Paulo Costa has stated that he enjoys fighting opponents from Russia, describing them as tough fighters. The Brazilian most recently defeated Roman Kopylov in the octagon. Costa was also previously scheduled to face Russian fighters Ikram Aliskerov and Khamzat Chimaev, though both of those bouts ultimately fell through and never took place. Costa's upcoming fight at UFC 327 will see him face another Russian opponent in Azamat Murzakanov.
Paulo Costa has made no secret of his appreciation for Russian competition, stating publicly that he enjoys fighting opponents from Russia and describing them as tough fighters — comments that come with another Russian matchup on the horizon at UFC 327.
Costa, nicknamed "The Eraser," carries a 16-4 record into the bout and currently sits ranked thirteenth in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old Brazilian out of Team Borracha is one of the sport's most aggressive pressure fighters, landing an impressive 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, he generates elite offensive output but rarely looks to take the fight to the ground, averaging just 0.32 takedowns per 15 minutes with no submission attempts on record.
His most recent outing saw him defeat fellow middleweight Roman Kopylov, a 34-year-old southpaw from Russia who holds a 15-5 record and is ranked fourteenth in the division. Kopylov lands 4.59 significant strikes per minute but connects at a 50 percent clip, and he owns a 75-inch reach despite standing an even six feet tall.
Costa had previously been scheduled to meet two other Russian fighters — Ikram Aliskerov and the highly ranked Khamzat Chimaev — though neither of those matchups came to fruition. Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, holds a 15-1 record and is widely regarded as among the most dangerous fighters in the weight class, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 60 percent striking accuracy.
Why it matters
- Costa versus Murzakanov continues a pattern of the Brazilian drawing Russian opposition, a dynamic he openly embraces
- A win over Murzakanov could strengthen Costa's position at thirteenth in a competitive middleweight landscape
- The bout represents a chance for Costa to build momentum after bookings against Aliskerov and Chimaev both collapsed before fight night
