Paulo Costa tried to provoke Azamat Murzakanov during a recent encounter, but Murzakanov only smiled in response. The two fighters are scheduled to face each other this weekend. Murzakanov appeared unbothered by Costa's attempts at gamesmanship. The interaction was captured on video. The composed reaction from Murzakanov suggests he is not affected by pre-fight mind games.
Paulo Costa made an attempt to get inside Azamat Murzakanov's head during a pre-fight encounter this week, but the Russian light heavyweight responded with nothing more than a smile. The two are set to meet this weekend, and video of the interaction has already begun circulating online.
Costa, nicknamed "The Eraser," enters the bout ranked 13th in the middleweight division with a professional record of 16-4-0. The 35-year-old Brazilian out of Team Borracha stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach and has built his reputation on high-output striking, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. His pressure-heavy, orthodox style has made him one of the more entertaining fighters on the roster, even as recent losses have slid him down the rankings.
Murzakanov, who fights out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe, carries an impressive 16-1-0 record and sits 12th in the light heavyweight division. The 37-year-old Russian southpaw, nicknamed "The Professional," stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach. He lands 4.70 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy and averages 0.55 takedowns per 15 minutes. His nickname appeared fitting during the face-off, as he visibly refused to engage with Costa's provocations.
Why it matters
- Costa is a middleweight moving up or competing as a guest at light heavyweight, creating an unusual divisional dynamic
- Murzakanov's composed response signals strong mental discipline heading into the fight
- Both fighters rely primarily on striking, with nearly identical accuracy percentages, setting up a potential stand-and-trade contest
- A win for either man would carry meaningful weight given their current rankings positions and the visibility of the pre-fight moment
