Azamat Murzakanov says title fight is within reach ahead of UFC 327

Azamat Murzakanov believes UFC 327 could be the moment that finally pushes him into title contention.

Still unbeaten in his professional career, Murzakanov has a chance to make his loudest statement yet when he faces Paulo Costa in Saturday’s co-main event. A convincing win on one of the year’s biggest cards could move the Russian contender a major step closer to fighting for UFC gold.

Murzakanov (16-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) will put his perfect record on the line against Costa (15-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) in a light heavyweight bout at Kaseya Center (Paramount+).

Although he has somewhat flown under the radar so far, Murzakanov, 36, sees his prime position on an anticipated fight card as his opportunity. The event is headlined by Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant 205-pound belt, meaning there's no better time for Murzakanov to declare his intentions as a contender.

"I think I'm very close," Murzakanov told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday's UFC 327 media day. "I think everything depends on this fight on Saturday. This is a big fight, this is an important fight. From then on, if everything goes according to plan, I think we're very, very close to a title shot."

Although Costa comes into the matchup unranked, the former middleweight title challenger carries a recognizable name and strong following. If Murzakanov can put him on the highlight reel, it would be valuable to his own career, and with full anticipation that it will happen, he just hopes Costa makes it through fight week.

"I feel good about the fact that he actually made it here," Murzakanov said. "That's great. I haven't seen him, but I think a good way to do it is just lock him up and wait until Saturday, and make sure he doesn't run away, then go ahead and fight him on Saturday."