UFC 327: 5 Biggest Takeaways From A Wild Night In Miami

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Carlos Ulberg of New Zealand celebrates after his victory via knockout over Jiri Prochazka of Czechia, not pictured, in a light heavyweight title bout during UFC 327 at the Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

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HIGHLIGHTS

• The new champion may have delivered one of the gutsiest performances in UFC history.
• A heavyweight brawl surpassed a legendary 2012 classic for best ever in the division.
• A former WWE Superstar and Olympic champion just signed with the UFC.

UFC 327 from the Kaseya Center in Miami was one of the wildest UFC events in a while. President Donald Trump was on hand and the crowd was raucous. We saw a new champion crowned and much more. Here are the five biggest takeaways from UFC 327.

Ulberg Wins Title on One Leg

Carlos Ulberg put together an all-time performance winning the title on one leg. However, having suffered what many believe to be a torn ACL means he'll probably be on the shelf for close to a year or longer. Talk about bittersweet.

Ulberg KO’d Jiri Prochazka to claim the vacant light heavyweight title that Alex Pereira surrendered to move up to heavyweight. The UFC 327 results piece has the full breakdown, but Prochazka’s post-fight interview is a tough watch.

Hokit-Blaydes Is the Greatest Heavyweight Fight Ever

Love him or hate him, Josh Hokit has injected life into the UFC's heavyweight division. His brawl with Curtis Blaydes passes Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva vs. Mark Hunt for best heavyweight fight in my book. That one wins Fight of the Night on almost any card. It also set Hokit's immediate future up well.

Hokit won 29-28 on all three scorecards in a nonstop war that had the Miami crowd on their feet for three straight rounds.

Hokit-Lewis Booked for the White House Card

The UFC booked Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis for the White House card. It's a good fit for a card light on American star power and noteworthy heavyweight representation. Trump asked White about Lewis during the event, Rogan suggested Hokit during the broadcast, and White made the call.

The Hokit-Lewis announcement piece has the full timeline of how it came together.

UFC Signs Gable Steveson

Former WWE Superstar, Olympic and collegiate wrestling champion and NFL player, Gable Steveson has gotten his wish. He was on hand for UFC 327 and during the broadcast it was announced he has signed with the promotion. He'll make his UFC debut during UFC Fight Week.

Steveson's wrestling credentials are elite. The signing gives the UFC another marquee American heavyweight with crossover appeal.

Cub Swanson's Retirement Fight

Cub Swanson looked great in his retirement fight. On the heels of Michael Chiesa's victorious retirement fight over Niko Price, aging veterans are going out in style. Swanson swarmed and overwhelmed Nate Landwehr to pick up the sentimental victory.

Swanson, 42, KO'd Landwehr in the first round with a barrage of punches at 4:06. A fitting end to a career that spanned nearly two decades.

Bonus Winners

$100,000 Performance of the Night: Josh Hokit, Carlos Ulberg

$100,000 Fight of the Night: Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit

$25,000 Finish Bonuses: Paulo Costa, Cub Swanson, Mateusz Gamrot, Tatiana Suarez, Vicente Luque

Full Results

Main Card (Paramount+)

• Carlos Ulberg def. Jiri Prochazka via KO (punches), R2 — Vacant LHW Title
• Paulo Costa def. Azamat Murzakanov via KO, R3, 1:23
• Josh Hokit def. Curtis Blaydes via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Dominick Reyes def. Johnny Walker via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Cub Swanson def. Nate Landwehr via KO (punch), R1, 4:06

Prelims (Paramount+)

• Aaron Pico def. Patricio Pitbull via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Randy Brown def. Kevin Holland via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Mateusz Gamrot def. Esteban Ribovics via submission (arm triangle), R2, 4:19
• Tatiana Suarez def. Loopy Godinez via submission (RNC), R2, 2:29

Early Prelims (Paramount+)

• Chris Padilla vs. MarQuel Mederos — Majority Draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
• Kelvin Gastelum def. Vicente Luque via submission (anaconda choke), R1, 4:08
• Francisco Prado def. Charles Radtke via UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

This article was originally published on Forbes.com