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 since 2018 against Uriah Hall. It also highlights that the last time Costa was on a winning streak of two or more fights was back in 2019. The commentary emphasizes that Costa delivered an impressive showing in the bout.
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier offered strong praise for Paulo Costa following Costa's victory over Azamat Murzakanov, lauding the Brazilian middleweight for an impressive all-around performance in the bout.
Costa, 35, improved to 16-4 with the win, a result that carries notable significance beyond the record books. According to Cormier's commentary, the finish marked the first time Costa had stopped an opponent since his 2018 victory over Uriah Hall — a span of roughly seven years between stoppages. Perhaps equally striking, it was the first time since 2019 that the ranked middleweight had strung together a winning streak of two or more fights. Costa, who sits at number 13 in the middleweight division, brings elite striking volume to every performance, landing an eye-catching 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. The orthodox fighter out of Team Borracha stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach.
Hall, who factored into the conversation as Costa's last finishing victim, holds an 18-11 professional record at 41 years old. The Jamaican veteran operates out of an orthodox stance and carries a notably long 79-inch reach, representing a very different physical challenge than Murzakanov.
Cormier, the 47-year-old Hall of Fame-caliber commentator and analyst with a professional record of 22-3, has established himself as one of the sport's most respected voices since retiring from competition. His endorsement of Costa's showing carries weight among fans and fighters alike.
Why it matters
- Costa snapping a lengthy finishing drought signals a potential return to the form that made him a middleweight contender
- Back-to-back wins for the first time since 2019 repositions him as a more credible threat in the 185-pound division
- At ranked number 13, another strong performance could push Costa back into title contention conversations
