Andrey Pulyaev believes Azamat Murzakanov's cardio preparation was the key reason for his birthday loss to Paulo Costa at UFC 327. Pulyaev noted that he also isn't a cardio machine, so he empathizes with Murzakanov. He expressed disappointment about the loss happening on Murzakanov's birthday. Pulyaev also questioned how Costa recovered so well between rounds two and three, noting that Costa appeared very tired but came out fresh for the third round. Despite this observation, Pulyaev suggested Costa would have finished Murzakanov regardless.
Russian light heavyweight Andrey Pulyaev has pointed to cardio as the decisive factor behind teammate and compatriot Azamat Murzakanov's defeat to Paulo Costa at UFC 327 on April 11.
Pulyaev, a 28-year-old southpaw out of Storm Shlemenko Fight Team who carries a 10-5 professional record, suggested that Murzakanov's conditioning let him down on the night. The six-foot-four, 193-centimeter fighter acknowledged that endurance is not his own strongest suit either, saying he empathizes with Murzakanov's situation. He also noted the bitter timing of the defeat, which fell on Murzakanov's birthday.
Murzakanov, nicknamed The Professional, entered UFC 327 ranked 12th in the light heavyweight division with a 16-1 record. The 37-year-old Russian trains out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe and brings a 57 percent striking accuracy alongside 4.7 significant strikes landed per minute. Despite his credentials, Pulyaev believes the conditioning gap proved too large to overcome against a fighter of Costa's caliber.
Pulyaev also raised a pointed question about Costa's recovery between rounds two and three. He observed that Costa appeared visibly exhausted at the end of the second round yet came out looking fresh for the third. Even accounting for that apparent anomaly, however, Pulyaev conceded that Costa would have finished Murzakanov regardless.
Costa, a 35-year-old Brazilian ranked 13th at middleweight, holds a 16-4 record and averages a remarkable 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — numbers that underline why Pulyaev views the outcome as close to inevitable.
Why it matters
- Murzakanov's loss is a significant setback for his push up the light heavyweight rankings from the 12th position
- Pulyaev's public commentary on Costa's between-rounds recovery adds an intriguing footnote to a middleweight-versus-light-heavyweight crossover contest
- The cardio critique raises questions about Murzakanov's preparation as he looks to regroup at 37 years old
Saturday, April 11, 2026
