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

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 19: Paulo Costa of Brazil reacts against Roman Kopylov of Russia in a middleweight bout during the UFC 318 event at Smoothie King Center on July 19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC) 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.