Daniel Cormier gave high praise to Paulo Costa following his victory over Azamat Murzakanov. The post notes that Costa's last finish came in 2018 against Uriah Hall, and the last time he was on a winning streak of two or more fights was in 2019. Cormier's positive assessment highlights Costa's strong performance after a period of inconsistent results. The commentary suggests Costa may be returning to the form that made him a top contender. Details about what specifically impressed Cormier are limited in the post.
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier has publicly praised Paulo Costa following Costa's recent victory over Azamat Murzakanov, suggesting the Brazilian middleweight may be rediscovering his best form after a stretch of uneven results.
Costa, now 35 years old and carrying a 16-4 record, competes at middleweight where he is currently ranked thirteenth in the division. The Brazilian stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach and has long been regarded as one of the more dangerous strikers in the weight class, landing an impressive 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 58 percent. The win over Murzakanov is notable in part because Costa's previous finish dated back to 2018, when he stopped Uriah Hall. His last winning streak of two or more fights also ended in 2019, making back-to-back victories a meaningful milestone for the fighter out of Team Borracha.
Cormier, the 47-year-old Hall of Fame veteran who finished his career at 22-3, offered the positive assessment through his media work. While the specific details of what impressed him were not elaborated upon, the commentary framed Costa's performance as a sign of a potential resurgence.
Why it matters
- A two-fight win streak would be Costa's first since 2019, signaling a possible return to contender status at 185 pounds.
- At ranked thirteenth, consecutive victories could push Costa back into title conversation territory in a competitive middleweight division.
- Costa's elite striking volume and accuracy make him a stylistically dangerous opponent for anyone in the top ten, adding weight to Cormier's praise.
