UFC 327 results: Carlos Ulberg shockingly KOs Jiri Prochazka to win title on one leg after blowing out knee

If memory serves, I can't say I've ever bet against Procházka — outside of maybe his Pereira rematch.

And I don't plan to start now.

The collective MMA world certainly appreciates the glorious madness that Procházka brings, but somehow he still feels underappreciated. When conversations turn to the most entertaining fighters of all time, Procházka is a name that demands inclusion. He's only gone the distance once in 38 appearances. Think about how absurd that is.

Procházka embodies innovation, uniqueness and awkwardness all at once. Few fighters throughout MMA history, especially at 205 pounds, have moved with the aggressively deceptive patterns of Procházka. But against much sharper technical strikers like Pereira, Procházka's awkwardness hasn't paid off. It could also be problematic against a cannon like Ulberg.

The rubber will meet the road early in this matchup — Procházka isn't necessarily a slow starter, but we've seen him walk through the fire and fall behind on the judges' scorecards many times. His most recent war with Khalil Rountree Jr. is a prime example — Procházka needed a finish and channeled his inner samurai spirit to march forward like a man possessed in Round 3. Ultimately, he delivered with a relentless flurry of forceful punches that no one has been able to withstand.

Ulberg will need to force the action early, which would be unlike his typical performances, despite some quick finishes on his record. As the level of competition has increased, so has Ulberg's fight IQ, leading him to more methodical approaches. But against Procházka, he'll want to launch heat-seeking missiles to close the show as quickly as he can. Otherwise, he'll be on his way to suffering the same late fate as many of Procházka's past victims.

In terms of experience, this fight favors Procházka too. His offense has always been lethal. Defensively, he's tightened previous holes and continually woven in new elements into his movement. As long as the former champion avoids a thumping Ulberg blow in the early rounds, expect to hear "and new" again for the Czech dynamo.

Pick: Procházka

It's Jiří Procházka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship.

LET'S GO FOR THAT!

Costa pops the jab early. They each attempt head kicks. Murzakanov takes a hard inside low kick. And another, as Murzakanov keeps pressing forward. Costa is nonstop on his bike because of this pressure. Murzakanov takes another body kick. He jabs nicely in return. Murzakanov starts to rip the body with hooks. Costa is starting to mouth breathe, but lands a good front kick to the body. He dug the toes with that one — then another. Murzakanov cracks him with a left hook backed up to the cage. They reset. Murzakanov jabs the body. He nails Costa with a big flurry, started by the left hand! He's on the hunt now. A slicing right overhand hits Costa! He's wobbling and clinches only to get hip-tossed. He teeps back. A body jab hurts Costa, then he hurts Murzakanov! Then Murzakanov sweeps him right into a scarfhold! Costa escapes! Murzakanov wall walks, but stays held by Costa. Murzakanov gets held to the cage in the final 10 seconds. He still wins that round comfortably.

10-9 Murzakanov. (19-19.)

Murzakanov plods forward, looking for his jab. He gets his foot chopped out from under him for a brief kneel down. Costa blasts off his right hand to no avail. Murzakanov is seeking the nuke. Costa is snapping off hard head kicks now, before taking a jab. Costa goes back to the inside leg, then sneaks in a nice body kick. He's mixing it up well now, but remains on the back foot trying to avoid danger. A Costa eye poke pauses the action. They get back to it, and Murzakanov is bouncy with his step, continuing to press heavily. Costa is moving as best as he can to avoid danger. Another hard body kick lands for Costa. He eats some hooks against the cage before another body kick lands. He fires a nice right straight to the ear of Murzakanov. That was well-timed. Costa stuns Murzakanov with a short jab! He wobbles o the ground and Costa takes top control from half guard. A hard elbow lands for Costa. He starts unloading as they stand. Murzakanov does his best to fire back. Tough first round for the Russian.

10-9 Costa.

After arguably his best overall career performance against Roman Koylov last year, Costa has decided to move up in weight to challenge an undefeated contender.

The Costa saga is an odd one, folks.

Costa's last appearance in the light heavyweight division was rough and controversial — he was a shell of himself in a 2021 decision loss to Marvin Vettori, especially compared to the force he was in his latest victory over Koylov. The circumstances were bizarre for that fight, as Costa and Vettori were originally booked to fight at 185 pounds — until Costa decided he didn't want to. With proper preparation this time, he should carry over his impressive form from the Koylov win. And he's going to need it.

Murzakanov had been touted as a questionable prospect with clear talent, but he was unproven due to the level of competition. It wasn't until he stopped perennial contender Aleksandar Rakic in October that the masses realized: Yeah, this dude can crack and he's no joke at light heavyweight.

Costa has only tasted defeat via strikes once, against Israel Adesanya in his lone UFC title fight. Tactically, Costa has all the tools to out-strike Murzakanov. As powerful as he's always been, Costa has stunningly failed to score a finish since 2018. His durability will be key to keeping him in this fight, but every time he gets touched, he'll be damaged, as Murzakanov consistently seeks the knockout blow. It should be a volume vs. damage affair, leaning in the Russian's favor as he ascends up the division.

Pick: Murzakanov