Paulo Costa attempts to provoke Azamat Murzakanov, who only smiles in response

Paulo Costa's attempt to get inside Azamat Murzakanov's head at a pre-fight encounter ahead of UFC 327 fell decidedly flat, with the Russian contender greeting the Brazilian's taunts with nothing more than a calm smile.

Costa, 35, carries a 16-4 record into the co-main event and has long leaned on his combative personality as part of his competitive identity. Fighting out of Team Borracha, the orthodox middleweight ranked thirteenth in his division is one of the sport's most prolific strikers, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. Known as "The Eraser," the six-foot-one Brazilian brings a 72-inch reach and a relentless pressure style that rarely gives opponents a moment to breathe.

Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," appeared entirely unbothered by Costa's antics, and the nickname may well explain why. The 37-year-old southpaw from Russia holds a 16-1 record and sits twelfth in the light heavyweight rankings, fighting out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe. Standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, he lands 4.70 significant strikes per minute at a 57 percent clip, and his composed demeanor at the pre-fight meeting suggested he intends to let his performance do the talking on Saturday night.

Why it matters

• Costa's psychological pressure tactics are a known part of his gameplan, and their apparent failure against Murzakanov may signal a mental edge for the Russian entering fight night.
• A win for either man would carry serious divisional weight: Costa would re-establish himself in the middleweight picture, while Murzakanov could push firmly into light heavyweight title contention from his twelfth-ranked position.
• The stylistic contrast is notable — Costa's relentless forward pressure meets a fighter who has proven he will not be rattled before the first bell even rings.