UFC 327 moves forward in Miami this Saturday with a new-look lineup and a vacant light heavyweight title on the line between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg.
The card proceeds as scheduled despite losing at least one title fight, with Prochazka and Ulberg now set to meet for the UFC light heavyweight championship in the main event. A scheduled bout between Van and Taira is off the card.
The light heavyweight belt opened up after Alex Pereira left the division, creating an opportunity at the top for Prochazka and Ulberg. One of the quotes floating around the buildup has been the single-word nod, “Poatan,” a reminder of the former champion’s presence at 205.
Further down the card, Azamat Murzakanov is scheduled to face Paulo Costa, who previously fought Israel Adesanya for a UFC title. The matchup has already sparked references to Costa’s nickname, “Borrachinha.”
Josh Hokit is slated to meet Curtis Blaydes, while Kelvin Gastelum is booked against Vicente Luque, who is moving up to middleweight after competing at welterweight. A featherweight clash between Patricio Pitbull and Aaron Pico, previously targeted in Bellator before both signed with the UFC, is also set. Pico enters after a knockout loss in his UFC debut against Lerone Murphy, while Pitbull comes in having previously lost to Yair Rodriguez and defeated Dan Ige.
Cub Swanson takes on Nate Landwehr in a bout expected to be Swanson’s last. Swanson is already in the UFC Hall of Fame for his 2016 fight with Doo Ho Choi, adding extra weight to his UFC 327 appearance.
