UFC 327: Main Card Predictions
Read Time:8 Minute, 23 Second
The UFC’s light heavyweight division enters a new chapter at UFC 327 as gold is back up for grabs, headlining a card filled with power, questions, and potential turning points across multiple weight classes.
At the top, former champion Jiří Procházka looks to reclaim the throne against surging contender Carlos Ulberg in a high-stakes clash for the vacant title. It’s a true stylistic collision with major implications for the future of the division in the post-Alex Pereira era.
Beyond the main event, the card features compelling matchups. From proven veterans to rising contenders, this card has a little bit of everything. Check out our main card predictions:
Light Heavyweight Championship
Jiří Procházka (2) vs. Carlos Ulberg (3)
Lee: Jiří Procházka, the former 2022 champion, looks to reclaim the title after two failed bids against Alex Pereira. Carlos Ulberg enters on a nine-fight win streak. He holds the third fastest KO in light heavyweight history when he knocked out Alonzo Menifield in 12 seconds.
Procházka has the grappling edge, but Ulberg is the more accurate striker. Both carry knockout power. Procházka thrives in exchanges, while Ulberg excels at avoiding clean shots. So this should be interesting.
Prediction: Carlos Ulberg via 2nd-Round KO/TKO
Evan: As bad as light heavyweight currently is, I’m not sure we could’ve asked for a better fight in the post-Poatan era. Jiří Procházka and Carlos Ulberg are without question the two most deserving guys to challenge for this vacant title at 205. Plus, the way they match up stylistically should produce a fun, entertaining, scrap however long it lasts.
Ulberg is undeniably the slicker, quicker, more technical, and polished striker of the two. There’s a scenario where he feasts on Procházka’s recklessness and willingness to take damage. According to UFC Stats, Jiří absorbs 5.60 significant strikes per minute, while Carlos lands 6.54 significant strikes per minute. That’s a potential recipe for disaster for the Czech samurai. Ulberg’s footwork, counter punching, angles, and elusiveness could end up melting Procházka.
On the flip side, Jiří has the knack of pulling his opponents into a chaotic brawl, where he thrives the most. Once there, his relentless, dynamic, offensive onslaught tends to overwhelm guys. It’s like they get stuck in quicksand with him and before they know it, can’t get out.
The only fighter Procházka hasn’t been able to do that to in his UFC tenure so far is Alex Pereira. Plus, people forget that Kennedy Nzechukwu knocked out the New Zealand contender back in 2021. Ulberg got tired in that fight after a hot start, ended up trapped against the cage, and got caught.
I see something similar happening in this bout. I think Jiří will weather the storm early, probably get hit a lot by Carlos, and even hurt. But slowly will drag him into a firefight and start to wear him down. I believe he’ll push and corral Ulberg past the black lines, up against the fence where Procházka’s torrential downpour of offense will eventually close the show.
Prediction: Jiří Procházka via 2nd or 3rd-Round KO/TKO
Light Heavyweight Bout
Azamat Murzakanov (6) vs. Paulo Costa
Lee: Paulo Costa is making his official debut at light heavyweight when he takes on the fast-charging Azamat Murzakanov. Costa isn’t a stranger to the division though. He fought Marvin Vettori at 205 pounds because he failed to make weight at 185. Murzakanov is undefeated in his UFC career and is coming off back-to-back first-round finishes.
Both guys land hard and will keep coming forward. Murzakanov uses a southpaw stance with explosive power which has been tough for his opposition to overcome. But, Costa’s experience and striking could pose a problem and force Murzakanov into a more technical style fight.
Prediction: Azamat Murzakanov via Split Decision
Evan: I like the move up to 205 for Paulo Costa, but man is the promotion throwing him into the fire right out of the gate. Murzakanov is going to be a tough out for just about everyone in the division. He’s got heavy hands, is calculated, and a sneaky good grappler. I don’t have any doubt that Paulo has the technical ability, gamesmanship, and power to compete with Azamat.
However, he tends to always either start slow or fade as the fight progresses. Costa gets stuck in first or second gear and just coasts in many of his previous bouts. Maybe now at light heavyweight he can change that since he’s not draining himself to cut down to 185 pounds.
But I don’t trust that he won’t fall into that similar pattern here, which doesn’t bode well for his chances of success against someone as stout as Murzakanov.
Prediction: Azamat Murzakanov via Unanimous Decision
Heavyweight Bout
Curtis Blaydes (5) vs. Josh Hokit
Lee: Curtis Blaydes brings 20 UFC fights into the cage against Josh Hokit, who has just two. So this a significant step up in competition, but one with high reward. Blaydes’ experience and power will be tested by Hokit’s grappling and submission ability. But, Blaydes is capable on the mat.
Hokit, who hasn’t seen a second round yet, will need to stay patient and pick his moments to implement his wrestling.
Prediction: Josh Hokit via 2nd-Round Submission
Evan: I can’t stand Josh Hokit. With that being said, the dude is clearly talented. Josh’s got athleticism, speed, and cardio for a heavyweight, with a collegiate All-American wrestling background as his foundation.
The crux of this fight is how much Curtis Blaydes has declined overall. If he’s still mostly the version of the guy we’ve seen throughout his career that has been a steady top five heavyweight, then I like his chances.
Blaydes’ experience, boxing, and own wrestling pedigree, could give Hokit some serious issues. Also, Curtis is the much bigger fighter of the two. He’s got a seven inch reach advantage and is nearly 30 pounds heavier than Josh. That might play a big factor in the exchanges on the feet and if Blaydes decides to utilize the clinch at all.
I’m pretty concerned though that in three of his last four Octagon appearances, Curtis was iced in the first round by both Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall. Then he barely edged out Rizvan Kuniev. That’s possibly a sign that he’s diminishing from a contender to a gatekeeper.
I’ll no doubt be rooting for Blaydes. But I believe Hokit is going to be hard for him to deal with. I see this being a breakout win and performance for the polarizing prospect.
Prediction: Josh Hokit via 1st or 2nd-Round KO/TKO
Light Heavyweight Bout
Dominick Reyes (10) vs. Johnny Walker (12)
Lee: In what could be viewed as a title eliminator, Dominick Reyes will go head-to-head with Johnny Walker in a light heavyweight showdown. Both guys have been a bit inconsistent and susceptible to first-round KO losses.
Reyes is at his best when he is in the southpaw stance and landing power shots. Walker has an unorthodox fighting style that he uses to deploy creative strikes. This fight is not going to be a technical masterpiece, but a clash of two different striking styles.
Both guys have power and both have questionable chins also. The winner of this fight will remain in the title picture and the loser will have to fight their way back to the top.
Prediction: Dominick Reyes via 1st-Round KO/TKO
Evan: I don’t really agree at all that this is a title eliminator or that either one of these guys is remotely close to being in the title picture at 205. Reyes and Walker are both extremely flawed, entertaining fighters who are trying to remain relevant at the back end of the top 15, of one of the weakest divisions in the sport currently.
There’s not much technical analysis to put into this one honestly. For me, it comes down to the fact that Dominick and Johnny have potent offensive striking, yet also are very chinny. Whoever lands first and durability holds up the most, will win here.
I’ll bet on Walker to have the slightest edge in those categories. But, it’s a coin flip matchup no matter how you slice it.
Prediction: Johnny Walker via 1st-Round KO/TKO
Featherweight Bout
Cub Swanson vs. Nate Landwehr
Lee: If this is Cub Swanson’s retirement fight, he is giving the UFC fans a banger against Nate Landwehr. Landwehr is a high volume and pressure fighter who forces exchanges with his opponent, which is right up Swanson’s alley. Swanson can turn a fight into a brawl also with his timing, counter punching, footwork and experience.
Landwehr is looking to rebound from back-to-back knockout losses. Swanson hasn’t fought since his KO win in December 2024. At his ripe age of 41, he keeps finding ways to get it done in the Octagon. Neither guy is looking to wrestle or grapple so this will be a standup war.
Prediction: Cub Swanson via 2nd-Round KO/TKO
Evan: This might not be the most high stakes, or high caliber matchup. But, it should be a quality main card opening scrap.
Landwehr has centered his entire career on being a cult of personality, with a style predicated on action. He’s essentially a glorified brawler, who is limited as a talent, but usually delivers fun fights. Making him the perfect dance partner for Swanson’s retirement outing, who himself is one of the best action fighters at featherweight of his generation.
Ultimately, I’m going to take Cub Swanson because I genuinely think even in a diminished state, he’s better than Nate in virtually every aspect of the game. I expect fireworks nonetheless in what should be a nice send off for Swanson.
Prediction: Cub Swanson via Unanimous Decision
Happy
100 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
About Post Author
