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

Paulo Costa made a visible attempt to get under Azamat Murzakanov's skin during a pre-fight encounter ahead of their bout this weekend, but the Russian responded with nothing more than a smile.

Costa, 35, fights out of Brazil and carries a 16-4 record in the middleweight division, where he is currently ranked 13th. Nicknamed "The Eraser," the orthodox striker is one of the more physically imposing fighters in the 185-pound class, standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach. His offensive output is among the heaviest in the sport, with 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute and a striking accuracy of 58 percent, making his aggression both prolific and precise.

Murzakanov, competing at light heavyweight, entered the week with a 16-1 record and sits 12th in the 205-pound rankings. The 37-year-old Russian, known as "The Professional," trains out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe and fights as a southpaw. He stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach and lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy, complementing his output with 0.55 takedowns per 15 minutes.

The pre-fight moment underscored the personality contrast between the two. Costa leaned into the theatrics, while Murzakanov's composed reaction suggested little interest in engaging on anything other than fight night.

Why it matters

• Costa is a ranked middleweight stepping up in weight to face a light heavyweight, adding an unusual divisional dynamic to the bout.
• Murzakanov's calm demeanor in the face of provocation aligns with his "The Professional" persona and could reflect a focused mental approach heading into the fight.
• Both fighters rely heavily on striking, setting up a potentially explosive stand-up exchange with comparable accuracy numbers on both sides.