Last evening (Sat., April 11, 2026), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) ventured forth to Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida for UFC 327. Was this the deepest numbered event since UFC 300? Maybe Jon Anik was onto one thing! There had been nice fights from prime to backside, like Kelvin Gastelum vs. Vicente Luque on the early “Prelims” card. The high quality of bouts solely improved because the evening wore on all the way in which as much as the vacant Light Heavyweight title matchup between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg.
There’s so much to speak about, so let’s have a look again over the perfect performances and methods of the night:
To Thine Own Self Be True?
It’s honest to say Jiri Prochazka’s code of honor simply value him two-time UFC champion standing.
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Nothing had actually occurred but when Carlos Ulberg blew out his personal knee whereas throwing a verify hook. Prochazka acknowledged the harm and began kicking his different leg, actively feinting and attempting to time a giant punch. Meanwhile, Ulberg was tripping far and wide, struggling to face. The easy resolution for Prochazka was to maintain kicking the leg, wrestle a bit, or simply stall till between rounds when the cageside physician most likely would have intervened.
That just isn’t how “The Czech Samurai” operates. He continued to pursue Ulberg, invited him to throw down repeatedly, and walked right into a left hook from hell. Even contemplating the Alex Pereira losses, it’s probably the toughest single shot Prochazka has ever absorbed just because it landed so completely on the purpose of the chin. Prochazka’s jaw snapped again, and a brand new champion was topped.
Ulberg deserves main credit score for persevering with to consider in himself and preventing for the end regardless of his harm, however Prochazka gave this one away.
Paulo Costa Digs Deep
For the primary time in his UFC profession, Paulo Costa melded each of his kinds efficiently.
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In spherical one, we noticed stick-and-move Costa at his greatest. His proper leg has lengthy been one in all his biggest weapons, and it’s particularly helpful in opposition to Southpaw opposition. As Azamat Murzakanov tried to march ahead and field, Costa was evasive and blasting that proper leg in any respect targets. He chewed up the calf and midsection, forcing Murzakanov to hesitate. As a end result, Costa was capable of land some counter punches as effectively, stinging the previously undefeated knockout artist.
In spherical two, Costa’s ft slowed a bit, a pure consequence of being a large beefy boy who simply spent 5 minutes together with his dancing sneakers on. As a end result, Murzakanov — although worn down by consuming all these kicks — was capable of finding the pocket and land some heavy photographs. Costa fired again and tried to wrestle, however he undoubtedly misplaced the second body and the momentum.
With his again to the wall and the struggle up for grabs, Costa decided. Rather than attempt to proceed preventing on the surface — which is extremely troublesome to do as soon as drained — “Borrachinha” planted his ft and began advancing. He nonetheless attacked primarily with energy proper kicks, however now Costa was kicking on his personal initiative and forcing Murzakanov onto the defensive. In essence, Costa switched again to the mauling mode of preventing that noticed him stand up the Middleweight ranks all these years in the past.
It labored brilliantly! Murzakanov, drained and badly broken already, couldn’t simply stroll by way of these kicks and attempt to punch. He discovered himself utterly caught on the surface, a heavy bag for Costa’s proper leg. Before too lengthy, the Brazilian went upstairs with two stunning excessive kicks, and the second landed clear sufficient to sit down down Murzakanov for good.
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Is {that a} title shot-worthy efficiency?
Josh Hokit Arrives
Heading into UFC 327, I believe all of us assumed Josh Hokit was merely taking part in a personality to troll struggle followers. After his warfare with Curtis Blaydes, nonetheless, I’m now totally satisfied “The Incredible Hok” is an precise insane individual. Chael Sonnen and Colby Covington dedicated to their bits, however neither man flipped off their opponent repeatedly whereas dead-tired and taking huge punches from a a lot larger opponent.
The first spherical of Hokit vs. Blaydes was absurd. Hokit landed about two dozen full energy proper palms, practically knocking out Blaydes greater than as soon as within the opening couple minutes. Blaydes used his wrestling to outlive, scoring a pair takedowns however restricted management time. Between the wrestling and his early dash, Hokit was exhausted, permitting Blaydes to tee off and return the favor with many arduous connections of his personal.
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The remaining 10 minutes had been absolute chaos between two very fatigued Heavyweights. Both males continued to throw at a excessive quantity, and Hokit’s proper hand landed with horrifying consistency. Every time it appeared like his hand pace would permit him to drag away, Blaydes would work his method again into the scrap with a stiff jab or thudding clinch punches. He couldn’t make up for the pace distinction, nonetheless, and Blaydes’ wrestling stopped working as he fatigued. With each males touchdown, Hokit’s quickness and energy noticed him land the extra definitive blows and thus seize rounds two and three.
It was a hell of an introduction to elite Heavyweight competitors.
Swanson’s Perfect Swan Song
Cub Swanson ended his profession immaculately by destroying Nate Landwehr.
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Swanson has at all times been a technical brawler, an extremely distinctive striker with an simply identifiable fashion. There are professionals and cons to his hands-low, full-commitment kickboxing method, however this was a showcase. Swanson pummeled Landwehr so totally that this efficiency alone might function a dissertation on why “Killer Cub” has been so efficient for therefore lengthy.
Even at 42 years of age, Swanson was shockingly fast. From the primary bell, he used that pace to take initiative, hiding arduous calf kicks to get Landwehr hesitating. Then, Swanson attacked totally, stepping deep into highly effective swings whereas at all times ensuring to take his head off the middle line. Several of Swanson’s greatest lands got here from the Southpaw stance, as he would blitz in behind his left hand whereas concurrently slipping to the surface.
There was an amazing second the place Swanson realized he had his opponent damage and will afford to let free. He began tying collectively kicks and punches, ripping the physique, and increasing his combos in savvy and violent trend.
The veteran was having actual enjoyable in his last moments as a UFC fighter — how might you script it any higher?
Gamrot Grinds
Mateusz Gamrot efficiently defended his Top 10 place in opposition to Esteban Ribovics in nice fashion.
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Despite Ribovics’ slick and highly effective kickboxing, Gamrot was in full management from the primary bell. He wasted little time in attending to his wrestling, forcing Ribovics into the precise type of transition-filled grappling match that “Gamer” prefers. In these transitions, he was a transparent step forward of the up-and-coming Argentinian, persistently advancing his place and placing Ribovics deeper into the opening.
Gamrot is thought for shut, aggressive fights, however that wasn’t the case right here. He largely shut down a gifted younger fighter and managed him till the arm triangle opened up, which is a stellar technique to return to the win column. Though he’s nonetheless not in speedy title competition, Gamrot will stay a participant within the higher echelon of 155-pound competitors.
As for Ribovics? Let’s give him a 12 months or two to enhance his defensive wrestling earlier than his subsequent shot at an elite Lightweight.
Tatiana Suarez’s Quiet Victory
Former Strawweight title challenger Tatiana Suarez defended her Top Five rating with a beautiful submission win over Loopy Godinez.
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It wasn’t a straightforward victory. Godinez shocked her within the first spherical, and Suarez initially had bother controlling the Mexican standout. By the second, nonetheless, Suarez’s physicality actually wore her foe down, permitting her to settle into prime place and get to work. Once on the again, the rear bare choke end got here shortly for Suarez’s first tapout win since August 2023.
Perhaps extra importantly, Suarez has efficiently fought thrice within the final 14 months — a giant deal and main accomplishment. For those that don’t keep in mind, Suarez was on the quick monitor to UFC gold method again in 2019 earlier than accidents sidelined her for 4 years. She fought twice in 2023, however once more, she ended up injured for many of two years till her sudden and ill-fated title shot versus Zhang Weili.
Consistency issues within the cage, and Suarez has seemingly discovered it. It’s nice that she simply completed a Top 10-ranked contender, however being wholesome sufficient to compete usually could be the larger victory right here.
Additional Thoughts
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Aaron Pico defeats Patricio Pitbull through unanimous resolution: Pico’s sophomore UFC efficiency was an plain enchancment over his first look. Nobody has ever questioned Pico’s athleticism or ability, however he’s not at all times the perfect at making use of his items safely. This time round, he did effectively to make use of his pace to land punishing combos then withdraw, refusing to admire his personal work and get clipped by a Pitbull counter … being a decade youthful additionally helped, after all. Pitbull scored some arduous low kicks and a pair good proper palms early on, however Pico efficiently gained a way of his timing and prevented consuming something too disastrous after the primary spherical. All in all, it was higher work from Pico, however I can’t assist however really feel one other knockout loss is coming. He nonetheless overcommitted to his punches pretty usually and couldn’t do a lot together with his prime management. When Pitbull did crack him, there have been small moments during which Pico appeared to freeze — a foul signal.
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Vicente Luque defeats Kelvin Gastelum through first-round anaconda choke (highlights): This matchup of declined contenders delivered the violence. Gastelum struck first, timing some good counters and an early takedown. Luque stayed composed, regained his footing, and located some low kicks in response. When the 2 stepped into the pocket late within the first, Luque slipped his head off the middle line and cracked Gastelum with a mixture, flooring the previous title challenger. As Gastelum tried to outlive, Luque wrapped up his trademark anaconda choke — it was the basic Luque club-and-sub, a typical sequence circa 2020 or so. Luque’s sudden Middleweight transfer raised eyebrows, however maybe it has purchased him extra time as a UFC-level motion fighter? At a minimal, he’s again within the win column.