Daniel Cormier gave high marks to Paulo Costa's performance in his victory over Azamat Murzakanov. The post notes that Costa's last finish came in 2018 against Uriah Hall, and the last time Costa was on a winning streak of two or more fights was in 2019. This victory represents a significant achievement for Costa given his recent career trajectory. The commentary highlights Costa's strong showing in the fight.
Former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier offered strong praise for Paulo Costa following Costa's recent victory over Azamat Murzakanov, calling it an impressive performance from the Brazilian middleweight contender.
Costa, 35, enters the win column for the second consecutive time, a streak he had not put together since 2019. The result also marks his first finish since he stopped Uriah Hall back in 2018 — a span of more than seven years without a stoppage victory. Ranked thirteenth in the middleweight division with a professional record of 16-4-0, Costa has long been considered one of the hardest hitters in the 185-pound weight class. Fighting out of Team Borracha and standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, the orthodox striker averages an eye-catching 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, numbers that reflect his aggressive, pressure-heavy style.
Cormier, the 47-year-old retired former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion who now works as a prominent broadcaster and analyst, lent his credibility to the assessment. With a career record of 22-3-0, Cormier's opinions on fighter performance carry considerable weight in MMA circles.
Why it matters
- Costa snapping his finish drought and stringing together back-to-back wins signals a potential resurgence in the middleweight division.
- A two-fight winning streak is his first since 2019, making this a meaningful momentum shift given his recent career trajectory.
- Positive attention from high-profile voices like Cormier could elevate Costa's profile and push him toward more prominent matchups at 185 pounds.
- At 35 and ranked thirteenth, Costa still has room to climb if he can sustain consistent performances.
