A number of the MMA group imagine UFC 327 has simply as many stacked bouts on its combat card as UFC 300 did in 2024.
One similarity between these two occasions is that the headliner is the UFC Gentle Heavyweight Championship bout between two intriguing strikers.
Jiri Prochazka tries to regain the 205-pound title after successful it at UFC 275, earlier than vacating the belt later in 2022, whereas Carlos Ulberg goals to profit from his first title shot.
Here’s what it is advisable find out about the principle occasion, in addition to three different bouts that may curiosity you on the Miami numbered occasion.
Prochazka looking for gold once more
The Czech combined martial artist is getting ready for his fourth UFC championship combat in simply his ninth look with the organisation.
The 33-year-old’s final two makes an attempt had been thwarted by Alex Pereira, who vacated the title to maneuver as much as heavyweight in his bid to turn out to be a three-division champion.
Each of Prochazka’s losses to ‘Poatan’ ended with a second-round TKO loss, the primary one being a untimely stoppage at UFC 295, earlier than a brutal ending initially of spherical two at UFC 303.
Nonetheless, regardless of his knockout losses, ‘BJP’ continues to be seen as one of the vital harmful fighters to face within the mild heavyweight division.
The Znojmo-born fighter is on back-to-back third-round knockout wins in opposition to respectable opponents, Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.
Solely certainly one of his eight fights within the UFC has lasted greater than three rounds, which is the place he submitted Glover Teixeira within the fifth spherical to turn out to be a UFC Champion.
The lethal knockout artist has solely gone the space as soon as in his MMA profession, salvaging 28 KO/TKO wins and three submissions from 32 victories.
It appears destined that Prochazka will return to the 205-pound throne, however he can’t afford to underestimate his opponent and lose one other likelihood at changing into a two-time champion.
Ulberg lastly in his rightful place
After repeatedly extending his win streak to 9, ‘Black Jag’ has lastly been given the golden alternative, which he goals to take full benefit of.
The Auckland-born fighter has needed to conquer former champions and title challengers resembling Jan Blachowicz, Dominick Reyes and Volkan Oezdemir.
The 35-year-old has solely been defeated as soon as in his combined martial arts profession, which occurred on his UFC debut, shedding to Kennedy Nzechukwu by second-round knockout.
Since then, Ulberg has gained a lot successful momentum that it seems to be like he’s not going to be on the receiving finish of a loss anytime quickly.
The New Zealander produced the third quickest knockout in UFC Gentle Heavyweight historical past when he stopped Alonzo Menifield in simply 12 seconds at UFC St Louis.
Within the greatest MMA organisation, the previous kickboxer has solely gone to the judges’ scorecards thrice, whereas incomes seven finishes.
The #3 mild heavyweight contender has a complete of 10 stoppage victories with 9 ending by KO/TKO and one by submission.
It’s actually the case that Ulberg is dealing with the hardest foe of his MMA profession, however a victory will make him a really respectable new champion.
Three different fights to observe at UFC 327
Azamat Murzakanov vs Paulo Costa
A former UFC Middleweight title challenger is stepping up a weight class to problem an undefeated 205-pound combined martial artist.
Murzakanov goals to extend his excellent document to 17 wins, incomes 12 knockouts to this point, which have occurred in his final three contests.
Costa returned to the win column at UFC 318, the place he defeated Roman Kopylov by unanimous choice, earlier than making his choice to maneuver as much as mild heavyweight.
‘The Skilled’ could be one combat away from a title shot as he stands at #6 within the rankings, however the Brazilian might sneak a stunning underdog win if all goes to plan.
Curtis Blaydes vs Josh Hokit
This heavyweight matchup encompasses a high contender veteran who faces the strain of shedding to an unranked opponent on the Kaseya Middle.
Blaydes redeemed his interim title loss by edging a cut up choice win in opposition to Rizvan Kuniev in his final bout, conserving him within the high 5 of the rankings.
Hokit solely entered the UFC final yr in November, claiming a first-round knockout on his debut earlier than gaining one other knockout win at UFC 324.
‘The Unimaginable Hok’ has a uncommon alternative to spice up up the heavyweight division in his third UFC look, however Blaydes’ expertise could make it too powerful of a process to drag off.
Patricio Pitbull vs. Aaron Pico
The featured preliminary matchup showcases two recognisable former Bellator fighters going head-to-head in a featherweight showdown.
Pitbull entered the 145-pound high 15 in his final contest after going the space to defeat Dan Ige by unanimous choice at UFC 318.
Pico made his debut in his final combat, being on the receiving finish of a Knockout of the Yr contender when he was stopped within the first spherical by Lerone Murphy at UFC 319.
Each males shall be desperate to triumph at UFC 327 and can goal to make a press release in Miami as they’ve carried out loads of instances in a special promotion.
