UFC 327: Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa: Preview and Prediction

UFC 327 will take place this Saturday at Kaseya Center in Miami, and the hype around it is massive. The fight card is stacked from top to bottom, and in the co-main event, Azamat Murzakanov takes on Paulo Costa.

It will be Costa’s debut fight in the light heavyweight division as the former middleweight looks to break into the new division. Ahead of the fight, let’s look at which among these fighters have better chance of winning.

Azamat Murzakanov

Azamat Murzakanov made his UFC debut after performing at Dana White‘s Contender Series in 2021. Since then, the fighter has fought six fights and remained undefeated, and has several TKO finishes.

The Russian fighter currently ranks #6 in the division and believes a few more wins can push him to the title picture. The fighter has already engaged in some verbal exchanges with Costa, which has certainly ignited the rivalry further.

Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa has been in the UFC for a long time now and has already fought for the title once, but has remained inconsistent. Away from the Octagon, the Brazilian has certainly managed to build a huge fan base due to his hilarious and unhinged personality.

In his last fight, Costa beat Roman Kopylov to bounce back from his two-fight losing streak. However, it seems like the veteran now wants to try his luck fighting bigger opponents and rising through the light heavyweight rankings.

How to watch: UFC 327: Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa

To watch UFC 327 in the UK, early prelims begin at 10:00 PM GMT, followed by prelims at 12:00 AM GMT, with the main card starting at 2:00 AM GMT. British fans can watch the event live via TNT Sports and Discovery+, with streaming options available depending on their subscription.

In the U.S., early prelims start at 5:00 PM ET, followed by prelims at 7:00 PM ET, with the main card kicking off at 9:00 PM ET on Saturday night. American viewers can stream the full fight card live on Paramount+, with select bouts also broadcast on CBS.

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Tale of the Tape

CATEGORY	Azamat Murzakanov	Paulo Costa
AGE	36	34
HEIGHT	5′10″	6′1″
REACH	71″	72″
PRO RECORD	16–0–0	15–4–0
FIGHTING OUT OF	Nalchik, Russia	Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa: Final Prediction

Azamat Murzakanov thrives on calculated pressure, powerful combinations, and disciplined striking to steadily break opponents. He maintains composure, mixes attacks to the head and body effectively, and controls range to limit dangerous exchanges.

On the contrary, Paulo Costa relies on explosive offense, pressing forward with heavy hooks and aggressive combinations to overwhelm opponents. He looks to dictate pace immediately, but can become predictable when drawn into slower, more tactical striking battles.

If Murzakanov manages distance, avoids prolonged firefights, and consistently lands cleaner strikes, he should control rounds and neutralize Costa’s aggression. With time, his discipline and output could secure a clear advantage on the judges’ scorecards.

Final Prediction: Azamat Murzakanov via Unanimous Decision.