Paulo Costa: UFC 327 win secures 'very good spot' for title shot at 205
Paulo Costa doesn't think much work will be needed after UFC 327 to get a title shot in his new division.
MIAMI – Paulo Costa intends to compete across two weight classes for the duration of his octagon tenure, but is fully focused on light heavyweight entering UFC 327 . Former middleweight title contender Costa (15-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) moves up on Saturday when he takes on Azamat Murzakanov (16-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the co-main event at Kaseya Center ( Paramount+ ). Costa said he had added mass and adjusted his weight cut to be a 205-pounder, but he still sees a door open for a return to 185 pounds if presented with something attractive.
"I'm not fighting at 205 because I cannot make 185 – that is not the case," Costa told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday's 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.
" Costa said he currently sees middleweight as "boring" and thinks his new division is ripe with opportunity. A vacant title fight between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg headlines the card, and with Costa scheduled to compete just minutes before, he intends to make a statement against the undefeated Murzakanov that will catapult him up the rankings. "I think the winner of this fight can be in a very good spot and be the next title shot contender," Costa said.
"I'm going to watch this fight closely. I think this is a good fight as well. "I like to fight Russians.