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Tag: UFC 327

  • Jiri Prochazka: I Was 40-50% After Ulberg’s UFC 327 Knee Injury

    Jiri Prochazka: I Was 40-50% After Ulberg’s UFC 327 Knee Injury

    Jiri Prochazka has put a number on how much his performance slipped the moment Carlos Ulberg blew out his knee at UFC 327.

    The former UFC light heavyweight champion was on the verge of reclaiming the vacant title in Miami on April 11 before Ulberg, fighting on one leg, flattened him with a left hook and finishing ground shots at 3:45 of the opening round. In his latest comments, Prochazka says mercy took over the instant he realized his opponent was hurt.

    “From the moment the injury happened to Ulberg, I wasn’t at 100 percent anymore,” Prochazka said. “I was at maybe 40-50% of my performance, and I was just sparring and waiting for the referee to stop the fight at any moment. It was a big mistake, maybe one of my biggest.”

    Prochazka Targets Return to Title Talks

    The admission lines up with what fans saw in real time. After battering Ulberg’s lead leg with low kicks and watching the New Zealander stumble around the cage, Prochazka visibly pulled back on his offense rather than press the finish. Ulberg steadied himself against the fence, timed a counter left hook, and swarmed for the knockout.

    The loss drops Prochazka to three straight defeats in UFC title fights. He previously lost back-to-back championship bouts to Alex Pereira before this vacant-title setback against Ulberg.

    Despite the skid, Prochazka says he is already eyeing his next move. He told reporters he expects to be back in negotiations for his next fight within a month, with Ulberg facing a potentially lengthy recovery from the blown-out knee that nearly cost him the belt.

  • “Still Catches Him” – Carlos Ulberg KOs Jiri Prochazka

    Despite appearing to injure his leg — potentially tearing his ACL — in the first minute of the fight, Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka in highlight fashion to become the new UFC light heavyweight champion in the main event of UFC 327.

    Prochazka and Ulberg did some trading early, and things looked grim for Ulberg. One of Prochazka’s leg kicks caused Ulberg to stumble, and something appeared to pop in Ulberg’s leg, with some claiming it was an ACL tear.

    Prochazka attacked the knee a bit but admitted to taking things easy, daring Ulberg to stand and trade.

    Prochazka paid for that decision; landing a massive left hand and follow-up strikes that put Prochazka out to give Ulberg the championship despite his injury.

    Carlos Ulberg KOs Jiri Prochazka For UFC Light Heavyweight Title At UFC 327

    Prochazka is a former light heavyweight champion, defeating Glover Teixiera for the title in the main event of UFC 275. Prochazka, however, vacated the title due to injury before making a defense.

    Prochazka entered this fight 6-2 in the UFC, with his two losses coming in light heavyweight title fights with Alex Pereira.

    Pereira vacated the light heavyweight title tonight due to his impending move to heavyweight. He fights Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250.

  • “He Finds A Way” – Paulo Costa Hands Azamat Murzakanov First Loss

    “He Finds A Way” – Paulo Costa Hands Azamat Murzakanov First Loss

    The undefeated record of Azamat Murzakanov is no more, as Paulo Costa’s move up to light heavyweight produces a strong start. Costa knocked out Murzakanov in the third round of the UFC 327 co-main event.

    Despite Murzakanov’s pressure and stalking attempts, Costa’s kicking helped to get him off to an early start, landing kicks to the body and legs of Murzakanov that did damage. A body kick in the closing minute of the first round, in fact, dropped and troubled Murzakanov.

    As the fight went on, however, it appeared that Costa’s gas tank was giving him an issue. Murzakanov fought back with his own body shots, and his power came more to fruition, which bothered Costa.

    Costa was refreshed in round three, and a kick that landed on one of Murzakanov’s arms appeared to damage it badly. Costa later followed it up with a head kick that resulted in Murzakanov crumbling to the mat to give Costa the win.

    Paulo Costa Takes The 0 Of Azamat Murzakanov At UFC 327

    Costa is now 3-2 in his last five fights. This was his second fight at light heavyweight, previously fighting Marvin Vettori at 205 in 2021. Costa entered this fight off a victory over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318.

    Murzakanov now falls to 16-1. He entered this fight off a first-round finish of Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 321.

  • “15 Minutes Of Carnage” – Josh Hokit Bests Curtis Blaydes In War

    “15 Minutes Of Carnage” – Josh Hokit Bests Curtis Blaydes In War

    In one of the greatest heavyweight battles ever seen in the Octagon in what has felt like forever, Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit put on an epic, bloody battle that will go down as a Fight of the Year contender.

    Ultimately, Hokit got the judges’ nod to remain undefeated.

    The two did plenty of trading to start the fight, and that played into Hokit’s favor, wobbling Blaydes in the first minute. Blaydes was wobbled but fought his way back into the fight, getting Hokit into his grasp. Blaydes then landed a flurry of shots on Hokit, though it didn’t deter Hokit from taunting Blaydes during the round.

    Blaydes appeared to be gassed in the second round, and it showed with Hokit landing the better shots early. Blaydes attempted to fight back, but Blaydes showed a lack of head movement. Hokit battered Blaydes near the fence in another near-finish; however, Blaydes endured it and gave a flurry right back.

    Josh Hokit Defeats Curtis Blaydes In Fight Of The Year Contender At UFC 327

    Hokit, now 9-0, was competing in just his third UFC fight. The former NFL player, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum, scored first-round finishes of Max Gimenis and Denzel Freeman.

    Blaydes entered this fight off a controversial decision win over Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Baku 10 months ago.

  • Renat Khavalov Gets Grappling Edge, Decision Over Raufeon Stots

    Renat Khavalov Gets Grappling Edge, Decision Over Raufeon Stots

    Renat Khavalov remains undefeated and scores the biggest win of his professional MMA career, defeating former interim Bellator champion Raufeon Stots in the co-main event of PFL Chicago.

    Despite Stots’ NCAA wrestling experience, it was Dagestan’s Khavalov who outworked him in grappling. Khavalov controlled the action for the first 10 minutes with his clinchwork and takedowns, mixing in inside shots for good measure.

    The two traded strikes throughout the third round, with Stots seemingly landing the more effective strikes but not doing enough to deter Khavalov.

    All three judges scored the bout 29-28 in Khavalov’s favor.

    Renat Khavalov Defeats Raufeon Stots At PFL Chicago

    This bout was promoted to the co-main event slot just minutes before PFL Chicago’s start after Jordan Newman withdrew from his bout against Josh Silveira.

    Since the closure of Bellator, Stots, the former interim Bellator bantamweight champion, has had two fights in PFL prior to tonight. He defeated Marcos Breno at the PFL Battle of the Giants card in October 2024 and lost to Sergio Pettis this past June.

    Khavalov was a perfect 10-0 entering tonight. The former Eagle FC champion entered tonight 3-0 in the PFL, scoring wins over Cleiver Fernandes, Vilson Ndregjoni, and Edgars Skrivers.

  • “No Contest” – Dominick Reyes Beats Johnny Walker In Snoozefest

    “No Contest” – Dominick Reyes Beats Johnny Walker In Snoozefest

    A fight at UFC 327 that no one expected to go the distance and could have fallen either way ended up being close…but not in the good way.

    Boos rained down from the crowd as Dominick Reyes got his hand raised, defeating Johnny Walker via split decision at UFC 327.

    Walker got off to a good start in the opening round, focusing on the leg kicks, while Reyes stayed patient, looking to use his range and timing to land strong shots from distance.

    Reyes finally got to pressuring Walker in the second round, picking up his punching volume and adding in kicks to the body. Unfortunately, neither fighter seemed to show urgency in the third as they traded weak shots.

    All three judges scored the fight 29-28, with two giving it to Reyes for the win.

    Dominick Reyes Gets Split Decision Over Johnny Walker At UFC 327

    Reyes has now won four of his last five fights. He entered tonight off a knockout loss to Carlos Ulberg at UFC Perth last September.

    Walker is now winless in four of his last five fights. He came into this bout off a second-round finish of Zhang Mingyang at UFC Shanghai last August.

  • “Fairy Tale Ending!” – Cub Swanson Wins Retirement Fight

    “Fairy Tale Ending!” – Cub Swanson Wins Retirement Fight

    At 42 years old, Cub Swanson ends his professional MMA career a winner, dropping Nate Landwehr three times en route to a first-round knockout victory.

    Landwehr looked to start things off with leg kicks, but Swanson was patient and pressed forward slowly. Swanson eventually started to get his strikes going, landing on Landwehr when they were against the fence.

    Swanson dropped Landwehr with a left hand, and then again with a right. Swanson then cracked Landwehr with a right hand to fold him again, prompting referee Herb Dean to wave off the action.

    Cub Swanson Retires After First-Round Finish Of Nate Landwehr At UFC 327

    Swanson made his professional MMA debut in July 2004, working his way up by competing in promotions like King of the Cage and the WEC. Swanson made his UFC debut in November 2011, going 10-3 between then and April 2017, scoring wins over the likes of Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier and Jeremy Stephens. Two of the three losses came against Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar.

    Before tonight, Swanson was 5-7 stretching back to December 2017, losing to the likes of Brian Ortega, Renato Moicano, and Shane Burgos, along with losing a rematch with Edgar. Swanson entered tonight’s bout off a knockout of Billy Quarantillo at UFC Tampa in December 2024.

    Landwehr has now lost four of his last five fights, though he still holds three post-fight bonuses in his last six.

  • “Robbed” – Padilla vs. Mederos Changed To Draw After Errors

    Another week, another major screw-up in the world of MMA officiating and judging, courtesy of a set of judges at UFC 327.

    The botch occurred during the preliminary card matchup between Chris Padilla and MarQuel Mederos. The fight was filled with plenty of striking volume, especially from Padilla, who brought plenty of pressure. Mederos had his own strong strikes, including bloodying Padilla up with an elbow. Mederos, however, was deducted a point for an eye poke during round three.

    Padilla was originally announced as the winner by majority decision, with two 29-27 scores and a 28-28 draw. Following the Tatiana Suarez vs. Loopy Godinez bout, however, the UFC broadcast announced that the score for Padilla vs. Mederos was corrected to be ruled a majority draw.

    The corrected scorecards were then revealed, with all three judges appearing to not count the point deduction Mederos received during the third round.

    Furthermore, under the original scorecards, Mederos was the one who would have been awarded a split decision win. The original scorecards’ totals had it two 29-28s in his favor, from judges Derek Cleary and Eliseo Rodriguez. Solimar Miranda originally had it 29-28 for Padilla, resulting in the lone 29-27 Padilla total on the corrections.

    Chris Padilla vs. MarQuel Mederos Ruled Majority Draw After Scoring Mix-Up At UFC 327

    The mix-up prompted another round of mockery and anger from the MMA community.

    Padilla stepped into this fight with a seven-fight win streak, including a 4-0 UFC record. Padilla had most recently fought Ismael Bonfim in November, scoring a second-round finish.

    Mederos entered this bout with a nine-fight win streak and an 11-1 professional MMA record. He was 3-0 in the UFC before tonight, most recently defeating Mark Choinski at UFC 316.

  • “The D’Arce Knight Rises” – Vicente Luque Submits Kelvin Gastelum

    “The D’Arce Knight Rises” – Vicente Luque Submits Kelvin Gastelum

    Vicente Luque found himself in some early trouble, but he was able to gather himself up and battle back to drop and submit Kelvin Gastelum during the UFC 327 prelims.

    Gastelum came out on the front foot early, trying to pressure Luque with single shots. Gastelum brought Luque to the fence and pinned him there before scoring the takedown. Gastelum troubled Luque, holding him for a while and attempting a choke.

    Luque, however, was able to work his way out of Gastelum’s grasp. Despite Gastelum’s strong chin, Luque landed a strong right uppercut that dropped him. Luque then held Gastelum down on the ground for a bit before locking in a D’Arce choke to score the submission.

    Vicente Luque Submits Kelvin Gastelum At UFC 327

    Luque rebounds from back-to-back losses to Kevin Holland and Joel Alvarez, improving to 3-3 in his last six.

    Gastelum is now 3-5 in his last eight.

  • UFC 327 Results: Prochazka vs Ulberg Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC 327 Results: Prochazka vs Ulberg Live Updates & Highlights

    MMA News updates UFC 327 results and highlights live as the action unfolds from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The main event will feature Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg battling for the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Prochazka vs Ulberg: Light Heavyweight Title Fight

    The championship is being vacated today as Pereira aims to move up to heavyweight, being booked in an interim heavyweight title fight with Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 in two months.

    Prochazka has tasted light heavyweight gold before, defeating Glover Teixeira to capture the title at UFC 275. Prochazka, however, vacated the title due to injury before he could ever make a defense.

    Prochazka, who is also a former RIZIN champion, is 6-2 in the UFC, with both losses coming in light heavyweight title fights with Alex Pereira at UFC 295 and UFC 303. Prochazka last fought at UFC 321, finishing Khalil Rountree Jr.

    Ulberg is 13-1 in MMA entering tonight, with his sole loss coming against Kennedy Nzechukwu in his UFC debut. Ulberg has won nine straight, most recently knocking out Dominick Reyes, another former light heavyweight title challenger, in September. Ulberg also holds wins over former champion Jan Blachowicz and former challenger Volkan Oezdemir.

    The co-main event will also be contested at light heavyweight, as the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov takes on Paulo Costa, who is jumping up to the division from middleweight.

    Murzakanov is a perfect 16-0. Since winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, he has won all six fights he’s had in the Octagon, with five of those coming via KO/TKO. He most recently scored a first-round finish of Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 321.

    Costa enters this fight off a decision win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318. This is Costa’s second 205-pound bout; he previously faced Marvin Vettori at the weight in October 2021, losing via decision.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC 327!

    How to Watch UFC 327

    • Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
    • Venue: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
    • Streaming: Paramount+ , CBS (8pm ET – 10pm ET [last hour of prelims and first hour of main card])
    • Prelims: 5:30 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT
    • Late Prelims: 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
    • Main Card: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT

    UFC 327 Quick Results

    • Main Event: Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg — Carlos Ulberg def. Jiri Prochazka via KO (Rd. 1, 3:45)
    • Co-Main: Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa — Paulo Costa def. Azamat Murzakanov via TKO (Rd. 3, 1:23)
    • Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit — Josh Hokit def. Curtis Blaydes via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
    • Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker — Dominick Reyes def. Johnny Walker via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
    • Cub Swanson vs. Nate Landwehr — Cub Swanson def. Nate Landwehr via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:06)

    UFC 327 Results & Highlights

    Early Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5:30 PM ET)

    Welterweight: Charles Radtke vs. Francisco Prado

    Result: Charles Radtke def. Francisco Prado via unanimous decision (30-26 x3)

    Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Vicente Luque

    Result: Vicente Luque def. Kelvin Gastelum via submission (D’Arce choke) (Rd. 1, 4:08)

    Lightweight: Chris Padilla vs. MarQuel Mederos

    Result: Chris Padilla vs. MarQuel Mederos goes to a majority draw (28-28 x2, 29-27) (Fight was originally announced as a majority decision win for Padilla)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET [CBS 8 PM ET – 9 pm ET])

    Women’s Strawweight: Tatiana Suarez vs. Loopy Godinez

    Result: Tatiana Suarez def. Loopy Godinez via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 2, 2:29)

    Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Estevan Ribovics

    Result: Mateusz Gamrot def. Estevan Ribovics via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Rd. 2, 4:19)

    Welterweight: Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown

    Result: Kevin Holland def. Randy Brown via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Featherweight: Patricio Pitbull vs. Aaron Pico

    Result: Aaron Pico def. Patricio Pitbull via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET [CBS 9 PM ET – 10 pm ET])

    Featherweight: Cub Swanson vs. Nate Landwehr

    Result: Cub Swanson def. Nate Landwehr via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:06)

    Light Heavyweight: Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker

    Result: Dominick Reyes def. Johnny Walker via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit

    Result: Josh Hokit def. Curtis Blaydes via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Light Heavyweight: Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa

    Result: Paulo Costa def. Azamat Murzakanov via TKO (Rd. 3, 1:23)

    Light Heavyweight Championship: Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg

    Result: Carlos Ulberg def. Jiri Prochazka via KO (Rd. 1, 3:45)

  • Watch the UFC 327: Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg Weigh-Ins

    Watch the UFC 327: Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg Weigh-Ins

    We are now just one day shy of UFC 327, which will determine if Jiri Prochazka or Carlos Ulberg walks away the new UFC light heavyweight champion. Get the latest from all of today’s weigh-ins in Miami here with MMANews!

    Prochazka and Ulberg were selected to fight for the championship, which Alex Pereira will relinquish. Pereira is moving up to heavyweight, facing Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 in two months.

    Prochazka previously defeated Glover Teixeira at UFC 275 to become light heavyweight champion; however, an injury resulted in him vacating the title before making a defense. Prochazka, who is 6-2 in the UFC since coming over in 2020 from RIZIN where he was also a champion, has unsuccessfully attempted to reclaim the gold twice in bouts with Alex Pereira at UFC 295 and UFC 303.

    Ulberg has won nine straight since losing his UFC debut against Kennedy Nzechukwu, the sole loss in Ulberg’s MMA career so far. Ulberg’s last three fights have come against former light heavyweight champions or title challengers: decision wins over Volkan Oezdemir and Jan Blachowicz, as well as a knockout of Dominick Reyes.

    UFC 327 Official And Ceremonial Weigh-Ins

    You can find the YouTube video to view the UFC’s official UFC 327 Morning Weigh-In Show below, as well as the updated results as the fighters weigh in.

    The Morning Weigh-In show begins at 8:50am ET/5:50am PT.

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET [CBS 9 PM ET – 10 pm ET])

    • Light Heavyweight Championship: Jiri Prochazka (203) vs. Carlos Ulberg (204)
    • Light Heavyweight: Azamat Murzakanov (205) vs. Paulo Costa (205)
    • Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes (261) vs. Josh Hokit (233)
    • Light Heavyweight: Dominick Reyes (205) vs. Johnny Walker (205)
    • Featherweight: Cub Swanson (146) vs. Nate Landwehr (145)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET [CBS 8 PM ET – 9 pm ET])

    • Featherweight: Patricio Pitbull (145) vs. Aaron Pico (145)
    • Welterweight: Kevin Holland (171) vs. Randy Brown (171)
    • Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot (156) vs. Estevan Ribovics (155)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Tatiana Suarez (116) vs. Loopy Godinez (116)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5:30 PM ET)

    • Lightweight: Chris Padilla (158*) vs. MarQuel Mederos (155)
    • Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum (185) vs. Vicente Luque (185)
    • Welterweight: Charles Radtke (170) vs. Francisco Prado (170)

    *Padilla weighs in 2 pounds above the non-title lightweight limit.

    You can watch the UFC 327 Ceremonial Weigh-In in the video player below.

    The UFC 327 Ceremonial Weigh-In begins at 5pm ET/2pm PT.

  • UFC 327 Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    UFC 327 Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    UFC 327 is this week, and we’re that much closer to determining a new UFC light heavyweight champion. Get the latest betting odds and best bets from MMANews!

    In the main event of UFC 327, Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg fight for the right to be named the new UFC light heavyweight champion. Alex Pereira will vacate the title to move up to heavyweight.

    Prochazka is 6-2 since coming to the UFC from RIZIN. He defeated Glover Teixeira for the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 275, but ended up vacating the gold due to injury. Prochazka attempted to win the belt back twice previously, getting stopped by Alex Pereira at UFC 295 and UFC 303.

    Ulberg is 13-1 in professional MMA, having not lost since dropping his UFC debut to Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 259. He’s won nine straight, which includes knockouts of Dominick Reyes and Alonzo Menifield, as well as a submission of Da-un Jung and decision wins over former champion Jan Blachowicz and former challenger Volkan Oezdemir.

    After UFC 327 lost its planned flyweight title fight to UFC 328, the co-main event will now feature Azamat Murzakanov looking to remain undefeated against Paulo Costa.

    Murzakanov, at 16-0, has won six straight since arriving at the UFC off Dana White’s Contender Series. He most recently fought at UFC 321, earning a first-round finish of Aleksandar Rakic.

    Costa last fought at UFC 318 in July, scoring a decision over Roman Kopylov. He is 2-4 in his last six. Costa has fought at 205 once before, in a 2021 loss to Marvin Vettori, but this is his first fight in a full jump up in weight class.

    Other fights scheduled for the main card include Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit, Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker, and Cub Swanson vs. Nate Landwehr (in Swanson’s retirement fight).

    UFC 327 Betting Odds

    Here are the latest betting odds for UFC 327, as of 11:45am ET on April 9, courtesy of DraftKings:

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5:30 PM ET)

    • Welterweight: Charles Radtke (-175) vs. Francisco Prado (+145)
    • Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum (-278) vs. Vicente Luque (+225)
    • Lightweight: Chris Padilla (-155) vs. MarQuel Mederos (+130)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET)

    • Women’s Strawweight: Tatiana Suarez (-155) vs. Loopy Godinez (+130)
    • Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot (-192) vs. Estevan Ribovics (+160)
    • Welterweight: Kevin Holland (-110) vs. Randy Brown (-110)
    • Featherweight: Patricio Pitbull (+245) vs. Aaron Pico (-305)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    • Featherweight: Cub Swanson (-105) vs. Nate Landwehr (-115)
    • Light Heavyweight: Dominick Reyes (-148) vs. Johnny Walker (+124)
    • Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes (-122) vs. Josh Hokit (+102)
    • Light Heavyweight: Azamat Murzakanov (-205) vs. Paulo Costa (+170)
    • Light Heavyweight Championship: Jiri Prochazka (-112) vs. Carlos Ulberg (-108)

    UFC 327 Predictions & Best Bets

    Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg: Jiri Prochazka has had a taste of the light heavyweight gold before, and he wants to taste it again. Prochazka, in fact, never lost the title in the Octagon. And the only person to get the better of him in the UFC? Alex Pereira — only one of the UFC’s best pound-for-pound athletes. Ulberg has a strong winning streak, and he’s got some solid finishes on his record. That said, looking at the history of Prochazka and Ulberg are two different stories. Prochazka has a better opponent history and way more experience on his side. Expect another highlight finish from BJP, who’ll become a two-time champion in the process. (Prediction: Prochazka) (Best Bet: Prochazka via KO/TKO/DQ [+140])

    Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa: This is going to be a matchup of two strikers who look to bring forward pressure to their opponent. It may be a slow start, but this fight is ultimately going to come down to who can overwhelm their opponent more. Costa might be able to handle Murzakanov’s power, but handling things at 185 is much different than handling power at 205. Expect Murzakanov to remain undefeated after this one. (Prediction: Murzakanov) (Best Bet: Murzakanov via KO/TKO/DQ [+200])

    Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit: Hokit is the younger fighter in a weak heavyweight division who has been making a lot of noise — for better or for worse. He’s got a lot of power, and some are probably hoping he knocks Blaydes out to surge up the rankings. But Blaydes is bigger, he’s got a lot more experience, he’s got championship fight experience, and he’s got wrestling that can give an inexperienced fighter like Hokit problems. Blaydes might be able to win this one, but unless we get a Hokit knockout, don’t expect fireworks here. (Prediction: Blaydes) (Best Bet: Blaydes via decision [+225])

    Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker: Of the five main card matchups, this one feels the most questionable. Six years ago or so, this was a top-10 light heavyweight matchup that is a certified banger. Now? This feels like a matchup where a loss puts the loser one fight away from falling out of the rankings. Both are solid strikers with some power, but both also have some susceptible chins. Reyes’ striking, especially the technical aspects of it, feels safer than the wild style of Walker. Walker might be entering this fight off the win, but Reyes’ momentum — and his loss to one of the night’s title challengers — feels like he should get the slight edge here. If you’re betting on either fighter in this fight, you might love living dangerously. (Prediction: Reyes) (Best Bet: Reyes via KO/TKO/DQ [+110])

    Cub Swanson vs. Nate Landwehr: The legendary Cub Swanson gets his swan song on a numbered card stage in Miami. And he gets to take on Nate Landwehr? We’re in for a war! Watch the two of them look to explode with combinations and power, as they go toe-to-toe, strike-for-strike, in what should be an entertaining Fight of the Night nominee! If a winner had to be predicted, I’d expect the experienced Swanson to get his hand raised one last time. (Prediction: Swanson) (Best Bet: Swanson ML [-105])

    Patricio Pitbull vs. Aaron Pico: Amazingly, Pitbull vs. Pico never happened in the Bellator cage. It’s probably four or five years too soon, but we’re going to get this matchup, just in the UFC. Pico is somehow the favorite here, even though he got wrecked badly by Lerone Murphy at UFC 319. Pitbull might not have looked great in either of his UFC fights last year, but at least he has a win. Plus, Pitbull has a championship background. Pico has had a lot of hype and is a strong wrestler; however, Pitbull’s grappling and timing will probably lead him to a win. (Prediction: Pitbull) (Best Bet: Pitbull ML [+245])

    Mateusz Gamrot vs. Estevan Ribovics: There’s a pretty notable talking point around MMA experts that needs to be brought up and reiterated here. Yes, Gamrot got run over by Charles Oliveira in October; however, that’s Charles Oliveira we’re talking about. Ribovics has been in some fun scraps, but for Gamrot’s losses to come against Oliveira and Dan Hooker? Those aren’t bad losses in the slightest. Ribovics is a fun scrapper, but he hasn’t been tested against someone the likes of Gamrot. If Ribovics wins, he’s definitely earned a tougher test. But this might be too much, too soon. (Prediction: Gamrot) (Best Bet: Gamrot via decision [-120])

    Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown: This one sounds like a banger. Both Holland and Brown are known for their solid striking abilities. When Holland is on his game, he is one of the most dangerous fighters in the welterweight division. Holland probably has the edge with his grappling, but expect him to go into that if the fight goes to the ground naturally. This one’s probably going to end up a war. (Prediction: Holland) (Best Bet: Fight does NOT go the distance [-115])

    Tatiana Suarez vs. Loopy Godinez: This is a solid matchup for the strawweight division. Suarez is on a mission to get back to a title shot after Weili Zhang handed her the first loss of her career. Godinez is looking to finally get that win that brings her to the top of the contender scenes. Both are strong grapplers, and Godinez has combinations that are effective. Suarez, however, has looked nearly unstoppable with her wrestling. Unless Godinez has really worked hard on her defense, Suarez’s wrestling is once again going to be a problem. (Prediction: Suarez) (Best Bet: Suarez via decision [+120])

    Chris Padilla vs. MarQuel Mederos: Padilla has had a little bit of a surprising, underdog-style run so far in the UFC. “Taco” has developed a nice little win streak for himself, and now he’s being matched up against Mederos, a tough up-and-comer with just one loss on his resume so far. There is still some to be desired for Mederos despite his hype. Mederos got the first-round finish in his DWCS appearance, but his first two Octagon performances weren’t great. He did seem to put things together in his UFC 318 win over Mark Choinski, however. Padilla’s striking, toughness, and opponent history give him the edge here; however, the better pick is about two tough guys that probably make this bout see the final horn. (Prediction: Padilla) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-225])

    Kelvin Gastelum vs. Vicente Luque: These are two scrappy veterans who are both looking to show they still matter. In Luque’s case, it’s a jump to 185 as he looks for a fresh start in a new weight class — but against a very tough and durable fighter in Gastelum. Both are strong strikers, though Luque might have a strong edge if this fight gets to the ground. Gastelum, however, has faced tougher competition. Luque’s health is a concern, but Luque being as big an underdog as he is might be a bit much. (Prediction: Luque) (Best Bet: Luque ML [+225])

    Charles Radtke vs. Francisco Prado: Both these fighters are looking to pick up major momentum with a win here. For Radtke, it’s been ups and downs of late. For Prado, he came into the UFC with momentum as a 10-0 fighter, and he’s just 1-4 since, potentially fighting for his employment here. Prado might have had a couple of tough matchups, but Radtke has faced interesting competition as well. Radtke’s power and wrestling should help him get the win here. (Prediction: Radtke) (Best Bet: Radtke ML [-175])

  • Jiri Prochazka Shares Honest Take On Conor McGregor’s Potential UFC Comeback – ‘He Has To Prove That’

    Jiri Prochazka Shares Honest Take On Conor McGregor’s Potential UFC Comeback – ‘He Has To Prove That’

    Jiri Prochazka has never been one to hold back his opinions, and ahead of his return at UFC 327, the former champion shared his honest take on Conor McGregor’s long-awaited comeback.

    Prochazka, who is set to face Carlos Ulberg this weekend for the vacant light heavyweight title, has built his career on discipline and an all-in mindset. For “BJP”, that same level of commitment is non-negotiable in MMA.

    Jiri Prochazka Questions Conor McGregor’s Comeback Mindset

    During a recent appearance on Adin Ross’ livestream on Kick, Jiri Prochazka shared his thoughts on Conor McGregor’s potential comeback.

    “I really liked to watch Conor McGregor when he believed in himself, and he was in the right mood,” Prochazka said.

    “The Notorious” hasn’t competed since UFC 264 in July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. Although the former two-division champion was scheduled to return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024, the fight never materialized after he was forced to withdraw due to injury.

    Now, with talks of a comeback once again gaining traction, “BJP” believes the burden is entirely on McGregor to prove he still belongs at the elite level.

    “Who knows? He has to prove that. He has to show that,” Prochazka said.

    The former UFC light heavyweight champion emphasized that success in MMA demands total dedication, something he believes every fighter must embrace or step away from the sport.

    “In this game, there’s one rule. You are on top, burning, firing, and you can shine, or stay back. That’s the rule.”

  • Trump Confirmed for UFC 327 in Miami This Saturday

    UFC CEO Dana White confirmed via streamer Adin Ross that President Donald Trump will attend UFC 327 this Saturday in Miami.

    The event takes place April 11 at the Kaseya Center, the same Miami venue where Trump attended UFC 314 last April, becoming the first sitting president to attend a UFC event.

    UFC 327 is headlined by a vacant light heavyweight title fight between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg, with the flyweight title on the line in the co-main as Joshua Van defends against Tatsuro Taira. The card is one of the most stacked of 2026.

    Trump’s relationship with the UFC runs deep. White introduced Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention, and the two are currently co-planning UFC Freedom Fights 250 at the White House on June 14, set to coincide with Trump’s 80th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary.

  • Jiri Prochazka Confronts Trash-Talking Prospect After Wild Backstage Rant At UFC 327 Media Day

    Jiri Prochazka Confronts Trash-Talking Prospect After Wild Backstage Rant At UFC 327 Media Day

    Jiri Prochazka found himself in an unexpected confrontation ahead of UFC 327, after Josh Hokit caused a scene during media day in Miami.

    Hokit is set to face Curtis Blaydes in the biggest test of his young career, while Prochazka remains locked in on his main event clash against Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight title this Saturday at the Kaseya Center.

    The rising heavyweight prospect, who has quickly gained attention for his over-the-top persona, made a loud entrance before even stepping onto the stage.

    His ranting could be heard echoing through the hallway, and as he approached, it became clear his remarks were directed at Prochazka, who had just wrapped up his media obligations.

    Jiri Prochazka Shuts Down Josh Hokit’s Backstage Outburst On UFC 327 Media Day

    As Hokit approached, waving a toy lightsaber and hurling insults, Prochazka remained seated and calm. But when the situation edged closer, the UFC former light heavyweight champion stood up and drew a line.

    “Man, stay where you are,” Prochazka said.

    Still in character, Hokit escalated things further with a bizarre threat.

    “I’ll cut you up, homie. And f*cking stitch your head on Alex Pereira’s body.”

    Despite the intensity of the moment, the exchange stopped short of turning physical. “BJP” disengaged quickly, choosing not to feed into the spectacle.

  • Jiri Prochazka Warns Carlos Ulberg Ahead of UFC 327 Title Fight

    Jiri Prochazka is preparing for another shot at gold, and this time, he’s ready to do whatever it takes to get his hand raised.

    The former champion is set to headline UFC 327 against Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight title this weekend at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

    While the matchup is expected to be competitive, “BJP” has made it clear he’s not approaching this fight in a predictable way.

    Jiri Prochazka Plans To Adapt Style Against Carlos Ulberg

    Jiri Prochazka, speaking on the UFC 327 Countdown, suggested he could completely adjust his approach against Carlos Ulberg, including taking the fight to the ground if necessary, despite being known for his unorthodox striking and relentless pressure.

    “Carlos is a great striker. Of course, I have some strategy, we have some tactics with my team,” Prochazka said. “I saw a lot of spaces where I can catch him. Also on the ground, I think he believes he his ground, but he didn’t prove it enough. It doesn’t matter if I have to change my style, if I have to fight on the ground, change my stance, I adjust. I will not stop until I find the right moment, how to win, and show him that there is no opponent like me in his career.”

    Despite the talk of adjustments, the 33-year-old Czech Republican still believes his finishing ability will ultimately make the difference on fight night.

    “I want to show my best, I’m prepared to do that,” he said. “I believe sooner or later I can catch him, and I will take the belt.”

    Prochazka is no stranger to championship success. He first captured the light heavyweight title with a dramatic submission win over Glover Teixeira at UFC 275 in June 2022. However, his reign was short-lived as he was forced to vacate the belt due to a serious shoulder injury.

    “BJP” enters UFC 327 with momentum on his side. He holds a professional record of 32-5-1 and is riding back-to-back stoppage victories over Khalil Rountree Jr. and Jamahal Hill. His only two losses inside the Octagon have come against Alex Pereira.

  • UFC 327 Start Time, Fight Card, How To Watch

    Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg will compete for the vacant light heavyweight championship at UFC 327 on April 11 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The event marks the second time in less than a year that the venue will host a title fight to crown a new champion.

    The main event comes after Alexander Volkanovski defeated Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight title at the same building in April 2025.

    Start Times And Broadcast Information

    UFC 327 begins with early prelims at 5:30 PM ET, followed by prelims at 7:00 PM ET and the main card at 9:00 PM ET. West Coast viewers can tune in starting at 2:30 PM PST for early prelims, with the main card beginning at 6:00 PM PST.

    Paramount+ will stream the entire event at no additional cost for subscribers who previously watched UFC events via ESPN. UK fans will require a TNT Sports subscription, as broadcasting rights remain unchanged in that region.

    Card Changes And Main Card Lineup

    The event suffered a significant blow one week out when Joshua Van withdrew from his flyweight title defense against Tatsuro Taira in the scheduled co-main event. The matchup has been rescheduled for UFC 328 on May 9 as a co-headlining bout.

    The main card features a light heavyweight-heavy lineup. Azamat Murzakanov faces Paulo Costa, while Dominick Reyes meets Johnny Walker in separate 205-pound contests. Curtis Blaydes takes on Josh Hokit at heavyweight, and Cub Swanson battles Nate Landwehr at featherweight in his final UFC fight.

    The prelims include Patricio Pitbull versus Aaron Pico at featherweight, Kevin Holland against Randy Brown at welterweight, and Mateusz Gamrot facing Esteban Ribovics at lightweight. Tatiana Suarez meets Loopy Godinez in women’s strawweight action.

    Early prelims showcase MarQuel Mederos versus Chris Padilla at lightweight, Kelvin Gastelum against Vicente Luque at middleweight, and Charles Radtke taking on Francisco Prado at welterweight. Here is the full card:

    Main card:

    • Light heavyweight title fight: Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg
    • Light heavyweight: Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa
    • Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit
    • Light heavyweight: Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker
    • Featherweight: Cub Swanson vs. Nate Landwehr

    Prelims:

    • Featherweight: Patricio Pitbull vs. Aaron Pico
    • Welterweight: Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown
    • Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot vs. Esteban Ribovics
    • Women’s strawweight: Tatiana Suarez vs. Loopy Godinez

    Early Prelims:

    • Lightweight: MarQuel Mederos vs. Chris Padilla
    • Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Vicente Luque
    • Welterweight: Charles Radtke vs. Francisco Prado
  • Jiri Prochazka Gets Honest About Unusual Training Habits Ahead Of UFC 327 – ‘This Is Really Not Smart’

    Jiri Prochazka Gets Honest About Unusual Training Habits Ahead Of UFC 327 – ‘This Is Really Not Smart’

    Jiri Prochazka has built a reputation for unconventional training methods throughout his MMA career, and the former UFC light heavyweight champion recently explained the philosophy behind his extreme approach.

    “BJP” has become known for pushing physical and mental boundaries, from trekking alone into mountains without maps to swimming 30 meters beneath frozen lakes.

    During a recent appearance on the Dan Le Batard Show, Prochazka addressed the attention surrounding his unconventional training habits. When his methods were labeled as “crazy,” he rejected that notion and offered his own perspective on the approach.

    “Crazy for who?” Prochazka said. “Maybe crazy for somebody who doesn’t know that. Every high-level athlete, the sport on the top level is not so healthy, not so usual, not so normal. That’s why we have to be a little bit above the normal line. And I like to go through these levels, which is behind normal.”

    Confronting Fear Through Extreme Challenges

    For Jiri Prochazka, the extreme training serves a specific purpose: confronting and controlling fear. He described his ice-swimming challenge from last year as a transformative experience that provided knowledge beyond his imagination.

    “I like the challenges. It’s terrifying, but it’s about calm the mind in every aspect of your life,” Prochazka explained. “These challenges gave me the opportunity to control myself as much as I can. So, that’s why I do these things. And this challenge, last year, swimming under the ice, was like when you’re trying something for the first time in your life. Like sex. You do that, and then you know. Until that moment, you don’t know, you have just an imagination about that. But after that, you really know what it’s about.”

    While the 33-year-old Czech native stands by his unconventional approach, he acknowledged that maturity and impending fatherhood have brought perspective. He admitted some past decisions, particularly solo mountain expeditions without proper preparation, were reckless.

    “I would do all of these things, but what I learned: do it more professionally,” Prochazka said. “I did many times, I just took the bag and all this equipment, and I just went to the mountains somewhere. I didn’t take a map, I just went to the mountains, and I lost myself, and I just tried to survive there for a few days, and it was not fun. It was just not funny. It just survives. This is not smart. This is really not smart, because you have to know the rules.”

    Prochazka is set to face Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 327 this Saturday at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

    “BJP” was last seen in action at UFC 320 in October 2025, where he secured a knockout win over Khalil Rountree Jr. He currently holds a 6-2 record in the UFC, with both of his losses coming against Alex Pereira.

  • Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira Title Fight Rebooked For UFC 328

    Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira Title Fight Rebooked For UFC 328

    The UFC flyweight championship matchup between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira, originally scheduled for UFC 327, has been rescheduled for UFC 328.

    Hours ago, reports circulated, originally from MMA Fighting, that Van has been forced out of UFC 327 for undisclosed reasons. The UFC had not announced an update on the fight to that point.

    During the UFC Vegas 115 broadcast, the promotion confirmed Van’s withdrawal from UFC 327; however, they stated the bout would only be delayed by a month. It is now booked for the co-main event of UFC 328.

    This will mark Van’s first title defense since winning the championship from Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323.

    Taira also competed at UFC 323, earning this title shot by finishing former two-time champion Brandon Moreno.

    UFC 327 takes place from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on April 11. The main event sees Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg to determine the new UFC light heavyweight champion.

    UFC 328 takes place on May 9 from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main event will feature Khamzat Chimaev defending the UFC middleweight championship against former champ Sean Strickland.

  • UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van Out Of Title Defense At UFC 327

    UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van Out Of Title Defense At UFC 327

    UFC 327 has taken a major hit, as the UFC flyweight championship co-main event will not go on as scheduled.

    Per a report from Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting, UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van has withdrawn from next weekend’s numbered UFC card.

    As of press time, there is no word on why Van has withdrawn. Cruz’s report cites “undisclosed reasons.”

    It is also unclear if planned title challenger Tatsuro Taira will fight for an interim title or if the planned Van vs. Taira title fight will be pushed back to another card.

    Some members of the MMA community on social media, including Magic M and Caposa, seemed to have hinted at the latter.

    This was to be Van’s first defense of the UFC flyweight title. He won the belt at UFC 323 after Alexandre Pantoja suffered an injury during their fight.

    That same night, Taira earned a title shot by finishing former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno.

    One title fight for UFC 327 remains — the main event featuring Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg for the to-be-vacant UFC light heavyweight championship.

    UFC 327 takes place on April 11 from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

  • UFC 327 Full Card Announced: Prochazka vs. Ulberg for Vacant LHW Title

    UFC 327 Full Card Announced: Prochazka vs. Ulberg for Vacant LHW Title

    UFC 327 Main Event

    Dana White has officially announced the full fight card for UFC 327, which takes place on April 11, 2026, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The event is headlined by Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, with a stacked card featuring two title fights and 13 bouts in total.

    The light heavyweight title became vacant after Alex Pereira vacated the belt to pursue a move to heavyweight, where he is reportedly set to fight Ciryl Gane for an interim heavyweight title at UFC 328. With Pereira out of the picture at 205 pounds, the UFC wasted no time booking a title fight between the division’s top two contenders.

    Prochazka vs. Ulberg Headlines a Double Title Fight Card

    Prochazka, ranked #2, is a former light heavyweight champion who knocked out Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 to re-establish himself as one of the division’s most dangerous fighters. The Czech star originally won the belt at UFC 275 before losing it to Pereira.

    Ulberg, ranked #3, enters the bout riding a nine-fight winning streak. The New Zealand native has been vocal about wanting a title shot, and threw down the gauntlet after knocking out Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth late last year.

    The co-main event features flyweight champion Joshua Van (c) making his first title defense against #3-ranked Tatsuro Taira. Van won the flyweight title at UFC 323 after Alexandre Pantoja suffered a broken arm in one of the most shocking title changes in UFC history.

    Full UFC 327 Main Card (9 PM ET, Paramount+)

    • Jiri Prochazka (#2) vs. Carlos Ulberg (#3) — Vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
    • Joshua Van (c) vs. Tatsuro Taira (#3) — UFC Flyweight Championship
    • Curtis Blaydes (#4) vs. Josh Hokit — Heavyweight
    • Beneil Dariush (#12) vs. Manuel Torres (#14) — Lightweight
    • Dominick Reyes (#10) vs. Johnny Walker (#12) — Light Heavyweight
    UFC 327 Main Card

    Full UFC 327 Prelims (7 PM ET, Paramount+)

    • Azamat Murzakanov (#6) vs. Paulo Costa — Light Heavyweight
    • Patricio Pitbull (#12) vs. Aaron Pico — Featherweight
    • Mateusz Gamrot (#7) vs. Esteban Ribovics — Lightweight
    • Cub Swanson vs. Nate Landwehr — Featherweight
    • Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown — Welterweight
    • Kelvin Gastelum vs. Vicente Luque — Middleweight
    • Tatiana Suarez (#2) vs. Loopy Godinez (#6) — Women’s Strawweight
    • Christopher Alvidrez vs. Francisco Prado — Welterweight
    UFC 327 Prelims

    Notable Matchups on the Undercard

    The prelims are loaded with compelling fights. Paulo Costa makes his light heavyweight debut against the #6-ranked Azamat Murzakanov in a bout that could establish Costa as a legitimate player at 205 pounds.

    Patricio Pitbull vs. Aaron Pico is a matchup years in the making between two former Bellator stars. The two were previously scheduled to fight in Bellator before the bout fell through, and Pitbull has been publicly calling out Pico since his UFC signing.

    Mateusz Gamrot vs. Esteban Ribovics is a rematch of their closely contested first fight, with Gamrot looking to bounce back after a submission loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326.

    UFC 327 airs live on Paramount+ on Saturday, April 11, with prelims starting at 7 PM ET and the main card at 9 PM ET.

  • Khamzat Chimaev vs. Jiří Procházka Reportedly Targeted for UFC 327 Main Event

    Khamzat Chimaev vs. Jiří Procházka Reportedly Targeted for UFC 327 Main Event

    UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev is reportedly being targeted to face former light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 327 on April 11 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

    The rumor was first reported by MMA content creator @realkevink on social media. UFC has not officially confirmed the matchup

    The report suggests Chimaev (15-0) would vacate his middleweight title to pursue a second championship at 205 pounds, bypassing any defense of the belt he won by dominating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August.

    On his JAXXON Podcast appearance Friday, Chimaev expressed his desire to become a two-division champion. “I want to become double champion,” Chimaev said. “I am not like these guys who try to take their retirement from UFC undefeated. I just want to make big fights.”

    The move to light heavyweight would mark the third weight class of Chimaev’s UFC career after competing at both welterweight and middleweight. Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman recently suggested on his Pound 4 Pound podcast that Chimaev has simply outgrown 185 pounds, with reports placing his walking weight between 225 and 230 pounds.

    Procházka (32-5-1) has rebuilt momentum in the light heavyweight division with back-to-back stoppage victories over Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 in January 2025 and Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320 in October 2025. The former champion’s only UFC losses have come against Alex Pereira, who is widely expected to vacate the 205-pound title to pursue a heavyweight move.

    Notably, this report conflicts with an earlier rumor from Brazilian outlet MMA Hoje, which targeted Procházka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 327, with Pereira facing Ciryl Gane for interim heavyweight gold at UFC 328. Whether the Chimaev matchup has replaced that plan or represents a competing report remains unclear.

    The UFC 327 card is already taking shape with a confirmed co-main event featuring flyweight champion Joshua Van defending his title against Tatsuro Taira. Additional bouts include Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker, Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown, and Paulo Costa’s light heavyweight debut against Azamat Murzakanov.

  • Paulo Costa Making Light Heavyweight Debut Against Azamat Murzakanov At UFC 327

    Paulo Costa Making Light Heavyweight Debut Against Azamat Murzakanov At UFC 327

    Despite a win in his last outing, Paulo Costa will be taking on a new challenge — a new weight class — in his next bout.

    Per a report from Laerte Viana, the former UFC middleweight title challenger will be moving up to light heavyweight.

    Costa’s first fight at the weight class will be quite the test, taking on the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327.

    Costa had been scheduled to compete at UFC 326 against Brunno Ferriera. He’s since been replaced in the bout by Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues.

    Paulo Costa vs. Azamat Murzanakov Booked For UFC 327

    Costa has gone 2-4 in the UFC, with a number of withdrawals and re-bookings, since unsuccessfully challenging Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 253.

    After missing all of 2023, Costa dropped decisions to Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland in 2024. He, however, successfully returned at UFC 318 with a decision win over Roman Kopylov.

    Murzakanov is 16-0 in the sport, including a 6-0 UFC record since arriving from Dana White’s Contender Series. Murzakanov scored the biggest win of his career at UFC 321 in October, knocking out Aleksandar Rakic.

    UFC 327 takes place on April 11 in Miami.