Daniel Cormier gave high praise to Paulo Costa's performance in his victory over Azamat Murzakanov. The post notes that Costa's finish marked his first stoppage win since 2018 when he defeated Uriah Hall. It also highlights that the last time Costa was on a winning streak of two or more consecutive victories was back in 2019. The commentary emphasizes how impressive Costa's performance was given his recent struggles to secure finishes and win streaks.
Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier publicly lauded Paulo Costa following the Brazilian middleweight's stoppage victory over Azamat Murzakanov, calling the performance an impressive display from a fighter who had struggled to find his finishing touch in recent years.
Costa, 35, carries a 16-4 record and currently sits ranked thirteenth in the middleweight division. Fighting out of Team Borracha in an orthodox stance, the six-foot-one Brazilian brings a physically imposing frame and one of the division's most aggressive striking outputs, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. The finish against Murzakanov was notably significant — it marked Costa's first stoppage win since he defeated Uriah Hall back in 2018, ending a lengthy drought in the finishing department.
The victory also ended another unwanted streak. Costa had not strung together two or more consecutive wins since 2019, making this result a genuine momentum shift for a fighter whose career had stalled despite his reputation as one of the division's most dangerous strikers.
Cormier, the 47-year-old retired champion turned broadcaster who compiled a 22-3 record across his fighting career, did not hold back in his assessment, making clear he viewed the performance as a statement from Costa at a critical juncture of his career.
Why it matters
- Costa's first finish in nearly eight years signals a potential resurgence at middleweight
- Back-to-back wins for the first time since 2019 could push him up from his current thirteenth-place ranking
- At 35, Costa still possesses elite striking volume, and a return to finishing form makes him a dangerous opponent for any middleweight contender
