UFC 327 live results: Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg
A new champion will be crowned as the Octagon heads back to The Sunshine State for UFC 327 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
The main event will see the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on the line as former champion Jiri Prochazka looks to start another reign at top when he takes on Carlos Ulberg. Prochazka comes in on a two-fight win streak and a third-round knockout win over Khalil Rountree in an incredible fight in October. Ulberg looks to bring another UFC title to New Zealand on the heels of nine consecutive wins.
In the co-main event, undefeated light heavyweight contender Azamat Murzakanov looks to earn a title shot and a 17th straight win as he battles former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa.
Also on the main card is a heavyweight bout pitting Curtis Blaydes against Josh Hokit; light heavyweight bout between Dominick Reyes and Johnny Walker; and long-time UFC and WEC veteran Cub Swanson in his retirement bout against Nate Landwehr.
A two-hour block of fights airs on CBS at 8 p.m. eastern time, featuring the main card bouts between Reyes and Walker, and Swanson and Landwehr. Two prelim bouts also air which sees a battle of former Bellator stars Patricio Pitbull and Aaron Pico; and Kevin Holland takes on Randy Brown.
PRELIMS | 5:30 PM ET/2:30 PM PT
> Welterweights- Charles Radtke (11-5, 4-2 UFC) vs. Francisco Prado (12-4, 1-4 UFC)
They trade and Prado lands a left hook and then one to the body and a body kick. Radtke briefly hurts Prado with a jab. Radtke scores a takedown. They scramble and Radtke is able to remain on top. Radtke lands and they scramble, but Radtke is able to keep it down and is on the back of Prado. Prado is able to spin, but Radtke remains on top and is landing punches. Prado rolls for a leg and looks for a leg lock, but Radtke lands a left hand and stands to escape. Radtke gets back on top and lands some left hands. Radtke lands an elbow and a couple more to end the round. 10-9 Radtke.
Radtke lands a left hand as Prado lands a kick. Radtke with another jab. He lands another. Radtke scores a takedown and takes the back. Radtke has the hooks on as Prado is standing with Radtke on his back. Radtke is attacking an arm. They’re now fully on the mat and Radtke lands from the back. Prado is able to spin into the guard of Radtke and lands an elbow. Prado stands and lands and jumps back into the half-guard of Radtke. Radtke lands from the bottom and Prado with a pair of elbows to the body and head. Radtke with some elbows from the bottom that cut Prado open. Prado is bleeding badly, though he lands from the top. Both land elbows. 10-9 Radtke, 20-18 Radtke.
Radtke lands a combination and Prado lands a leg kick. Both land in close range. Radtke lands a right hand. Radtke with a left to the body but gets poked in the eye and timeout is called. Prado gets a point taken away and they get back to action. Radtke looks for a takedown but Prado defends it and lands a body kick. Radtke looks for another takedown but Prado defends it. Prado lands as they break and Radtke lands a right hand. They trade and Radtke looks for a takedown as Prado locks in a guillotine choke. It is in tight but Radtke is able to escape. Radtke is on top and lands. Radtke jumps on the back and looks for a choke. Prado is able to reverse to the top and lands. 9-9 round due to the point deduction, 29-27 Radtke.
Fight Result- Charles Radtke def. Francisco Prado by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
> Middleweights- Kelvin Gastelum (20-10 1 NC, 14-10 1 NC UFC) vs. Vicente Luque (23-12-1, 16-8 UFC)
Luque lands a leg kick. Gastelum lands a pair of left hands. Luque lands a kick but eats another overhand left from Gastelum. Luque lands a pair of leg kicks but eats a combination from Gastelum. They trade and Gastelum scores a takedown. Gastelum lands and they stand. Luque lands a right hook and Gastelum goes down. Luque gets into the guard of Gastelum and lands a pair of elbows. Luque looking for a front choke and a D’Arce choke. He has an anaconda choke locked in and Gastelum taps! Luque picks up the submission win.
Fight Result- Vicente Luque def. Kelvin Gastelum by submission (D’Arce choke) at 4:08 of Round 1
> Lightweights*- Chris Padilla (17-6, 4-0 UFC) vs. MarQuel Mederos (11-1, 3-0 UFC)
*Padilla missed weight by two pounds
Padilla lands a jab. They clinch and Mederos lands a knee as Padilla has advantage. Mederos lands another knee and they separate. Padilla lands a leg kick and Mederos returns one of his own. Padilla with a right hand. Padilla lands a pair of right hands. They clinch and both land a knee. Padilla has Mederos against the fence and lands a pair of knees. Mederos lands two elbows to force separation. Mederos lands a combo and they tie back up. They break apart. Padilla lands and lands some knees in a brief clinch. Padilla lands a leg kick and a right hand. They trade leg kicks and Mederos lands an elbow. Padilla lands in close range. Padilla with a combo and they clinch. They break apart and Mederos lands a leg kick. Mederos lands an elbow that cuts Padilla open. Padilla with some knees against the fence. 10-9 Padilla.
Mederos lands a leg kick and Padilla connects with a right hand. Mederos lands a combination. Padilla lands a series of leg kicks. They both land inside the pocket. Padilla with a leg kick followed by a body kick as he’s landing with more volume. They clinch and Padilla lands before they separate. Mederos lands a nice elbow. They both land in the pocket against the fence. Padilla works the jab and lands an elbow. Timeout is called for an eye poke by Mederos. They quickly get back to action. Padilla lands a right hand. Mederos with an inside kick. Padilla lands to the body as Mederos connects with an elbow. They’re both landing with high volume in close range. Padilla hurts Mederos briefly with an elbow. Mederos lands some kicks. Padilla staying active but Mederos connects with a right hand. Padilla lands an elbow and a leg kick as Mederos lands a combo. Padilla lands some leg kicks and Mederos gets a late takedown. 10-9 Padilla, 20-18 Padilla.
They trade in close range as Padilla pushes it to the fence, but Mederos circles away. Mederos lands an elbow. Padilla lands a knee but eats a combo from Mederos. Mederos with another elbow. Padilla pressing forward as Mederos circles out. Mederos lands a right hand. Padilla with a combo against the fence and he scores a takedown. Padilla has control from the back. Mederos grabs the fence twice as they work to their feet and he forces a break. Mederos lands a right hand. He lands another. Mederos with an elbow. Padilla lands an elbow as they tie up and he is pouring on the quick volume. Padilla mixes to the head and body. Padilla with a right hand and Mederos lands a counter short flurry. Mederos lands a knee but pokes Padilla in the eye at the same time. Mederos has a point taken away and they get back going. Padilla lands more as they get back going. Mederos with a leg kick. They trade late and Padilla lands a pair of knees. 10-8 Padilla, 30-26 Padilla.
Fight Result- Chris Padilla vs. MarQuel Mederos declared a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
> Women’s Strawweights- #2 Tatiana Suarez (11-1, 8-1 UFC) vs. #6 Loopy Godinez (14-5, 9-5 UFC)
Suarez throwing punches and lands a front body kick. Godinez lands a right hand and has Suarez hurt. Godinez lands a series of punches on the ground as she has the back of Suarez. They scramble up and Godinez has the back and gets a big suplex takedown. Suarez gets up and Godinez lands a knee to the body. Godinez with some elbows against the fence and Suarez is able to score a takedown. Suarez landing punches to the head and body from the top. Godinez lands an elbow from the bottom. Suarez with a hammerfist. Suarez with lots of shots from the top. 10-9 Suarez.
They trade before clinching and Suarez lands some knees. Suarez grabs the neck but lets go and is working for a takedown against the fence. Suarez has the back and Godinez grabs the fence, but Suarez gets Godinez down. Suarez locks in a rear-naked choke but doesn’t have it on with both hands. She locks in it tighter and Godinez taps! Suarez picks up a dominant win.
Fight Result- Tatiana Suarez def. Loopy Godinez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:29 of Round 2
> Lightweights- #8 Mateusz Gamrot (25-4 1 NC, 8-4 UFC) vs. Esteban Ribovics (15-2, 4-2 UFC)
Gamrot lands the jab. They trade left hands and Gamrot back working the jab. Gamrot scores a takedown and is in side control. Gamrot lands an elbow and then a left hand from the side. Gamrot has the back as Ribovics is trying to scramble up. They stand but Gamrot drags it back down from the back. Ribovics tries to get out but Gamrot ends up back on top in side control. Gamrot with some elbows to the body. 10-9 Gamrot.
Ribovics lands a front kick. Ribovics with a leg kick. Gamrot with a body kick. Gamrot lands a jab and looks for a takedown, but Ribovics sprawls. Ribovics lands a left hand. Gamrot ducks under and scores a takedown. They scramble up and Gamrot gets it back down and has the back. Gamrot rolls to side control. Gamrot lands an elbow from the top. Gamrot gets an arm-triangle choke locked in. Ribovics is defending but it is in tight. Ribovics looks almost out but he ends up tapping out.
Fight Result- Mateusz Gamrot def. Esteban Ribovics by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:19 of Round 2
> Welterweights- Kevin Holland (28-15 1 NC, 15-12 1 NC UFC) vs. Randy Brown (20-7, 14-7 UFC)
They trade leg kicks. Brown lands a right hand and Holland lands a calf kick. Brown lands a big left hook. Holland lands a calf kick and Brown buckles a little. Holland with another hard calf kick but Brown is landing punches. They trade punches and Brown slips to the mat. Holland gets on top and lands some punches. Brown gets Holland inside his full guard. Brown with some elbows from the bottom. Holland lands to the body as Brown is looking for a triangle choke. Holland slams himself out of trouble but Brown lands a pair of upkicks. Brown looks for an armbar. They both land on the mat and Holland with some shots. 10-9 Brown.
They trade. Holland lands a leg kick. Brown lands a right hand. Holland with a side kick to the body followed by a leg kick. Holland grabs the neck and locks in an anaconda choke and drags it down to the mat. Brown is fighting it and Holland locks in it deeper. Brown was able to fight it off and they stand and both land knees. Holland lands a spinning elbow as they separate. Holland lands a leg kick. Holland looks for a takedown and lands a spinning elbow. Holland grabs the neck but lets go against the fence. Brown lands to the body. 10-9 Holland, 19-19.
Holland lands a right hand as Brown works the jab. Holland lands some short uppercuts. Holland with a pair of leg kicks. Brown with a left hand and they clinch against the fence. Holland with some slaps to the ears of Brown. Holland has body control but Brown lands a knee. They separate and both throw. Holland with a pair of jabs and a right hand. Holland lands a leg kick. Brown pushes Holland against the fence looking for a takedown. They battle in the clinch and Holland lands short punches. Holland with elbows along the fence. Holland with some shoulder strikes. Close fight. 10-9 Holland, 29-28 Holland.
Fight Result- Kevin Holland def. Randy Brown by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Featherweights- #13 Patricio Pitbull (37-8, 1-1 UFC) vs. Aaron Pico (13-5, 0-1 UFC)
Pico lands a left hand and some leg kicks. Pitbull lands a right hand. Pitbull with another right hand and Pico almost gets a takedown. Pitbull shakes loose against the fence. Pitbull with a calf kick. Pitbull with a combo and a leg kick as Pico lands a pair of right hands. They trade left hands. Pico lands a left hand and scores a takedown. Pitbull scrambles up but Pico has the back along the fence. They separate. Pico lands a right hand. Pico lands a hard combination. Pico with a leg kick. Pico lands another right hand. Pitbull lands a combo. 10-9 Pico.
Pitbull lands a combo. Pico lands a combo and a left hand. Pico with another hard left hand. Pico with a leg kick followed by a combo, and he then hurts Pitbull with a punch. Pitbull with an inside leg kick and then lands a calf kick. Pico with a takedown, but Pitbull gets right back to his feet. Pico with an elbow as they break. Pico lands a combo and a body kick. Pico with a left hook and Pitbull lands a leg kick. Pico lands to the body. Pico hurts Pitbull with a big right hand. Pico with a left hook to the body. Pico with another combo. Pico lands a right hand. They trade and Pico lands two big right hands. Pico scores a takedown. Pico with a pair of elbows and some left hands from the top. 10-9 Pico, 20-18 Pico.
Pico lands a combination and then a left hook to the body. Pico with a body kick. Pitbull lands a leg kick. Pico lands a combination. Pitbull lands a right hand. Pico grabs the body lock and looks for a takedown. They’re clinched and both land knees to the body. Pico lands a combo as they separate. Pico gets the back and scores a takedown. Pitbull tries to get up but Pico keeps him down. They separate. 10-9 Pico, 30-27 Pico.
Fight Result- Aaron Pico def. Patricio Pitbull by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
MAIN CARD | 9 PM ET/6 PM PT
> Featherweights- Cub Swanson (30-14, 14-10 UFC) vs. Nate Landwehr (18-7, 5-5 UFC)
Swanson lands a pair of leg kicks. Swanson with a left hand to the body followed by a calf kick. Landwehr lands a leg kick. Swanson lands a jab. Landwehr lands a calf kick. Swanson lands a right hand. Swanson lands a combination. Swanson lands to the body. He lands a big right hand to the body followed by a flurry that had Landwehr briefly hurt. Swanson lands a right hand. Landwehr lands a right hand after Swanson connects. Swanson lands a left hand and Landwehr goes down. Landwehr gets up but gets put back down after Swanson lands. They stand and Swanson lands to the body. Swanson with a calf kick. Swanson drops Landwehr with a massive right hand and it is stopped! What a performance from Swanson in his retirement.
Fight Result- Cub Swanson def. Nate Landwehr by TKO (punch) at 4:06 of Round 1
> Light Heavyweights- #10 Dominick Reyes (15-5, 9-5 UFC) vs. #12 Johnny Walker (22-9 1 NC, 8-6 1 NC UFC)
Walker lands a leg kick. Reyes with a head kick that Walker partially blocks. Walker lands a pair of leg kicks. Walker with more leg kicks. Reyes lands a leg kick and a left hand just misses. Reyes lands a body kick. Walker with a leg kick and Reyes lands a high kick. Walker with a high kick. Walker with a leg kick. They trade kicks. Walker with two leg kicks as Reyes lands a left hand. Walker with a pair of kicks and both misses punch attempts. 10-9 Walker.
Reyes lands a leg kick. Walker with a leg kick. Reyes lands a body kick. Walker with a pair of kicks. Reyes lands a left hand. Walker with a body kick. They trade punches. Reyes lands a high kick. Walker with an inside leg kick. Walker lands a pair of leg kicks. Reyes with a body kick. Walker with a high kick. Reyes lands a left hand. Walker lands a high kick and looks for a takedown, but Reyes defends. 10-9 Reyes, 19-19.
They trade kicks. Reyes with a leg kick. Reyes lands a high kick. Reyes with a leg kick. Walker with a high kick as they’re barely fighting. They trade leg kicks. Walker with a pair of leg kicks. Reyes lands a pair of kicks. They trade kicks. Reyes with a pair of kicks. Walker with a front kick. A totally boring fight. 10-9 Walker, 29-28 Walker.
Fight Result- Dominick Reyes def. Johnny Walker by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Heavyweights- #5 Curtis Blaydes (19-5 1 NC, 14-5 1 NC UFC) vs. Josh Hokit (8-0, 2-0 UFC)
Hokit lands a right hand. Blaydes grabs a single leg but Hokit spins out. Blaydes rocks Hokit with a jab but then Hokit hurts Blaydes with a right hand. They trade. Hokit lands a combo. Hokit lands a right hand and Blaydes is hurt. They trade big punches. Blaydes gets the back and briefly gets Hokit down. Blaydes is busted up but lands from the back. They break apart. Blaydes gets Hokit back down but they stand with Blaydes on the back. Blaydes with some uppercuts from the back and a knee. Blaydes lands a right hand as they break. Blaydes lands a jab. Hokit is running away. Blaydes teeing off against the fence on Hokit. Hokit connects and Blaydes lands an uppercut. Blaydes with big punches. Blaydes lands an elbow. Blaydes lands to the body. They break apart. Hokit loses his mouth piece. They are both exhausted. 10-9 Blaydes.
They’re trading to start the second. Blaydes looks for a takedown but Hokit defends and they separate. Hokit lands a right hand. They trade inside the pocket. They both land a right hand. Hokit with a pair of uppercuts and they clinch against the fence. Blaydes lands a right hand. Blaydes lands an uppercut. Blaydes with a double jab. They tie up and both land an uppercut. Blaydes lands to the body and they break. Hokit lands a right hand. Hokit lands again and Blaydes is hurt. Hokit lands a big combination. Blaydes lands an uppercut. Blaydes now hurts Hokit. Blaydes with a pair of leg kicks. They tie up and Blaydes lands to the body. Blaydes with a series of uppercuts. They separate. Blaydes lands a right hand. Blaydes lands while tied up and then lands a big right hand. 10-9 Hokit, 19-19.
They come out trading and Blaydes lands a big leg kick. Blaydes looks for a takedown but Hokit slips out. Blaydes lands a big right hand. They tie up and Blaydes with some short uppercuts. Hokit lands a left hand. They trade jabs. Hokit lands a stiff jab. Blaydes lands a right hand. Blaydes lands a big left hand. They trade punches and Blaydes lands a right hand. They trade elbows while tied up. Blaydes lands a jab. Blaydes with a right hand. Hokit lands some elbows while tied up. Hokit lands a combo. Blaydes connects with a right hand. Blaydes with an elbow. They trade uppercuts in the clinch. They trade right hands. Hokit lands a right hand. Blaydes lands a combination. Hokit with an elbow. They trade late. Close fight. 10-9 Hokit, 29-28 Hokit.
Fight Result- Josh Hokit def. Curtis Blaydes by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Light Heavyweights- #6 Azamat Murzakanov (16-0, 6-0 UFC) vs. #14 MW Paulo Costa (15-4, 7-4 UFC)
Costa lands a leg kick. He lands another that trips Murzakanov up. Murzakanov lands a jab. Costa with a leg kick. Costa with a head kick then a hard body kick. Murzakanov continues to press forward and lands to the body. Costa with an inside leg kick. Costa lands a body kick. Murzakanov just barely lands a left hand but gets poked in the eye, so timeout is called. They return to action. Costa with an inside leg kick. Costa connects with a body kick. Murzakanov lands and Costa lands a knee. Costa with a right hand. Another leg kick lands by Costa. Costa hurts Murzakanov with a punch and Murzakanov slips to the mat. Costa gets on top and lands. Costa with a pair of elbows. Costa lands and hurts Murzakanov as he stands. Costa lands a head kick and a right hand. 10-9 Costa.
Costa with a head kick. Costa with another inside leg kick. Murzakanov lands a spinning back fist. Costa with a body kick. Murzakanov lands a jab. Murzakanov lands to the body and lands a right hand. Costa lands a right hand. Murzakanov lands a left hand. Murzakanov lands a combination and Costa is hurt. Murzakanov briefly gets Costa down but they get right up. Murzakanov lands a left hand to the body and to the head. Costa lands a body shot and Murzakanov then gets Costa down. Murzakanov had a choke in but Costa escapes. Murzakanov lands a knee and Costa lands one. 10-9 Murzakanov, 19-19.
Costa lands a leg kick followed by a body kick. He lands a head kick and a right hand. Murzakanov lands a left hand. Costa with two more right hands and works the jab and lands a high kick. Costa with a right hand to the body. Costa lands a body kick. Costa rocks Murzakanov with a head kick and Murzakanov ends up going down and it is all over! What a finish from Costa!
Fight Result- Paulo Costa def. Azamat Murzakanov by TKO (head kick) at 1:23 of Round 3
> UFC Light Heavyweight Championship- Jiri Prochazka (32-5-1, 6-2 UFC) vs. Carlos Ulberg (13-1, 9-1 UFC)
Ulberg starts with a pair of leg kicks. Prochazka lands a leg kick. Ulberg lands a leg kick. He lands another one. Prochazka with a left hook. They trade and Prochazka lands a pair of leg kicks. Prochazka lands a jab and Ulberg’s leg is hurt. Ulberg with a combo. Prochazka lands a pair of leg kicks. Ulberg seems to have a knee injury but he’s still fighting. Ulberg with a high kick but he’s having trouble standing. Prochazka lands a leg kick. Ulberg drops Prochazka with a left hand and is landing shots from the top and Prochazka goes out! Wow, what a finish from Ulberg despite being on one leg!
Fight Result- Carlos Ulberg def. Jiri Prochazka by knockout (punches) at 3:45 of Round 1 to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
MMA writer & live coverage specialist, contributor to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter