Photos have emerged showing the current condition of both Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa ahead of their scheduled bout at UFC 327 this weekend. This will mark Costa's second light heavyweight appearance in the UFC, with his first at 205 pounds coming against Marvin Vettori in 2021. Costa's last five fights have all gone to decision, while Murzakanov enters the contest riding a six-fight winning streak in the promotion. The Dagestani fighter has secured his last three victories by knockout or technical knockout, raising anticipation that this matchup could produce a finish. The post includes imagery of both fighters' physiques as they approach the event.
Fight-week images have surfaced showing both Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa in sharp physical condition ahead of their light heavyweight bout at UFC 327, scheduled for April 11.
Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," enters the contest in commanding form. The 37-year-old Dagestani carries a 16-1-0 professional record and holds the number 12 ranking at light heavyweight. Fighting out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe, the southpaw stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach and lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy. His current six-fight winning streak inside the UFC includes three consecutive victories by knockout or technical knockout, making him a credible finishing threat heading into the weekend.
Costa, known as "The Eraser," makes just his second appearance at 205 pounds. The 35-year-old Brazilian, who trains with Team Borracha, holds a 16-4-0 record and is ranked 13th in the middleweight division. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, Costa is one of the more prolific strikers in the sport, averaging 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. His first light heavyweight outing came against Marvin Vettori in 2021, and his last five fights have all gone the distance on the judges' scorecards.
Why it matters
- Murzakanov's three-fight KO/TKO run gives him genuine finishing credibility against a fighter moving up in weight
- Costa's last five decisions suggest a potential durability factor but also a departure from his earlier highlight-reel reputation
- A win for either man would strengthen a divisional ranking case at 205 pounds, where Costa is making only his second visit
- The size differential is notable, with Murzakanov standing shorter and carrying a tighter reach than Costa despite competing as the natural light heavyweight
Saturday, April 11, 2026
