Former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa moved up to the light heavyweight division to take on No. 6 ranked Azamat Murzakanov in Saturday’s UFC 327 co-main event.
Costa entered the fight coming off a decision win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 last July. It had been nearly five years since he fought in the 205-pound division when he stepped in the cage at Kaseya Center in Miami.
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Murzakanov made the walk to the octagon an undefeated fighter (16-0) having finished five of his UFC opponents. The Russia was looking to ruin Costa’s return to the weight class.
They met in the middle. Costa landed first with a leg kick. Murzakanov bounced on the outside, in and out. Costa delivered a hard leg kick. Murzakanov responded with a jab. Costa continued to land leg kicks. He delivered one to the body. Murzakanov pressed forward and landed to the body. Costa landed another kick to the body. Murzakanov was accidentally poked in the eye and given time to recover.
When the action restarted, Costa went back to landing leg kicks. Murzakanov moved forward and connected with a right hand. Murzakanov landed a combination and Costa circled away. Costa landed a hard right hand. His leg kicks continued to find a home. Costa hurt Murzakanov and caused him to stumble to the ground. Costa followed him to the canvas and landed hard elbows. Murzakanov worked his way back to his feet. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Costa.
Murzakanov pressed forward but was met with a leg kick. Costa moved on the outside just out of Murzakanov’s range. He continued to use leg kicks. Costa was landed at a rate of 70%/. Murzakanov was landing at a rate of 17%. Costa may have slowed but he landed a kick to the body. Murzakanov stepped in with a left. Murzakanov continued forward pressure. He landed a hard left hand followed by another. He landed to the body. Costa walked into a left hand. Murzakanov’s punches seem to heavier. Costa landed to the body an Murzakanov tossed him to the canvas. Costa got to his feet and they worked for position along the cage. Costa delivered knee to the body. Murzakanov’s face was bloodied. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Murzakanov.
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Costa opened the final round with a le kick. Joe went high with one and pressed forward. Costa landed a clean right hand. Costa pressured Murzakanov. Costa landed a head kick and Murzakanov fell to the canvas. The referee stopped it.
The official time of the TKO victory was 1:23 of the third round.
