Daniel Cormier gave high marks to Paulo Costa's performance in his victory over Azamat Murzakanov. The post notes that Costa's finish was his first stoppage win since defeating Uriah Hall in 2018. It also highlights that the last time Costa was on a win streak of two or more consecutive victories was in 2019. Cormier's positive assessment emphasizes how impressive Costa looked in the fight. The commentary suggests Costa delivered a particularly strong performance that stood out given his recent record.
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier offered a glowing assessment of Paulo Costa's performance following the Brazilian middleweight's victory over Azamat Murzakanov, calling the effort particularly impressive given the recent trajectory of Costa's career.
Costa, now 16-4-0 and ranked thirteenth in the middleweight division, delivered what Cormier described as a standout showing. The finish was significant for more than just the win itself — it marked Costa's first stoppage victory since he stopped Uriah Hall back in 2018, a drought that had stretched nearly eight years. Perhaps equally notable, it also ended a stretch without back-to-back wins; the last time the thirty-five-year-old Brazilian had strung together two or more consecutive victories was in 2019. Costa fights out of Team Borracha and brings elite striking volume to every performance, averaging 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at a 58-percent accuracy rate — numbers that rank among the best in the division.
Cormier, the forty-seven-year-old retired legend who carries a 22-3-0 professional record, has become one of the sport's most respected voices in the broadcast and commentary space. His endorsement carries weight, and his praise for Costa's showing underscored how much the performance resonated with those who know the sport deeply.
Why it matters
- Costa snapping a stoppage drought dating to 2018 signals a potential return to the finishing form that made him one of the division's most feared strikers
- Back-to-back wins for the first time since 2019 could push Costa up the middleweight rankings from his current thirteenth-place position
- A high-profile endorsement from Cormier raises Costa's profile heading into whatever opportunity comes next at 185 pounds
