Paulo Costa, Azamat Murzakanov both expecting title shot with victory at UFC 327 — ‘We’re very, very close’

Former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa is moving up to light heavyweight to battle undefeated 205-pound knockout artist Azamat Murzakanov in the UFC 327 co-main event on Sat. night (April 11, 2026) at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Both combatants are expecting to be at or near the top of the contender list with a victory this weekend in the “Sunshine State” now that Alex Pereira has been shipped to heavyweight.

Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg battle for the vacant light heavyweight title in the UFC 327 headliner.

“I’m not fighting at 205 because I cannot make 185, that is not the case,” Costa told reporters at the UFC 327 media day. “I planned that and I just saw a good opportunity to fight at light heavyweight, and I said, ‘Why not?’ I can fight at both divisions, both weight classes at the same time, and be a contender at both of them. I think the winner of this fight can be in a very good spot and be the next title shot contender.”

Costa is unranked at 205 pound but could steal the No. 6 slot from Murzakanov.

“I think I’m very close,” Murzakanov added. “I think everything depends on this fight on Saturday. This is a big fight, this is an important fight. From then on, if everything goes according to plan, I think we’re very, very close to a title shot. I feel good about the fact that [Costa] actually made it here. That’s great. I haven’t seen him, but I think a good way to do it is just lock him up and wait until Saturday, and make sure he doesn’t run away, then go ahead and fight him on Saturday.”

The 34 year-old Costa has a history of pulling out of high-profile fights.

The only fighters ranked ahead of Murzakanov, aside from the UFC 327 headliners, are Magomed Ankalaev, Jan Blachowicz, and Khalil Rountree. Ankalaev and Rountree Jr. are coming off losses and Blachowicz hasn’t seen he win column in nearly four years, so the light heavyweight field is wide open at the moment.

To see who else is fighting at UFC 327 this weekend on Paramount+ click here.