Paulo Costa attempts to provoke Azamat Murzakanov before UFC 327 bout

Paulo Costa attempted to get under Azamat Murzakanov's skin during their pre-fight interactions ahead of UFC 327, scheduled for April 11, but the Russian contender responded to the Brazilian's gamesmanship with nothing more than a smile.

Costa, known as "The Eraser," is a 35-year-old Brazilian fighting out of Team Borracha. He holds a 16-4-0 professional record and is ranked 13th in the middleweight division, though this contest is booked at light heavyweight. An orthodox striker standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, Costa is one of the more aggressive pressure fighters in the UFC, averaging 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at a 58 percent striking accuracy rate.

Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," enters the fight with a 16-1-0 record and sits at number 12 in the light heavyweight rankings. The 37-year-old southpaw from Russia trains with K Dojo Warrior Tribe and stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach. He averages 4.70 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent accuracy clip and adds a modest takedown threat at 0.55 per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Costa is moving up to light heavyweight for this contest, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the divisional stakes.
• A win for Murzakanov would strengthen his case for a higher ranking inside a competitive 205-pound division.
• The style matchup pits Costa's relentless high-volume striking against Murzakanov's composed, measured approach — a contrast made visible even in their pre-fight exchanges.
• Costa's failed attempt to provoke a reaction suggests Murzakanov is entering the bout with a disciplined mental game to match his in-cage composure.