Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris will miss Thursday's Game 3 against the Boston Bruins due to an...

<p>Buffalo Sabres center <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9904" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9904">Josh Norris</a> will miss Thursday's Game 3 against the Boston Bruins due to an undisclosed injury, head coach Lindy Ruff announced.</p><p>Ruff said Norris was "not feeling right," according to <a href="https://x.com/JAcostaTV/status/2047352604603072878?s=20">WGRZ's Jonathan Acosta</a>. He is considered day-to-day.</p><p>Norris was held off the scoresheet in the first two games of the opening-round series. In the regular season, the 26-year-old tallied 13 goals and 21 assists in 44 games.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/12702" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/12702">Noah Ostlund</a> will slide into the lineup as the third-line center with Norris out, Ruff said, according to the <a href="https://x.com/conroyherald/status/2047356342973636994?s=20">Boston Herald's Steve Conroy</a>.</p><p>The first-round series is tied heading into Game 3 at TD Garden.</p>

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 19: Josh Norris #9 of the Buffalo Sabres passes the puck against Marat Khusnutdinov #92 of the Boston Bruins during Game One of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on April 19, 2026 in Buffalo, New York.

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Sabres' Norris out for Game 3 with injury

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch expects captain Connor McDavid will get on the board in...

<p>Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch expects captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4560" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4560">Connor McDavid</a> will get on the board in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs sooner rather than later.</p><p>McDavid, the NHL's regular-season points leader, hasn't recorded a point in the first two games of the Oilers' opening-round series against the Anaheim Ducks. However, Knoblauch believes it's inevitable that McDavid will find his groove.</p><p>"He's putting a lot of pressure on himself," Knoblauch said after the Oilers' 6-4 loss Wednesday night at Rogers Place, according to <a href="https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/sports/edmonton-oilers-captain-connor-mcdavid-labouring-to-start-nhl-playoffs/article_38fe247a-864c-5b08-8280-9921a25346bf.html">The Canadian Press' Donna Spencer</a>. "He wants the team to do well. He's a leader, and usually when we have success, he's a big part of that. There've been stretches during the season that he hasn't been the best player, nights where he hasn't been outstanding.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"That doesn't happen very often, and I'm certain that he's going to find his game."</p><p>McDavid led the league with 138 points in the regular season, winning the Art Ross Trophy. The 29-year-old recorded 48 goals and 90 assists in 82 games.</p><p>The series between the Oilers and Ducks is tied heading into Friday's Game 3 at Honda Center.</p><p>McDavid had a bit of an injury scare in Game 2. His right leg appeared to buckle when he collided with teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1993" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1993">Mattias Ekholm</a> early in the second period. McDavid left the game briefly but said afterward it wasn't a serious issue.</p><p>"I just rolled up on it a little bit," he said. "It's fine."</p>

EDMONTON, CANADA - APRIL 20: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers in action during Game One of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks at Rogers Place on April 20, 2026, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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Oilers' Knoblauch confident McDavid will 'find his game'

A rematch between Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista is set.  The bantamweight contenders will squ...

<p>A rematch between Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista is set.</p><p>The bantamweight contenders will square off at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, sources told <a href="https://x.com/DamonMartin/status/2046642638627930593?s=20">MMA Fighting's Damon Martin and Mike Heck</a>.</p><p>UFC 329 will serve as the promotion's flagship event during its annual International Fight Week. It doesn't yet have a headliner.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Sandhagen earned a first-round submission win over Bautista in 2019 at the first UFC event of the ESPN era. The bout marked Sandhagen's third fight in the Octagon and Bautista's debut.</p><p>Sandhagen, the No. 4-ranked bantamweight, comes into the rematch looking to get back on track from a unanimous decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili in a title bout at UFC 320 last October. Sandhagen, 34, is 1-2 in his last three appearances.</p><p>Bautista, ranked No. 8 in the division, is coming off a submission win over Vinicius Oliveira in a UFC Fight Night main event in February. The 32-year-old holds a 9-1 record in his last 10 outings, with his lone loss coming against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321 last October.</p><p>UFC 329 will also feature heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson's highly anticipated debut against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.</p>

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 25: Cory Sandhagen reacts after his victory over Marlon Vera of Ecuador in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at AT&T Center on March 25, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas.

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Report: Sandhagen, Bautista to meet in rematch at UFC 329

UFC CEO Dana White is shedding some light on what Gable Steveson's Octagon debut could look like....

<p>UFC CEO Dana White is shedding some light on what Gable Steveson's Octagon debut could look like.</p><p>Steveson, the Olympic gold medalist and two-time Division I champion wrestler, signed with the premier MMA promotion earlier in April. He's scheduled to make his debut at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.</p><p>Though the 25-year-old is widely considered a potential future UFC champion, White indicated Saturday that the promotion won't throw Steveson into the deep end of the heavyweight division right away.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I don't know if we go after a top-15 guy," White told theScore at the UFC Winnipeg postfight press conference.</p><p>"I say this to you guys all the time: The UFC jitters are real. Walking in - I don't care how you've competed or where or what you've done. When you come here, it's a different level. Like I said earlier tonight, our matchmakers are the best in the business. We'll figure him out and get him the right fight ... at what we think his level is and what we think he's capable of."</p><p>Steveson made his professional MMA debut last September and holds a 3-0 record, all first-round finishes. Most recently, he defeated Hugo Lezama at a Mexico Fight League event in February.</p><p>Steveson transitioned to MMA following a three-year career in WWE and a brief stint with the NFL's Buffalo Bills during the 2024 preseason.</p>

CHIBA, JAPAN AUGUST 6, 2021: Gold medalist USA's Gable Dan Steveson celebrates the golden medal after the men's freestyle 125kg wrestling competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe in Tokyo on August 6, 2021. (

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White: Steveson unlikely to face ranked foe in UFC debut

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - Mike Malott earned a spot in the welterweight rankings with a TKO win over f...

<p>WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - Mike Malott earned a spot in the welterweight rankings with a TKO win over former title challenger Gilbert Burns in the UFC Fight Night main event Saturday at Canada Life Centre.</p><p>Malott dropped Burns twice on the feet and finished him with ground-and-pound, scoring the stoppage at the 2:08 mark of the third round.</p><p><em>(Available to view in U.S. only)</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">CANADA'S GOT A CONTENDER :flag-ca:<a href="https://twitter.com/Michael_Malott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Michael_Malott</a> gets a massive victory tonight to earn a spot in the welterweight rankings! <br><br>[ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCWinnipeg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFCWinnipeg</a> | LIVE on <a href="https://twitter.com/paramountplus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParamountPlus</a> ] <a href="https://t.co/nl7Qn9GwXB">pic.twitter.com/nl7Qn9GwXB</a></p>— UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/2045694877028016173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><em>(Available to view in Canada only)</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">MIKE MALOTT FINISHES GILBERT BURNS WITH A FLURRY OF FISTS :facepunch: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCWinnipeg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFCWinnipeg</a> <a href="https://t.co/rzKy3D9AnT">pic.twitter.com/rzKy3D9AnT</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/2045697063711821921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>After the bout, Burns, 39, announced his retirement from MMA.</p><p>"I think that's it," Burns said in his postfight interview. "I've had a great career. I think that's it. I've fought the best guys in the world. No. 1 pound-for-pound. Former champions. I never said no to a fight. I think that's it."</p><p>After a competitive opening round, Malott used his advantage in speed and accuracy to outwork Burns on the feet in the second stanza. Malott took over in the third, wobbling Burns with heavy punches before forcing referee Herb Dean to intervene.</p><p>Malott, a 34-year-old from Burlington, Ontario, has now won four in a row, though this easily marked the biggest victory of his career. Malott was unranked and Burns was No. 11 in the 170-pound division going into Saturday's main event.</p><p>The win lifted Malott's Octagon record to 7-1. "Proper" hasn't tasted defeat since suffering a third-round TKO against Neil Magny at UFC 297 in January 2024 in Toronto.</p><p>Burns lost five straight fights to end his career. "Durinho" retires with a 22-10 professional record.</p>

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - APRIL 18: (R-L) Mike Malott punches Gilbert Burns of Brazil in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Canada Life Centre on April 18, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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Malott retires Burns with TKO in UFC Winnipeg main event

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - Marcio Barbosa made a statement in his Octagon debut, clobbering Dennis Buzu...

<p>WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - Marcio Barbosa made a statement in his Octagon debut, clobbering Dennis Buzukja with a first-round knockout in the featured preliminary bout of UFC Fight Night at Canada Life Centre.</p><p>Barbosa landed a lethal left hook that immediately put Buzukja to sleep.</p><p><em>For Canadian viewers:</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">MY GOODNESS 😱 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCWinnipeg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFCWinnipeg</a> <br><br>🇧🇷 Marcio Barbosa with the exclamation point in the first!! <a href="https://t.co/hbQEkzrTEW">pic.twitter.com/hbQEkzrTEW</a></p>— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) <a href="https://twitter.com/UFC_CA/status/2045649061017960888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><em>For U.S. viewers:</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">MARCIO BARBOSA ONE PUNCH KNOCKOUT!!!<br><br>📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/paramountplus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@paramountplus</a> <a href="https://t.co/yo777moCQn">pic.twitter.com/yo777moCQn</a></p>— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) <a href="https://twitter.com/UFConParamount/status/2045649215133524116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Barbosa, a 27-year-old Brazilian, is now riding a five-fight winning streak, all first-round knockouts. The victory lifted his professional MMA record to 18-2.</p>

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - APRIL 18: (L-R) Marcio Barbosa of Brazil knocks out Dennis Buzukja in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Canada Life Centre on April 18, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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Watch: Barbosa flattens Buzukja with highlight-reel KO at UFC Winnipeg

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - Welterweights Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott made weight Friday ahead of the ...

<p>WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - Welterweights Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott made weight Friday ahead of the UFC Fight Night main event Saturday at Canada Life Centre.</p><p>Burns and Malott both weighed in at 171 pounds.</p><p>Here are the UFC Winnipeg weigh-in results.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Main card (Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Gilbert Burns (171) vs. Mike Malott (171)</li>
<li>Kyler Phillips (135) vs. Charles Jourdain (136)</li>
<li>Mandel Nallo (155.5) vs. Jai Herbert (155.5)</li>
<li>Jasmine Jasudavicius (125) vs. Karine Silva (125.5)</li>
<li>Thiago Moises (156) vs. Gauge Young (155.5)</li>
</ul><h3>Preliminary card (Paramount+ at 5 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Dennis Buzukja (145.5) vs. Marcio Barbosa (145)</li>
<li>Julien Leblanc (185.5) vs. Robert Valentin (186)</li>
<li>Tanner Boser (244.5) vs. Gokhan Saricam (244.5)</li>
<li>Melissa Croden (135.5) vs. Daria Zhelezniakova (136)</li>
<li>JJ Aldrich (125.5) vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth (126)</li>
<li>John Castaneda (139) vs. Mark Vologdin (138.5)*</li>
<li>Jamie Siraj (136) vs. John Yannis (136)</li>
</ul><p><em>*Bout is scheduled as a 139-pound catchweight</em></p>

WINNIPEG, CANADA - APRIL 17: Gilbert Burns of Brazil poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night official weigh-ins at Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown on April 17, 2026 in Winnipeg, Canada.

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Burns, Malott make weight for UFC Winnipeg main event

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - Georges St-Pierre, Rory MacDonald, and now Mike Malott.  Malott will join an...

<p>WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - Georges St-Pierre, Rory MacDonald, and now Mike Malott.</p><p>Malott will join an exclusive club Saturday night when he becomes the third Canadian-born fighter to headline a UFC event in Canada. He's scheduled to face Gilbert Burns in the welterweight main event of UFC Fight Night at Canada Life Centre.</p><p>For Malott, it's a dream come true.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"This is so special to me," Malott said at Wednesday's media day. "This is something I've been dreaming about since I was probably 12 or 13 years old. This has been one of the big goals, man. It feels really great."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">No place like home 🇨🇦<br><br>Mike Malott will join Georges St-Pierre and Rory MacDonald as the only Canadian-born fighters in UFC history to headline a card in Canada 🍁<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFCWinnipeg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFCWinnipeg</a> on Saturday, April 18 at 6pm ET on SN360 or stream on Sportsnet+ <a href="https://t.co/TbEJM1zVCl">pic.twitter.com/TbEJM1zVCl</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/2044523701547286754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The 34-year-old Burlington, Ontario, native has fought on two pay-per-view main cards already, but being on the poster for the Winnipeg event might be even cooler.</p><p>"They're both excellent," Malott said. "Super grateful for both. I think getting your name on the title of the UFC Fight Night is pretty damn cool."</p><p>Malott enters the biggest fight of his career against Burns riding a three-fight winning streak and is looking to break into the welterweight rankings with a victory. He's coming off a unanimous decision win over Kevin Holland at UFC Vancouver last October. Malott is 6-1 in the promotion with four finishes, his lone loss coming against Neil Magny at UFC 297 in January 2024 in Toronto.</p><p>Burns, a 39-year-old former title challenger, has hit a rough patch in recent years, dropping four straight fights to the likes of Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena.</p><p>However, Malott said he's "expecting the best version" of Burns "that we've seen so far."</p><p>"You gotta prepare for everything," Malott said. "You gotta prepare for a guy who's gonna come and fight for his life. But that's what we've done for the last 8-10 weeks.</p><p>"Preparation feels so good going into it. I'm very confident going into this fight."</p><p>It's his most notable opponent since Magny, who rallied to score a third-round TKO finish over Malott a little over two years ago. Since then, Malott has rattled off wins over Trevin Giles, Charles Radtke, and Holland, re-establishing himself as one of the top up-and-comers at 170 pounds.</p><p>Malott believes he's changed "in a lot of ways" since Magny took away his undefeated record in the UFC.</p><p>"The main ones are in growth and experience," Malott said. "I was still quite new to the UFC then, and I only had so much Octagon time. I had like 14 minutes of Octagon in four fights, including Contender Series. Since then, I've had three fights go into the third round, and two of them go the distance, and a second-round stoppage.</p><p>"I've also spent years understanding what it means to represent the country, and understanding ... what I need in order to be the best version of myself."</p>

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - OCTOBER 17: Mike Malott poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-ins at Rogers Arena on October 17, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

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Malott: Headlining UFC event in Canada 'so special to me'

WINNIPEG - Gilbert Burns won't get many cheers when he walks out to face Canadian Mike Malott in ...

<p>WINNIPEG - Gilbert Burns won't get many cheers when he walks out to face Canadian Mike Malott in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday at Canada Life Centre.</p><p>But he doesn't mind.</p><p>"I like the hostile territory," Burns told reporters, including theScore, at Wednesday's media day.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>In fact, Burns, who's from Brazil and trains out of Kill Cliff FC in Florida, hopes to win over the fans by the end of the night.</p><p>"When I was in Canada a couple years ago, I got a little booed, but I got cheers at the end," Burns said. "I'm gonna upset a couple of guys on Saturday. ... There's gonna be some boos, and I'm OK with that. But I'm looking forward to stealing the crowd at the end."</p><p>Burns is returning to the Octagon for the first time since his knockout loss to Michael Morales last May, marking his longest layoff in nine years. He's also attempting to snap the longest skid of his professional MMA career. "Durinho" has dropped four in a row dating back to May 2023, a slump that began with a unanimous decision loss to Belal Muhammad and includes defeats against Jack Della Maddalena and Sean Brady.</p><p>The 39-year-old said he wants nothing more than to get back on track.</p><p>"I want to win so bad," Burns said. "I'm so hungry to get the win."</p><p>Standing in his way is Malott, a 34-year-old Burlington, Ontario, native whom many consider to be the current face of Canadian MMA and the country's best shot at its first UFC champion since Georges St-Pierre. Malott, who has been on the cusp of the welterweight rankings for a while, enters his first main event riding a three-fight winning streak and with a 6-1 record in the Octagon overall.</p><p>Though Burns considers Malott a "great" fighter, he doesn't think the Niagara Top Team product is quite on the same level as some of his past opponents.</p><p>Burns has stepped into the Octagon with the best fighters in the world, including Kamaru Usman in a 2021 title bout, and believes that will give him the edge against Malott.</p><p>"I just think those guys have more experience," Burns said. "They're more tested, they have more fights. Jack was almost undefeated when I faced him. Sean Brady just lost to Belal. Morales is still undefeated. I think those guys were more tested than Mike. But I'm not taking anything away from Mike. It's gonna be a good fight."</p><p>Burns, a 3-1 underdog versus Malott, is well aware that many believe he's lost a step. But the former title challenger is choosing to tune out the noise going into Saturday's bout.</p><p>"I hear that a little bit, but I hear a lot of things," Burns said. "I think those opinions you gotta filter a little bit and be honest and be real with who you're going to listen to.</p><p>"There's always gonna be guys that say, 'He's done.' ... Who I'm gonna listen to the most will be my family, my closest friends, my coaches. Those are the opinions that matter to me."</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 17: Gilbert Burns of Brazil prepares to face Michael Morales of Ecuador in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on May 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Burns 'hungry' to beat Malott, snap losing streak at UFC Winnipeg

Carlos Ulberg captured the vacant UFC light heavyweight title Saturday night, knocking out Jiri P...

<p>Carlos Ulberg captured the vacant UFC light heavyweight title Saturday night, knocking out Jiri Prochazka in the first round of the UFC 327 main event in Miami.</p><p>In the co-headliner, Paulo Costa pulled off an upset against Azamat Murzakanov, earning a third-round TKO victory in his return to the 205-pound division.</p><p>Here are four takeaways from the event.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Ulberg winning title on 1 leg was absurdly impressive</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830467/cropped_GettyImages-2270932258.jpg?ts=1776029987" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830467/w220xh124_GettyImages-2270932258.jpg?ts=1776029987 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830467/w320xh180_GettyImages-2270932258.jpg?ts=1776029987 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830467/w640xh360_GettyImages-2270932258.jpg?ts=1776029987 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830467/w768xh432_GettyImages-2270932258.jpg?ts=1776029987 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830467/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2270932258.jpg?ts=1776029987 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Ed Mulholland / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>It's impossible to overstate just how improbable Ulberg's win over Prochazka was, given that he blew out his knee just a few minutes before the knockout.</p><p>The UFC commentary team noticed immediately that Ulberg was compromised - and so did Prochazka. Ulberg tried to hide the injury, but at that point, it felt like a matter of time before Prochazka chopped down Ulberg's leg or knocked him out. The fight was in the palm of his hand. All he had to do was not get caught.</p><p>And then Prochazka got caught.</p><p>Ulberg floored him with a picture-perfect check left hook and then finished the job with devastating shots on the ground.</p><p>Considering the circumstances, this was one of the most incredible wins we've seen in the UFC in a long time.</p><h3>No room for mercy in MMA</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830468/cropped_GettyImages-2270933070.jpg?ts=1776030043" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830468/w220xh124_GettyImages-2270933070.jpg?ts=1776030043 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830468/w320xh180_GettyImages-2270933070.jpg?ts=1776030043 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830468/w640xh360_GettyImages-2270933070.jpg?ts=1776030043 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830468/w768xh432_GettyImages-2270933070.jpg?ts=1776030043 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830468/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2270933070.jpg?ts=1776030043 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Ed Mulholland / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Prochazka took his foot off the gas instead of going for the kill when he noticed that Ulberg had hurt his knee. That decision cost him the UFC light heavyweight title and his consciousness. Prochazka said afterward he felt mercy for his injured opponent, but in a sick twist, he was the one who ended up on his back, staring up at the lights.</p><p>It was hard not to feel bad for Prochazka as he stood in the Octagon, speaking to Joe Rogan and trying to process what had just happened. He realized the fight was his to lose, yet he let it slip away. All Prochazka needed to do was attack Ulberg's leg, with one or two more heavy kicks likely enough to do the job.</p><p>The outcome is another harsh reminder that there's no room for mercy in MMA. While there's no need to rain down ground-and-pound on a clearly unconscious fighter, generally speaking, you ought to do what it takes to win. If that means capitalizing on an injury like Ulberg's blown-out knee, then so be it. Even Ulberg said as such.</p><p>"If you're in there to get that title, you do whatever it takes to get that win," Ulberg said at the postfight press conference.</p><p>Prochazka will be thinking about this one for a while. And you can bet he won't let anyone off the hook from here on out.</p><h3>Costa immediately in the mix at 205 pounds</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830472/cropped_GettyImages-2270930989.jpg?ts=1776030371" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830472/w220xh124_GettyImages-2270930989.jpg?ts=1776030371 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830472/w320xh180_GettyImages-2270930989.jpg?ts=1776030371 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830472/w640xh360_GettyImages-2270930989.jpg?ts=1776030371 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830472/w768xh432_GettyImages-2270930989.jpg?ts=1776030371 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830472/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2270930989.jpg?ts=1776030371 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Just when it felt like Costa was being thrown to the wolves against Murzakanov, he delivered one of the best performances of his career.</p><p>Although Costa entered the co-headliner as a significant underdog, he battered Murzakanov and eventually put away the previously undefeated Russian with a head kick in the third round.</p><p>Costa is a .500 fighter since losing to Israel Adesanya in 2020, but perhaps this move to light heavyweight is exactly what he needed to revitalize his career. Whether the Brazilian can put some consistency together remains to be seen, but he'll be fighting for the title in no time in a shallow light heavyweight division if he keeps performing the way he did Saturday.</p><h3>Hokit gives the heavyweight division life</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830474/cropped_GettyImages-2270930098.jpg?ts=1776030426" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830474/w220xh124_GettyImages-2270930098.jpg?ts=1776030426 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830474/w320xh180_GettyImages-2270930098.jpg?ts=1776030426 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830474/w640xh360_GettyImages-2270930098.jpg?ts=1776030426 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830474/w768xh432_GettyImages-2270930098.jpg?ts=1776030426 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830474/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2270930098.jpg?ts=1776030426 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Ed Mulholland / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The heavyweight division has been on life support for a while, but Josh Hokit might've just saved it.</p><p>Hokit, whose WWE-style persona has made him one of the most captivating fighters in the UFC since his debut last November, talked the talk throughout UFC 327 fight week, but he also walked the walk at Kaseya Center in Miami. Hokit bit down on his mouthguard and delivered a Fight of the Year candidate against No. 5-ranked contender Curtis Blaydes. The two traded heavy blows for 15 minutes, smashing the record for most significant strikes landed in a UFC heavyweight bout. At the end of it, Hokit got his hand raised via unanimous decision to catapult into the upper echelon of the division.</p><p>Heavyweight badly needed fresh blood, and Hokit delivered. Oh yeah, and Gable Steveson signed with the UFC on Saturday night, too. Suddenly, things are looking up for the division.</p>

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UFC 327 takeaways: Prochazka blew his chance to regain the title

Jiri Prochazka wants to run it back with newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulbe...

<p>Jiri Prochazka wants to run it back with newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg.</p><p>Prochazka <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3520955" href="https://thescore.com/news/3520955">suffered</a> a first-round knockout loss to Ulberg in the UFC 327 main event Saturday in Miami. Although Ulberg hurt his knee early in the bout, Prochazka couldn't capitalize and said afterward that he felt like he let the fight slip away.</p><p>"Big apologies for my performance tonight," Prochazka said in a video on his Instagram Stories. "I still can't understand this, my stupid mercy in the fight. That cost me this fight. I would like to fight the rematch, because that was my fight. That was my fight, and I just gave him this opportunity to catch me."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Ulberg confirmed in his postfight interview that he "blew out" his knee in the opening moments of the bout. The exact injury is still unknown, but the 35-year-old New Zealander will likely be sidelined for several months.</p><p>Prochazka, a former light heavyweight champion and the current No. 2-ranked contender, had won two in a row going into his vacant title fight with Ulberg. The 33-year-old Czech holds a 3-3 record dating back to 2023, which includes a pair of knockout losses to former two-division champion Alex Pereira.</p>

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic reacts after a knockout loss against Carlos Ulberg of New Zealand in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 327 event at Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

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Prochazka wants rematch vs. Ulberg: 'That was my fight'

The UFC White House card has added a seventh fight.  Rising heavyweight Josh Hokit, fresh off the...

<p>The UFC White House card has added a seventh fight.</p><p>Rising heavyweight Josh Hokit, fresh off the biggest win of his career over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 on Saturday, will face Derrick Lewis at the promotion's monumental June 14 event in Washington, UFC CEO Dana White announced.</p><p>White said on Instagram Live that President Donald Trump asked him why Lewis wasn't on the card. Trump was sitting cageside with White at UFC 327 at Kaseya Center in Miami. White said he offered the fight to Hokit and Lewis minutes later and they accepted.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Hokit, who made headlines throughout UFC 327 fight week because of his Colby Covington-esque persona, surged into title contention with a unanimous decision win over the No. 5-ranked Blaydes. The two heavyweights delivered an instant classic, trading heavy punches in all three rounds.</p><p>Hokit, who made his UFC debut last November, improved to 3-0 in the promotion. The 28-year-old California native is undefeated as a professional at 9-0 with eight finishes.</p><p>Lewis, ranked No. 8 in the division, is looking to get back on track from a second-round knockout loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 324 in January. The 41-year-old Houston resident is 2-1 in his last three outings. Lewis holds the record for most knockout wins in UFC history (16).</p><p>In the UFC White House main event, Ilia Topuria will defend the lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje. In the co-headliner, former light heavyweight and middleweight champ Alex Pereira will move up to heavyweight to face Ciryl Gane for the interim belt.</p>

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Josh Hokit reacts after a victory against Curtis Blaydes in a heavyweight fight during the UFC 327 event at Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

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UFC adds Hokit-Lewis to White House card

UFC 327 took place Saturday night at Kaseya Center in Miami. In the main event, Carlos Ulberg kno...

<p><em>UFC 327 took place Saturday night at Kaseya Center in Miami. In the main event, Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka to claim the vacant light heavyweight title. theScore's Nick Baldwin provided live results and analysis throughout the card.</em></p><p>📌 <strong>Jump to: </strong><a href="#costa">Costa's TKO</a> |<strong> </strong><a href="#hokit">Hokit's UD</a> |<strong> </strong><a href="#reyes">Reyes' SD</a> |<strong> </strong><a href="#swanson">Swanson's TKO</a><strong> </strong>|<strong> </strong><a href="#pico">Prelims</a> |<strong> </strong><a href="#padilla">Early prelims</a></p><h3>Ulberg KOs Prochazka to win title</h3><p>Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka to capture the vacant light heavyweight title in the UFC 327 main event Saturday night at Kaseya Center in Miami.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The finish came at the 3:45 mark of the first round.</p><p>For more, tap <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3520955" href="https://thescore.com/news/3520955">here</a>.</p><h3>Main event is a pick 'em. Who ya got?</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What's your favorite value on the UFC 327 card!? 👀 <a href="https://t.co/2hJVEu7ILh">pic.twitter.com/2hJVEu7ILh</a></p>— theScore Bet (@theScoreBet) <a href="https://twitter.com/theScoreBet/status/2043111590556209331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>UFC announces Gable Steveson signing</h3><p>The promotion revealed that Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson has signed with the UFC and will make his debut at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.</p><p>For more, tap <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3520945" href="https://thescore.com/news/3520945">here</a>.</p><h3><a id="costa" name="costa">Costa pulls off the upset vs. Murzakanov</a></h3><p>Paulo Costa was a man on a mission in his return to light heavyweight.</p><p>The former middleweight title challenger pulled off a stunning TKO win over Azamat Murzakanov in the co-main event. The finish came at the 1:23 mark of the third round.</p><p>Costa hurt Murzakanov with a head kick and then landed another one that ended the fight.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ok 205 Costa is an interesting player Uces. Banger btw <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC327?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC327</a> <a href="https://t.co/dISaT4Kb6N">pic.twitter.com/dISaT4Kb6N</a></p>— Underrated Tribal Chief (@CombatUTC) <a href="https://twitter.com/CombatUTC/status/2043168643287011503?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Murzakanov, who was ranked No. 6 in the 205-pound division coming in, suffered the first loss of his career, falling to 16-1 as a professional.</p><p>Costa, who competed at light heavyweight once previously before Saturday, is now immediately in the title mix. The Brazilian is riding a two-fight winning streak and hasn't lost since facing Sean Strickland in June 2024.</p><h3><a id="hokit" name="hokit">Hokit wins an all-time slugfest</a></h3><p>Rising heavyweight Josh Hokit picked up the biggest win of his career in a Fight of the Year candidate against Curtis Blaydes, earning a unanimous decision win (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).</p><p>In what will go down as an all-time great heavyweight bout, Hokit and Blaydes exchanged heavy punches in all three rounds and somehow made it to the final horn. Hokit got the best of Blaydes in Rounds 2 and 3 to secure the judges' nod.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? 👀<br><br>[ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC327?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC327</a> | LIVE NOW on <a href="https://twitter.com/paramountplus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParamountPlus</a> ] <a href="https://t.co/6QRu9E3scU">pic.twitter.com/6QRu9E3scU</a></p>— UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/2043156352382730632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Hokit (177) and Blaydes (174) set a new UFC record for the most combined significant strikes landed in a heavyweight bout, surpassing the 2019 rematch between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier, according to <a href="https://x.com/aaronbronsteter/status/2043165588105691634?s=20">Sportsnet's Aaron Bronsteter</a>.</p><p>Hokit, 28, remained undefeated with the victory, improving to 3-0 in the UFC and 9-0 as a professional.</p><p>Blaydes came up short for the first time since an interim title fight against Tom Aspinall in July 2024, falling to 1-2 in his last three appearances.</p><h3><a id="reyes" name="reyes">Reyes beats Walker in snoozer</a></h3><p>Former light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes earned a split-decision win over Johnny Walker in a lackluster affair.</p><p>The judges scored the fight 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28. Walker outlanded Reyes 42-34 in total strikes.</p><p>Reyes is back in the win column after suffering a knockout loss to Carlos Ulberg at UFC Perth last September. Walker fell to 1-3 in his last four outings.</p><h3><a id="swanson" name="swanson">Swanson goes out with a bang</a></h3><p>Cub Swanson delivered a picture-perfect performance in his retirement fight.</p><p>The longtime featherweight contender scored a TKO finish over Nate Landwehr, flooring him with a right hand and forcing the referee to step in at the 4:06 mark of the first round.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">KILLER CUB SWANSON WITH ONE LAST DISPLAY OF BEAUTIFUL DESTRUCTION AGGHHHHHHH <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC327?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC327</a> <a href="https://t.co/niB2fZwMvl">pic.twitter.com/niB2fZwMvl</a></p>— Underrated Tribal Chief (@CombatUTC) <a href="https://twitter.com/CombatUTC/status/2043140133621203039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Swanson came out guns blazing, rocking Landwehr multiple times before putting him away for good.</p><p>Swanson, 42, made his professional MMA debut in 2004 and stepped into the Octagon 26 times, producing a 16-10 record. He spent much of his career highly ranked in the 145-pound division and beat the likes of Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Jeremy Stephens. Swanson finishes his career with a 31-14 record.</p><h3><a id="pico" name="pico">Pico clobbers 'Pitbull'</a></h3><p>Aaron Pico earned his first UFC victory in dominant fashion, dismantling Patricio "Pitbull" Freire in a long-awaited matchup between Bellator veterans.</p><p>Pico earned a unanimous decision over Freire, with the judges scoring the fight 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830364/cropped_GettyImages-2270920326.jpg?ts=1775956067" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830364/w220xh124_GettyImages-2270920326.jpg?ts=1775956067 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830364/w320xh180_GettyImages-2270920326.jpg?ts=1775956067 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830364/w640xh360_GettyImages-2270920326.jpg?ts=1775956067 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830364/w768xh432_GettyImages-2270920326.jpg?ts=1775956067 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830364/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2270920326.jpg?ts=1775956067 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Ed Mulholland / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Pico used crisp boxing to batter Freire in the stand-up department. He briefly dropped Freire in the second round. Pico also landed several takedowns and punished his opponent on the ground.</p><p>The 29-year-old American returned to the win column after suffering a devastating knockout loss to Lerone Murphy in his Octagon debut last August. Pico is now 4-1 in his past five appearances.</p><p>Freire, a former Bellator two-division champion, fell to 1-2 in the UFC.</p><h3>Holland edges out Brown</h3><p>Kevin Holland began his 2026 campaign with a win, taking home a unanimous decision over Randy Brown. All three judges scored the fight 30-27 in Holland's favor.</p><p>The first two rounds - especially the second - were exhilarating. Holland battered Brown with leg kicks but absorbed a massive upkick in the opening frame. Holland then dominated the second stanza, nearly submitting Brown with a D'Arce choke.</p><p>The action was much tamer in the third, with Holland controlling Brown in the clinch to seal the deal.</p><p>Holland, 33, snapped a two-fight losing streak and earned his first victory since submitting Vicente Luque last June. Brown, 35, has lost two straight and three of his last four.</p><h3>Gamrot smothers Ribovics</h3><p>No. 8-ranked lightweight Mateusz Gamrot cruised past Esteban Ribovics, submitting him with an arm-triangle choke at the 4:19 mark of the second round.</p><p>Gamrot smothered Ribovics on the ground for long stretches of the fight before eventually forcing the referee to step in with a submission.</p><p>With the victory, the 35-year-old Polish fighter rebounded from a loss to former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC Rio de Janeiro last October.</p><p>Ribovics, a 29-year-old from Argentina, is now 1-2 in his last three Octagon appearances.</p><h3>Suarez makes statement</h3><p>Tatiana Suarez is back in the strawweight title picture after an emphatic submission win over Loopy Godinez. Suarez tapped out Godinez with a rear-naked choke at the 2:29 mark of the second round.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TATIANA SUAREZ COMES BACK FROM GETTING KNOCKED DOWN AND SUBMITS LOOPY IN ROUND 2 ‼️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC327?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC327</a> <a href="https://t.co/AqwHBBq0OG">pic.twitter.com/AqwHBBq0OG</a></p>— UFC FIFTH ROUND (@UFCFIFTHROUND) <a href="https://twitter.com/UFCFIFTHROUND/status/2043107484961804552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The 35-year-old had to overcome a bit of adversity to get the job done. Early in the first round, Godinez rocked Suarez on the feet and then hammered her with punches on the ground. But Suarez turned the tide with her grappling and controlled Godinez from top position.</p><p>That continued into the second round as Suarez took Godinez down and then locked in the choke.</p><p>Suarez has now won two in a row since challenging Zhang Weili for the 115-pound title in February 2025. This was her first stoppage victory since August 2023.</p><p>Godinez, 32, suffered her first loss since August 2024, ending a two-fight winning streak.</p><h3><a id="padilla" name="padilla">Padilla, Mederos fight to draw</a></h3><p>Chris Padilla and MarQuel Mederos delivered an early candidate for Fight of the Night.</p><p>The lightweights fought to a majority draw, with two judges scoring the fight 28-28 and one scoring it 29-27 in Padilla's favor. Bruce Buffer originally announced Padilla as the winner, but the broadcast corrected the scores several minutes later.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC327?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC327</a> broadcast announces a misread scorecard for Chris Padilla vs. MarQuel Mederos.<br><br>Originally announced as a majority decision win for Padilla, the fight result is now a majority draw. <a href="https://t.co/oVB6xvR3bT">https://t.co/oVB6xvR3bT</a> <a href="https://t.co/wM0ujI3sNT">pic.twitter.com/wM0ujI3sNT</a></p>— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) <a href="https://twitter.com/MMAJunkie/status/2043109722627187038?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Padilla, a 30-year-old California native, moved to 4-0-1 in the UFC and is riding an eight-fight unbeaten streak overall.</p><p>Mederos, 29, is now 3-0-1 in the promotion. He's unbeaten in 10 consecutive fights.</p><h3>Luque stuns Gastelum with choke</h3><p>Vicente Luque pulled off a big upset against Kelvin Gastelum in his middleweight debut, submitting Gastelum with a D'Arce choke at the 4:08 mark of the first round.</p><p>Luque dropped Gastelum and then sunk in the submission, forcing a tap.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vicente Luque +220 underdog… They called me a mad man.<br><br>UFC 327 prelims going hard. <a href="https://t.co/14mQjYkHaM">pic.twitter.com/14mQjYkHaM</a></p>— klein wong (@kleinwong_) <a href="https://twitter.com/kleinwong_/status/2043093079373029418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The 34-year-old Brazilian snapped a two-fight skid and picked up his first victory since December 2024. Luque is now tied with Matt Brown and Dustin Poirier for the fifth-most finishes in UFC history (15).</p><p>Gastelum, 34, fell to 1-2 in his last three Octagon appearances.</p><h3>Radtke opens UFC 327 with a win</h3><p>Welterweight Charles Radtke kicked off the night with a dominant performance against Francisco Prado, earning a unanimous decision victory (30-26, 30-26, 30-26).</p><p>The 35-year-old Chicago native was outstruck by Prado but amassed over eight minutes of ground control time to secure the judges' nod. Radtke is now riding a two-fight winning streak and hasn't lost since facing Mike Malott at UFC 315 last May.</p><h3>Pre-fight notes</h3><p>Prochazka and Ulberg will square off for the light heavyweight title after Alex Pereira vacated the belt and moved up to heavyweight. Prochazka, who held the title in 2022, is looking to become a two-time champion. The 33-year-old Czech Republic native is coming off back-to-back knockout wins over Khalil Rountree Jr. and Jamahal Hill and is 3-1 in his last four Octagon appearances. Prochazka's only two losses in the past decade came against Pereira.</p><p>Ulberg is fighting for the 205-pound title for the first time in his career. The 35-year-old New Zealander earned a crack at the belt with a knockout win over Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth last September. He's riding a nine-fight winning streak and holds an impressive 13-1 record as a professional.</p><p>In the UFC 327 co-main event, No. 6-ranked light heavyweight Azamat Murzakanov seeks the biggest win of his career against former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa.</p><p>Here's a look at the rest of the UFC 327 fight card:</p><h3>Main card (Paramount+ at 9 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg</li>
<li>Azamat Murzakanov vs. Paulo Costa</li>
<li>Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit</li>
<li>Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker</li>
<li>Cub Swanson vs. Nate Landwehr</li>
</ul><h3>Preliminary card (Paramount+ at 7 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Patricio "Pitbull" Freire vs. Aaron Pico</li>
<li>Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown</li>
<li>Mateusz Gamrot vs. Esteban Ribovics</li>
<li>Tatiana Suarez vs. Loopy Godinez</li>
</ul><h3>Early preliminary card (Paramount+ at 5:30 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Chris Padilla vs. MarQuel Mederos</li>
<li>Kelvin Gastelum vs. Vicente Luque</li>
<li>Charles Radtke vs. Francisco Prado</li>
</ul><p><em>US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call <a href="tel:8003275050">(800)-327-5050</a> or visit <a href="http://gamblinghelplinema.org/">gamblinghelplinema.org</a> for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).</em></p><p><em>ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at <a href="tel:18665312600">1-866-531-2600</a>. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at <a href="http://www.connexontario.ca/">www.connexontario.ca</a>.</em></p>

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Carlos Ulberg of New Zealand prepares to face Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 327 event at Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

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UFC 327: Prochazka vs. Ulberg results, analysis

Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka in dramatic fashion to capture the vacant light heavywei...

<p>Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka in dramatic fashion to capture the vacant light heavyweight title in the UFC 327 main event.</p><p>The finish came at the 3:45 mark of the first round Saturday night at Kaseya Center in Miami.</p><p>Ulberg suffered a knee injury early in the fight but rallied to pull off an improbable win. He caught Prochazka with a picture-perfect left hook and put him to sleep with vicious follow-up shots on the ground.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jiri Prochazka gets knocked out by Carlos Ulberg who was injured 🤯 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC327?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC327</a> <a href="https://t.co/DQP1d6usVk">pic.twitter.com/DQP1d6usVk</a></p>— Unbiasedbox2 (@Unbiasedbox2) <a href="https://twitter.com/Unbiasedbox2/status/2043176274802487680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Ulberg said in his postfight interview that he "blew out" his knee during the fight.</p><p>"I never, ever counted myself out," Ulberg said. "I knew that all I needed was that one shot, and I ended up getting it. I knew that Jiri was hesitant to come forward. And as soon as I landed my left hand, he's going (out). I gotta sort this knee out, but we're the champion."</p><p>The UFC booked the fight between Ulberg and Prochazka after Alex Pereira decided to vacate the 205-pound title and move up to heavyweight, where he'll face Ciryl Gane for the interim belt at the UFC White House event on June 14. Prochazka and Ulberg were ranked No. 2 and No. 3 coming in, respectively.</p><p>Prochazka said he felt like he threw away the fight after noticing Ulberg was compromised.</p><p>"I felt mercy in that fight," Prochazka said in his postfight interview. "I felt so sorry with him. Man. This is one of the biggest lessons in my life. I still can't understand - that fight was won. I won that fight. I had it. It was in my hands. I just let him - because I saw his injury. F--k."</p><p>Ulberg extended his winning streak to 10 and lifted his professional record to 14-1. The 35-year-old New Zealander hasn't fallen short since his UFC debut in March 2021.</p><p>Prochazka, a former light heavyweight champion, suffered his first loss since a head-kick knockout against Pereira in June 2024. He had won two in a row entering Saturday's event.</p><p>"I will be back," Prochazka said. "Life is about that: learn, and be better."</p>

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Carlos Ulberg of New Zealand punches Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 327 event at Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

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Ulberg KOs Prochazka to win UFC light heavyweight title

Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson has signed with the UFC and will make his debut at UFC 329 o...

<p>Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson has signed with the UFC and will make his debut at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the promotion announced Saturday.</p><p>Steveson's opponent wasn't announced.</p><p>One of the most accomplished collegiate wrestlers in history, Steveson transitioned to MMA in 2025 and has put together a 3-0 professional record.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 25-year-old heavyweight has scored first-round knockouts in each of his fights to date. He most recently beat Hugo Lezama at a Mexico Fight League event in February.</p><p>Steveson, who trains under UFC legend Jon Jones, is widely considered a potential future heavyweight champion.</p><p>Before his MMA career, Steveson wrestled in WWE from 2021-24. He also had a brief stint in the NFL, playing for the Buffalo Bills as a defensive tackle during the 2024 preseason.</p>

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 19: Gable Steveson of the Minnesota Golden Gophers defeats Cohlton Schultz of the Arizona State Sun Devils in the 285-pound final match during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at Little Caesars Arena on March 19, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan.

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Gable Steveson signs with UFC, will debut at UFC 329

theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks ahead of Saturday's UFC 327 in Miami.   👊 Bet on UFC 327 ...

<p><em>theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks ahead of Saturday's UFC 327 in Miami.</em></p><blockquote><p>👊 <a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-327-prochazka-vs-ulberg&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3519384"><strong>Bet on UFC 327 with theScore Bet here</strong></a></p></blockquote><h3>Light heavyweight championship</h3><p><strong>Jiri Prochazka (32-5-1)<br>vs.<br>Carlos Ulberg (13-1)</strong></p><p>Whenever Jiri Prochazka steps into the Octagon, MMA fans have learned to expect the unexpected.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>That's what makes this UFC 327 main event so great. His opponent, Carlos Ulberg, is the kind of fighter who prioritizes winning over anything else. Methodical, tactical, smart. He has some highlight-reel knockouts on his resume, but at his roots, Ulberg is happy to use his large 6-foot-4 frame and pick you apart.</p><p>Prochazka, on the other hand, is a wild man. One of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC, the 33-year-old Czech Republic native has gone the distance just once in 38 professional appearances, boasting 31 finishes in 32 wins. He has an all-gas-no-brakes fight style, choosing to walk forward and throw strikes until the other guy in the cage is asleep. The approach has worked well for Prochazka, with his only two losses in the UFC coming against Alex Pereira, who just so happens to be vacating the light heavyweight title and opening the door for Prochazka and Ulberg to vie for the championship.</p><p>I find it tough to pick Ulberg because his likeliest path to victory is by shutting out Prochazka's lights. He could potentially win a decision, but let's be honest: this one ain't going the distance. When Prochazka is conscious, he's one of the most dangerous fighters in the world. He was behind on the judges' scorecards entering the third and final round against Khalil Rountree Jr., and then, boom, Prochazka did Prochazka things and got his opponent out of there in a stunning - yet seemingly inevitable - comeback win.</p><p>This might not be a picture-perfect performance from Prochazka, but when are they ever?</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong><a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=c1c2758e-e7ea-4197-89aa-dd391ddfbc9d&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=16&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=1&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-327-prochazka-vs-ulberg%2Fevent%2F1f1b6502-7df1-4625-b33d-cc2252ae6f65&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3519384">Prochazka, fourth-round TKO</a></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824005/cropped_GettyImages-2240853088.jpg?ts=1772252809" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824005/w220xh124_GettyImages-2240853088.jpg?ts=1772252809 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824005/w320xh180_GettyImages-2240853088.jpg?ts=1772252809 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824005/w640xh360_GettyImages-2240853088.jpg?ts=1772252809 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824005/w768xh432_GettyImages-2240853088.jpg?ts=1772252809 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/824005/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2240853088.jpg?ts=1772252809 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Light heavyweight bout</h3><p><strong>Azamat Murzakanov (16-0)</strong><br><strong>vs.</strong><br><strong>Paulo Costa (15-4)</strong></p><p>Former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa is being thrown into the deep end in his return to the 205-pound division. Azamat Murzakanov hasn't gotten a whole lot of buzz as he's ascended the ladder, but the man can fight. The 36-year-old Russian's first-round knockout win over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 321 last October proved he's one of the top up-and-comers in the weight class, and I expect him to keep that momentum going. Costa is 1-2 in his last three outings and, quite frankly, hasn't been the same since losing to Israel Adesanya six years ago.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong><a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=2c6a9cc2-6785-4598-ab8b-bae6b3178be4&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=13&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=5&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-327-prochazka-vs-ulberg%2Fevent%2Fc17f384c-5afc-44df-a155-7a07b65a6fc6&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3519384">Murzakanov, unanimous decision</a></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830223/cropped_GettyImages-2243259486.jpg?ts=1775852078" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830223/w220xh124_GettyImages-2243259486.jpg?ts=1775852078 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830223/w320xh180_GettyImages-2243259486.jpg?ts=1775852078 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830223/w640xh360_GettyImages-2243259486.jpg?ts=1775852078 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830223/w768xh432_GettyImages-2243259486.jpg?ts=1775852078 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/830223/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2243259486.jpg?ts=1775852078 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Heavyweight bout</h3><p><strong>Curtis Blaydes (19-5, 1 NC)</strong><br><strong>vs.<br>Josh Hokit (8-0)</strong></p><p>Josh Hokit, the cringiest fighter in the UFC right now, could be a top-five heavyweight next week if he beats Curtis Blaydes. Let that sink in for a moment. The good news for anyone out there who isn't the biggest fan of Hokit's shtick is that this is a terrible stylistic matchup for him, on top of already being a massive jump up in competition. A perennial heavyweight contender for the last decade, Blaydes has some of the best wrestling and ground-and-pound in the division. If Blaydes gets the fight to the mat, it'll be game over for Hokit pretty quickly.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong><a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=9768c242-0a4d-4bff-84f8-bf76145ca455&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=19&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=2&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-327-prochazka-vs-ulberg%2Fevent%2Fe9f7ba04-b60f-43ea-92bd-b425f89a809f&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3519384">Blaydes, second-round TKO</a></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774140/cropped_GettyImages-2203881753.jpg?ts=1741469537" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774140/w220xh124_GettyImages-2203881753.jpg?ts=1741469537 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774140/w320xh180_GettyImages-2203881753.jpg?ts=1741469537 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774140/w640xh360_GettyImages-2203881753.jpg?ts=1741469537 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774140/w768xh432_GettyImages-2203881753.jpg?ts=1741469537 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774140/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2203881753.jpg?ts=1741469537 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Light heavyweight bout</h3><p><strong>Dominick Reyes (15-5)</strong><br><strong>vs.</strong><br><strong>Johnny Walker (22-9, 1 NC)</strong></p><p>This one may come down to who gets hit first. As wild as this sounds, I feel a bit more comfortable putting my faith in Dominick Reyes to win than I do Johnny Walker.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong><a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=0326be8f-c5e6-497f-bc6a-7416c359a051&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=11&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=4&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-327-prochazka-vs-ulberg%2Fevent%2F5605a403-5324-42c7-bce8-5b97d3700516&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3519384">Reyes, first-round knockout</a></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/796026/cropped_GettyImages-2209986580.jpg?ts=1753834775" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/796026/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209986580.jpg?ts=1753834775 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/796026/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209986580.jpg?ts=1753834775 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/796026/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209986580.jpg?ts=1753834775 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/796026/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209986580.jpg?ts=1753834775 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/796026/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209986580.jpg?ts=1753834775 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Megan Briggs / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><h3>Featherweight bout</h3><p><strong>Cub Swanson (30-14)</strong><br><strong>vs.</strong><br><strong>Nate Landwehr (18-7)</strong></p><p>After a 19-year career spanning the UFC and WEC, Cub Swanson is finally hanging up the gloves - and he's going out with a banger of a matchup against Nate "The Train" Landwehr. Neither of these guys knows how to be in a boring fight, and neither man's heart or toughness has ever been questioned. Landwehr will give it all he's got, but you know I'm not picking against Killer Cub in his retirement fight.</p><p><strong>The pick: </strong><a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=f103c1c1-6ebe-4586-a586-a4f3d2db930b&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=7&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=2&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-327-prochazka-vs-ulberg%2Fevent%2F138db6f4-5187-420b-ae4d-bb546c1d43d7&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3519384">Swanson, split decision</a></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/582583/cropped_GettyImages-1244069238.jpg?ts=1687890091" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/582583/w220xh124_GettyImages-1244069238.jpg?ts=1687890091 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/582583/w320xh180_GettyImages-1244069238.jpg?ts=1687890091 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/582583/w640xh360_GettyImages-1244069238.jpg?ts=1687890091 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/582583/w768xh432_GettyImages-1244069238.jpg?ts=1687890091 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/582583/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1244069238.jpg?ts=1687890091 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><blockquote><p>👊 <a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-327-prochazka-vs-ulberg&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3519384"><strong>Bet on UFC 327 with theScore Bet here</strong></a></p></blockquote><h3>Rapid-fire bets</h3><p><strong>Best overall bet: </strong><a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=227ee62c-81ba-4209-8c11-cc52d2c9d23c&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=5&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=3&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-327-prochazka-vs-ulberg&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3519384">Tatiana Suarez (-150) def. Loopy Godinez</a></p><p>While some may still have a sour taste in their mouths from Suarez's lopsided loss to Zhang Weili in February 2025, as the second- or third-best strawweight in the UFC, she should be a bigger favorite against Godinez than she is.</p><p><strong>Best underdog bet: </strong><a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=ed168ed2-5bc3-445d-a436-09e6b9ba48c7&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=17&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=5&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-327-prochazka-vs-ulberg&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3519384">Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (+240) def. Aaron Pico</a></p><p>It's hard to know how Pico will look after suffering the worst knockout loss of his career against Lerone Murphy last summer. He's the rightful favorite in this honorary Bellator featherweight title fight, but this wouldn't be the first time Freire pulled off an upset.</p><p><strong>Best prop bet: </strong><a href="https://about.thescore.bet/sportsbook-redirect/?market_selection_id%5B0%5D=cb8b3c11-2102-4803-812b-c58e4dcdf248&amp;odds_numerator%5B0%5D=12&amp;odds_denominator%5B0%5D=7&amp;%24canonical_url=%2Fsport%2Fmma%2Forganization%2Fufc%2Fcompetition%2Fufc-327-prochazka-vs-ulberg%2Fevent%2F5858f066-9224-493f-b32b-7658c210ec86&amp;campaign=thescore_content&amp;customer_campaign=article&amp;%7Echannel=thescore-content&amp;tags=3519384">Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown over 2.5 rounds (-140)</a></p><p>Holland and Brown are very evenly matched, making it unlikely we see a quick finish.</p><p><em>US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call <a href="tel:8003275050">(800)-327-5050</a> or visit <a href="http://gamblinghelplinema.org/">gamblinghelplinema.org</a> for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).</em></p><p><em>ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at <a href="tel:18665312600">1-866-531-2600</a>. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at <a href="http://www.connexontario.ca/">www.connexontario.ca</a>.</em></p>

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UFC 327 predictions: Will Prochazka or Ulberg become the new champ?

UFC 327 is upon us.  In Saturday's main event, Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg square off for th...

<p>UFC 327 is upon us.</p><p>In Saturday's main event, Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg square off for the vacant light heavyweight title. In the co-headliner, Azamat Murzakanov welcomes Paulo Costa to 205 pounds.</p><p>Here are three key storylines ahead of the UFC's return to Kaseya Center in Miami.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>A Prochazka title reign is exactly what the UFC needs right now</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816953/cropped_GettyImages-2239285341.jpg?ts=1767978829" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816953/w220xh124_GettyImages-2239285341.jpg?ts=1767978829 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816953/w320xh180_GettyImages-2239285341.jpg?ts=1767978829 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816953/w640xh360_GettyImages-2239285341.jpg?ts=1767978829 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816953/w768xh432_GettyImages-2239285341.jpg?ts=1767978829 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/816953/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2239285341.jpg?ts=1767978829 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Cooper Neill / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>It's no secret the UFC has faced increased scrutiny over event quality and matchmaking in recent months. Too many cards have lacked star power, and the promotion has struggled to deliver meaningful, quality fights from top to bottom.</p><p>What would inject some life back into the sport? Prochazka with the belt around his waist.</p><p>Prochazka, who already held the light heavyweight title for a brief period in 2022, is one of the most entertaining fighters in MMA. Throughout his six-year UFC career, the 33-year-old Czech has produced a Fight of the Year candidate, some of the most vicious knockouts you'll ever see, and a handful of epic comebacks. Thirty-one of his 32 professional wins are finishes, and he's never gone the distance in the Octagon.</p><p>Having a fan favorite like Prochazka as champion again would do only good for Dana White and Co.</p><h3>Will Murzakanov get his due if he beats Costa?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807055/cropped_GettyImages-2242925473.jpg?ts=1761336837" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807055/w220xh124_GettyImages-2242925473.jpg?ts=1761336837 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807055/w320xh180_GettyImages-2242925473.jpg?ts=1761336837 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807055/w640xh360_GettyImages-2242925473.jpg?ts=1761336837 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807055/w768xh432_GettyImages-2242925473.jpg?ts=1761336837 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/807055/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2242925473.jpg?ts=1761336837 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Speaking of the light heavyweight division, one rising contender who has flown completely under the radar is Murzakanov, an undefeated Russian who's 6-0 in the UFC with five knockouts.</p><p>Ranked No. 6 in the weight class, Murzakanov hasn't garnered much buzz throughout his Octagon tenure so far - even a first-round finish of Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 321 last October wasn't enough to get the MMA fanbase talking about him. But make no mistake: in what has become one of the shallowest divisions in the UFC, Murzakanov is one of the few bright spots.</p><p>Should he get past Costa, a former middleweight title challenger who is moving up to 205 pounds, Murzakanov will start to get his flowers - and be on everybody's radar as a title contender.</p><h3>Can Hokit save the heavyweight division?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818958/cropped_GettyImages-2258016341.jpg?ts=1769298826" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818958/w220xh124_GettyImages-2258016341.jpg?ts=1769298826 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818958/w320xh180_GettyImages-2258016341.jpg?ts=1769298826 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818958/w640xh360_GettyImages-2258016341.jpg?ts=1769298826 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818958/w768xh432_GettyImages-2258016341.jpg?ts=1769298826 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/818958/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2258016341.jpg?ts=1769298826 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Heavyweight prospect Josh Hokit is getting a massive step up in competition this weekend against perennial contender Curtis Blaydes.</p><p>Hokit has made headlines for his Colby Covington- and Chael Sonnen-esque shtick, but the 28-year-old American has also delivered impressive results in the cage, winning two in a row since debuting in the UFC last November. Heavyweight is also one of the weakest divisions in the promotion, and Hokit might be here to save the day.</p><p>But in order to do that, he'll have to take out Blaydes, who has only ever lost to Francis Ngannou, Derrick Lewis, Sergei Pavlovich, and current heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Blaydes has consistently been one of the best fighters in the division over the last decade.</p><p>If Hokit beats Blaydes - which won't be an easy task - he'll skyrocket into title contention, and the heavyweight division will finally have the fresh blood it desperately needs.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic enters the Octagon in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC 320 event at T-Mobile Arena on October 04, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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3 biggest storylines ahead of UFC 327

Lightweight Renato Moicano is back in the win column after submitting Chris Duncan with a rear-na...

<p>Lightweight Renato Moicano is back in the win column after submitting Chris Duncan with a rear-naked choke in the UFC Fight Night main event Saturday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.</p><p>The finish came at the 3:14 mark of the second round.</p><p>Moicano, ranked No. 10 in the 155-pound division, showed there are levels to the sport with an electric performance against Duncan, briefly dropping him with a punch before battering him on the ground and sinking in a choke. With the victory, the 36-year-old Brazilian snapped a two-fight losing streak.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>In 2025, Moicano suffered back-to-back losses to then-lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush. This was his first victory since a TKO finish over Benoit Saint Denis in September 2024.</p><p>Duncan, unranked heading into his first UFC main event, saw his four-fight winning streak end. The 32-year-old Scottish fighter fell to 6-2 in the Octagon overall.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 04: Renato Moicano of Brazil works for a submission against Chris Duncan of Scotland in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on April 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Moicano rebounds with submission of Duncan in UFC main event

Flyweight champion Joshua Van's first title defense against Tatsuro Taira will now take place at ...

<p>Flyweight champion Joshua Van's first title defense against Tatsuro Taira will now take place at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, the promotion announced Saturday.</p><p>The fight was originally scheduled for UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami, but it was postponed after Van suffered an injury.</p><p>Van (16-2) captured the flyweight title in December when Alexandre Pantoja sustained an arm injury just 26 seconds into their UFC 323 bout. The 24-year-old is riding a six-fight win streak, which includes victories over Bruno Silva and Brandon Royval across a three-week span.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Taira (18-1) will fight for the 125-pound title for the first time in his career after scoring a second-round TKO versus former champion Brandon Moreno in December.</p><p>With Van-Taira off UFC 327, a light heavyweight bout between Azamat Murzakanov and Paulo Costa has been elevated to the co-main event. The card will be headlined by a meeting between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight championship.</p><p>Meanwhile, UFC 328 will feature a middleweight title fight between champion Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. Van-Taira will serve as the co-main event.</p>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 06:Joshua Van of Myanmar reacts to his TKO win in the UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 323 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Van-Taira title bout pushed back to UFC 328

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier wants to see former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya keep h...

<p>UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier wants to see former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya keep his career going despite another loss at UFC Seattle.</p><p>Adesanya returned from a 13-month layoff against Joe Pyfer on Saturday night, suffering a second-round TKO defeat. The result extended his losing streak to four.</p><p>Cormier, who served as a color commentator at the event, believes Adesanya still has some gas left in the tank.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"People were wondering whether or not - if Adesanya didn't get the job done tonight - if it would be it, if we had seen the last of 'The Stylebender,'" Cormier <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mudmse2nNkU">said</a> in a video on his YouTube channel. "To me, it did not sound like he is almost remotely done with his UFC career. And honestly, the way that he was fighting, I would encourage him to keep going. Because he was fighting really well."</p><p>Adesanya impressed in the early moments of the main event, outlanding Pyfer 37-9 in the first round and wobbling him with a punch early in the second. But Adesanya got overaggressive and began brawling with Pyfer, later giving up a takedown and eventually succumbing to a ground-and-pound finish.</p><p>"I will question - and I think Izzy will question when he gets back to watching this fight - why he chose the path that he did in Round 2," Cormier said. "Because he was fighting really well. He fought well in Round 1. He was fighting well in Round 2. But then for some reason, he decided to kind of say, 'You know what? Shield in the middle. Let's stand on it and let's trade.' When in reality, that was probably the best way for Pyfer to get a victory."</p><p>Adesanya, 36, said in his postfight interview that he doesn't plan to retire. The Nigerian-born New Zealander hasn't won a fight since an April 2023 rematch against Alex Pereira.</p>

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 28: (L-R) Israel Adesanya of Nigeria punches Joe Pyfer in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Climate Pledge Arena on March 28, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

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Cormier encourages Adesanya not to retire after UFC Seattle loss

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Nick Baldwin

News Editor

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