Bold statement first: Paulo Costa isn’t done with middleweight, even as he eyes a big move to light heavyweight. And this is the part most people miss: he’s weighing options, not abandoning 185 pounds for good.
Costa, who holds a 15-4 MMA record with 7-4 in the UFC, is scheduled to face Azamat Murzakanov (16-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in a 205-pound bout at UFC 327, set for April 11 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The bout will stream on Paramount+.
After a relatively quiet 2025—he fought only once, beating Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 to snap a two-fight skid—Costa had initially been slated to face Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326 but withdrew for undisclosed reasons. So why did he jump up to light heavyweight now?
“The reason for this fight is that there was a good opportunity to fight someone highly ranked at light heavyweight,” Costa explained on The Ariel Helwani Show. “Middleweight was a bit slow—nobody was available—so this is a solid matchup, a good opportunity to stay active and face a strong opponent. And I can make 185 pounds anytime.”
Costa views Murzakanov as a meaningful challenge: “He’s undefeated and he’s No. 6. He was supposed to fight Magomed Ankalaev, so he’s the best name available for me right now.” While Costa acknowledges Murzakanov’s status, he also stresses that a return to 185 pounds remains on the table. “I can fight at middleweight as well, but I saw this opportunity and took it. We’ll see what happens after this fight.”
This approach leaves the door open for a future where Costa toggles between 185 and 205, choosing fights that maximize momentum while staying true to his long-term goals in the sport.
