Paulo Costa attempts to provoke Azamat Murzakanov before UFC 327

Paulo Costa made a visible effort to get inside Azamat Murzakanov's head during pre-fight promotion ahead of UFC 327, scheduled for April 11. Murzakanov met the Brazilian's provocations with a composed smile, refusing to take the bait.

Costa, known as "The Eraser," carries a 16-4-0 record and is ranked 13th in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old from Brazil trains with Team Borracha and is one of the more aggressive strikers in the sport, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. His orthodox stance and 72-inch reach complement a forward-pressure style that has made him a fan favorite, even through recent setbacks.

Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," brings a 16-1-0 record into the bout and sits at number 12 in the light heavyweight rankings. The 37-year-old Russian southpaw out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach and lands 4.70 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy. His lone professional loss has done little to dull his standing in a loaded division.

Why it matters

• Costa's attempt to gain a psychological edge suggests he is looking to disrupt Murzakanov's focus heading into fight night
• Murzakanov's composed response signals a mental steadiness that could be an asset in a high-pressure main card environment
• The matchup pits Costa's relentless forward pressure and volume striking against Murzakanov's southpaw counter-punching game
• Both fighters sit just outside the top ten in their respective divisions, making a strong performance crucial for either man's ranking ambitions