Daniel Cormier has given high praise to Paulo Costa's performance in his victory over Azamat Murzakanov. The win was particularly significant as it marked Costa's first finish since 2018, when he defeated Uriah Hall. Prior to this recent success, Costa had not been on a winning streak of two or more fights since 2019. The long gap between finishes highlights how important this performance was for Costa's career trajectory. Cormier's positive assessment suggests Costa demonstrated a return to his earlier dominant form in the cage.
Daniel Cormier has publicly praised Paulo Costa following Costa's victory over Azamat Murzakanov, calling the Brazilian's performance a strong return to form.
Costa, who competes at middleweight and holds a professional record of 16 wins and 4 losses, entered the fight ranked thirteenth in his division. The 35-year-old from Brazil trains out of Team Borracha and has long been regarded as one of the more dangerous strikers in the weight class, averaging an impressive 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. The win over Murzakanov was notable for more than just the result — it represented Costa's first finish since 2018 and ended a stretch that had seen him unable to string together two or more consecutive victories since 2019.
That 2018 finish came against Uriah Hall, a Jamaican striker with an 18-11 record who, at 41 years old, remains active in the sport. Hall carries a 79-inch reach and has built a reputation as a dangerous kickboxer in his own right, though his striking output of 3.23 significant strikes per minute and 48 percent accuracy reflect a more measured approach than Costa's aggressive style.
Cormier, the former two-division UFC champion who retired with a 22-3 record, offered his assessment through media commentary rather than any official capacity. His endorsement carries weight given his standing as one of the sport's most respected analysts.
Why it matters
- Costa's first finish in over seven years signals a potential resurgence for a fighter who was once considered a title contender
- A second consecutive win would be his first back-to-back victories since 2019, which could push him up the middleweight rankings from his current thirteenth-place position
- Costa's high-volume striking style, when clicking, makes him a stylistically difficult opponent for anyone in the division
