak inside the UFC, with his last three victories all coming by KO or TKO. Fighting out of a southpaw stance at 178 cm with a 180 cm reach, Murzakanov lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy, making him a consistent and precise finisher.
Costa, known as "The Eraser," holds a 16-4-0 record and is ranked 13th at middleweight, though this weekend's contest marks his second appearance at light heavyweight in the UFC. The 35-year-old Brazilian out of Team Borracha stands 185 cm tall with a 183 cm reach and has long been regarded as one of the sport's most physically imposing strikers. He lands an eye-catching 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. However, his last five fights have all gone the distance, a notable contrast to the knockout-heavy résumé he built earlier in his career.
Why it matters
- Murzakanov's three straight KO/TKO finishes suggest he has the power to threaten a version of Costa who has not been finished in recent outings
- Costa moving up to light heavyweight again tests whether the added weight class suits his physicality
- A win for either fighter would strengthen their case for a top-ten ranking in a competitive 205-pound division
Saturday, April 11, 2026
