Huh?
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa is officially moving up to Light Heavyweight for his next outing, where he will face No. 6–ranked undefeated contender Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 on Sat., April 11, 2026, inside the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Reporter Laerte Viana was first to break the news.
Costa (15-4) was originally scheduled to face fellow Brazilian Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326, but just days after the matchup was announced, “Borrachinha”
withdrew for undisclosed reasons — another setback in what has become a frustrating pattern of cancellations over the past several years.
The 34-year-old is coming off a much-needed victory, snapping a two-fight skid with a decision win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318. Before that, Costa dropped back-to-back decisions against former champions Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker.
UFC 327 will mark Costa’s second appearance at Light Heavyweight. His first came under unusual circumstances in 2021, when he came into fight week roughly 25 pounds overweight ahead of a scheduled Middleweight bout with Marvin Vettori, forcing the fight to be contested at 205 pounds.
Awaiting him is Murzakanov (16-0), who has quietly established himself as one of the division’s most dangerous finishers since earning a UFC contract on Contender Series. The 36-year-old Russian has gone a perfect 6-0 inside the Octagon, scoring five knockouts along the way.
Most recently, Murzakanov delivered his biggest statement yet, starching Aleksandar Rakic in the first round with a thunderous jab (watch highlights).
While some fans felt Murzakanov deserved a higher-profile opponent such as Khalil Rountree, Costa will have to do — assuming he makes it to fight night.
Other bouts currently booked for UFC 327 include Johnny Walker vs. Dominick Reyes and Tatiana Suarez vs. Loopy Godinez.
To checkout UFC’s upcoming schedule of events click here.
