Current training photos have been released of Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa before their light heavyweight bout at UFC 327 this weekend. This will be Costa's second fight at light heavyweight in the UFC, his first being against Marvin Vettori in 2021. Costa's last five fights have all gone to decision. Murzakanov enters on a six-fight winning streak in the promotion, with his last three victories coming by knockout or technical knockout. The contrasting finishing rates between the two fighters raises questions about whether this matchup will end inside the distance or go the full three rounds.
Training photos of Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa have surfaced ahead of their light heavyweight matchup at UFC 327, scheduled for this Saturday, 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 fighting out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe has built considerable momentum inside the UFC, riding a six-fight winning streak with three of his most recent victories coming by knockout or technical knockout. He lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy rate, and fights out of a southpaw stance at five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach.
Costa, known as "The Eraser," steps up to light heavyweight for just the second time in his UFC career. The 35-year-old Brazilian holds a 16-4-0 record and is currently ranked 13th at middleweight, making this appearance something of a divisional detour. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, Costa is one of the sport's most active strikers, averaging 6.26 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy. His previous light heavyweight outing came against Marvin Vettori in 2021. Notably, all five of his most recent fights have gone the distance.
Why it matters
- Costa's five consecutive decisions stand in sharp contrast to Murzakanov's recent run of finishes, making the finishing question central to how this fight plays out
- A strong showing could push Murzakanov further up the light heavyweight rankings from his current position at number 12
- Costa's move back to 205 pounds tests whether his elite striking output translates against a natural light heavyweight with genuine knockout power
Saturday, April 11, 2026
