Paulo Costa still sees middleweight in his future after UFC 327

Paulo Costa's move to light heavyweight was for a specific reason.

Costa (15-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) meets Azamat Murzakanov (16-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in a 205-pound bout at UFC 327 (Paramount+) on April 11 from Kaseya Center in Miami.

The former UFC middleweight title challenger fought only once in 2025, when he snapped a two-fight losing skid with a win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318. Costa was scheduled to face Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326 but withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. So, why the sudden jump to light heavyweight?

"For this fight, because there was a good opportunity to fight somebody well ranked at light heavyweight," Costa said on "The Ariel Helwani Show." "Middleweight was a little bit – nobody was available, so this is a good match, a good opportunity to fight a good fighter, and be working, be busy. I can make 185 anytime."

Costa sees Murzakanov as a big fight, but that doesn't mean his middleweight days are over.

"He's undefeated, and he's No. 6," Costa said of Murzakanov. "He was supposed to fight Magomed Ankalaev, so he's a good name. He's the best name that was available for me right now. We don't know. I'm just saying we can go back to 185 anytime. It's not something I can't make anymore. I can fight at middleweight, as well, but I just saw the opportunity, so I don't know. Let's see after this fight what's going on."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 327: Paulo Costa won't rule out middleweight despite booking