At UFC 327, held at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, Paulo Costa faced Azamat Murzakanov in a highly anticipated co-main event. Costa, a former middleweight title challenger, moved up to the light heavyweight division after nearly five years. He entered the fight with a recent victory over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318. Murzakanov, ranked No. 6 and boasting an undefeated record of 16-0, aimed to maintain his perfect streak. The bout showcased Costa's striking prowess, particularly his effective leg kicks, which he landed at a rate of 70%. The fight turned in Costa's favor as he landed a decisive head kick that sent Murzakanov to the canvas, prompting the referee to stop the contest at 1:23 of the third round, marking Murzakanov's first professional loss.