Paulo Costa attempts to provoke Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 faceoff

Paulo Costa made a calculated effort to rattle Azamat Murzakanov during their face-off at UFC 327 fight week activities ahead of their co-main event clash scheduled for April 11, 2026.

Costa, known as "The Eraser," enters the bout at 16-4-0 and sits ranked thirteenth in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old Brazilian out of Team Borracha is one of the more physically imposing strikers in the UFC, landing an eye-catching 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, he fights out of an orthodox stance and brings a relentless forward pressure style that has defined his career.

Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," gave little back during the confrontation — responding only with a calm smile as Costa pressed for a reaction. The 37-year-old Russian carries a 16-1-0 record and holds the twelfth spot in the light heavyweight rankings, competing for K Dojo Warrior Tribe. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, he stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach and lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy. His composed demeanor at the face-off appeared entirely consistent with his nickname.

Why it matters

• Costa is a middleweight stepping up to light heavyweight, adding an unusual divisional dynamic to the matchup
• Both fighters sit just outside the top ten in their respective divisions, making a strong performance valuable for rankings movement
• The contrasting styles — Costa's high-volume orthodox attack versus Murzakanov's southpaw counterpunching — set up an intriguing technical puzzle
• Murzakanov's unshaken composure at the face-off suggests Costa's psychological tactics failed to achieve their intended effect heading into fight night