Paulo Costa attempts provocation during Azamat Murzakanov face-off

Paulo Costa's pre-fight mind games fell flat at the UFC 327 face-off on Thursday, as Azamat Murzakanov met the Brazilian's attempts at provocation with nothing more than a calm smile.

Costa, known as "The Eraser," enters the contest at 16-4-0 and is ranked 13th in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old Brazilian trains out of Team Borracha and is one of the more aggressive strikers in his weight class, averaging an eye-catching 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy. His output is among the highest in the sport, and Saturday's fight will be a showcase of his forward-pressure orthodox style.

Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," carries a record of 16-1-0 and sits 12th in the light heavyweight rankings. The 37-year-old Russian southpaw out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe has been equally sharp on the feet, landing 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy. His composed demeanor at the face-off was consistent with his reputation, brushing off Costa's gamesmanship without a word.

Why it matters

• Costa is moving up from middleweight to light heavyweight, adding a divisional wrinkle to an already intriguing matchup.
• Both fighters are ranked in their respective divisions, meaning a strong performance could shift either man's standing with the top ten in sight.
• The contrast in styles — Costa's high-volume orthodox aggression against Murzakanov's southpaw counterpunching — sets up a compelling technical puzzle on the feet.
• Murzakanov's refusal to engage in the psychological battle suggests he intends to let his fists do the talking when the two meet inside the octagon at UFC 327 on Friday night.