Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa face off for first time before UFC 327

Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa came face to face for the first time on Wednesday ahead of their scheduled bout at UFC 327, set to take place on April 11, 2026. The staredown serves as an early promotional moment for what shapes up to be a hard-hitting matchup between two fighters built around physical power and forward pressure.

Costa, nicknamed "The Eraser," enters the contest at 35 years old representing Brazil with a professional record of 16-4-0. Ranked 13th in the middleweight division, the orthodox striker is one of the most statistically prolific punchers in the UFC, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. He trains out of Team Borracha and stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach.

Murzakanov, known as "The Professional," is a 37-year-old Russian fighting out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe. He carries an impressive 16-1-0 record and sits 12th in the light heavyweight rankings. The southpaw stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach and lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy, also mixing in 0.55 takedowns per 15 minutes. His lone professional loss remains the only blemish on an otherwise dominant resume.

Why it matters

• The matchup pits a ranked middleweight against a ranked light heavyweight, making the contracted weight class a notable detail for divisional implications.
• Both fighters carry near-identical striking accuracy and rely heavily on volume and power, setting the stage for a high-contact exchange.
• A win for either man could significantly reshape their standing heading into the second half of 2026.