Undefeated light heavyweight Azamat Murzakanov returns to the Octagon Saturday night, taking on former title challenger Paulo Costa in the co-main event of UFC 327 in Miami.
Murzakanov (16–0, 6–0 UFC) is coming off a first-round knockout of Aleksandar Rakic in October — his fifth finish in six Octagon appearances. Costa (15–4, 7–4 UFC) earned a unanimous decision over Roman Kopylov in June, but he’s just 2–4 since a 2020 TKO loss to then-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Murzakanov enters as a -205 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Costa sits as a +170 underdog. The total is set at 1.5 rounds.
Murzakanov vs. Costa Preview
Azamat Murzakanov (#6)
At 36, Azamat Murzakanov has speed-run his way up the light heavyweight rankings. The secret? Bulldozing everyone in his path. The undefeated Russian southpaw, who earned a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, has scored five knockouts in six trips to the Octagon — most recently starching Aleksandar Rakic in the first round of their October clash at UFC 321.
Standing 5-foot-10, “The Professional” boasts an 81% career finish rate, with 12 knockouts, one submission, and 10 first-round stoppages — including four in under a minute. In other words, he’s extremely dangerous.
On Saturday, Murzakanov looks to secure the highest-profile win of his career and force his way into the 205-pound title conversation.
Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa picked up a much-needed win in July, outclassing Roman Kopylov for three rounds en route to a lopsided unanimous decision. “The Eraser” now looks to carry that momentum into the light heavyweight division, though he still has plenty to prove at this stage of his career.
Once an undefeated budding star, Costa has dropped four of his last six bouts, a slide that began with a 2020 TKO from then-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. He later fell short in uninspired decision losses to Sean Strickland, Robert Whittaker, and Marvin Vettori — the latter coming at 205 pounds.
Despite the setbacks, the 6-foot-1 Brazilian striker remains a formidable threat, owning an 80% professional finish rate with 11 knockouts, one submission, and nine first-round stoppages. But at 34, questions remain about his consistency and motivation — and how much “Secret Juice” he still has left in the tank.
Murzakanov vs. Costa Pick, Best Bet
Two thunderous strikers. Twenty-five finishes between them. Each with a point to prove.
A fight like this can only end one way.
Expect Murzakanov to come out firing, his sights locked on a first UFC title shot. Meanwhile, Costa should be hunting a finish to remind everyone that he still belongs among the promotion’s elite. Count on a finish in Saturday night’s co-main event.
