Paulo Costa defeated Azamat Murzakanov by knockout in the third round. The finish came via high kick, ending what was described as a tactical chess match. Murzakanov's approach was criticized as monotonous and one-dimensional throughout the fight. Costa employed excellent tactics to secure the victory. This represents Murzakanov's first career loss after a 6-0 start in the UFC, while Costa earns his second consecutive win.
Paulo Costa delivered a stunning high kick knockout in the third round to stop Azamat Murzakanov on April 12, 2026, earning his second straight victory and handing the Russian his first professional defeat.
Costa, known as "The Eraser," improves to 16-4 at middleweight, where he is currently ranked 13th. The 35-year-old Brazilian out of Team Borracha is one of the sport's most prolific strikers, landing an impressive 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. His performance against Murzakanov showcased the tactical side of his game before the explosive finish brought the contest to a close.
Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," entered the fight riding a perfect 6-0 UFC record and had compiled an overall mark of 16-0. The 37-year-old Russian, who trains with K Dojo Warrior Tribe, operates from a southpaw stance and stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach. He averages 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy. Despite his unblemished record, his approach drew criticism throughout this contest for being repetitive and one-dimensional, and he now sits at 16-1 overall, ranked 12th in the light heavyweight division.
Why it matters
- Costa earns consecutive wins, strengthening his case to climb the middleweight rankings from his current 13th position.
- Murzakanov suffers his first career loss, a significant setback for a fighter who had built steady momentum in the light heavyweight top 15.
- The finish highlighted a notable stylistic contrast, with Costa's high-volume, high-accuracy striking proving too dynamic for Murzakanov's more limited offensive approach.
- The cross-divisional nature of the matchup adds intrigue, as Murzakanov competes at light heavyweight while Costa is a middleweight, raising questions about future divisional direction for both fighters.
