Paulo Costa attempts to provoke Azamat Murzakanov, who responds with smile

Paulo Costa made an attempt to get inside Azamat Murzakanov's head during a pre-fight face-off ahead of their bout this weekend, but the Russian light heavyweight responded with nothing more than a smile.

Costa, nicknamed "The Eraser," enters the fight at 16-4-0 and ranks 13th in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old Brazilian trains out of Team Borracha and brings a notably aggressive striking game to the cage. He lands an impressive 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, making him one of the more prolific volume strikers in the sport. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, he fights out of an orthodox stance and has shown little interest in the grappling side of the game.

Murzakanov, who goes by "The Professional," carries a 16-1-0 record into the contest and sits 12th in the light heavyweight rankings. The 37-year-old Russian, training with K Dojo Warrior Tribe, appears to have taken his nickname to heart. His composed reaction to Costa's provocation was consistent with a fighter who controls his emotions before a bout. He lands 4.70 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy and averages 0.55 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a slightly more well-rounded offensive profile in the striking exchanges.

Why it matters

• Costa is a middleweight moving up to face a ranked light heavyweight, adding a physical dimension to an already intriguing stylistic matchup.
• Murzakanov's calm demeanor in the face of mind games suggests he will not be drawn into a chaotic brawl on Costa's terms.
• Both fighters are accomplished strikers operating at similar accuracy levels, which sets up a compelling standup contest.
• A win for either man carries real rankings implications in a competitive 205-pound division.