Daniel Cormier has given high marks to Paulo Costa's performance in his fight against Azamat Murzakanov. The post notes that Costa's last finish came back in 2018 against Uriah Hall. It also points out that the last time Costa was on a winning streak of two or more consecutive victories was in 2019. Costa's stoppage victory over Murzakanov represents a significant return to form after years without finishing opponents.
Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier offered strong praise for Paulo Costa following Costa's stoppage victory over Azamat Murzakanov, calling it an impressive performance from the Brazilian middleweight.
Costa, known as "The Eraser," carries a 16-4 record and sits ranked thirteenth in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old from Brazil trains out of Team Borracha and has long been regarded as one of the sport's most explosive strikers, averaging an eye-catching 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at a 58 percent striking accuracy rate. What made the Murzakanov finish particularly noteworthy is that it marked Costa's first stoppage victory since he finished Uriah Hall back in 2018 — a drought of nearly eight years without ending a fight early. It also snapped a longer skid in terms of momentum: the last time Costa strung together two or more consecutive wins was in 2019, making back-to-back victories a genuine milestone for his career at this stage.
Hall, the man Costa finished in that 2018 bout, is a 41-year-old Jamaican striker who carries an 18-11 professional record. His career has been defined by highlight-reel knockouts, though Costa's finish of him stands as one of the more memorable stoppages of that era.
Cormier, the 47-year-old Hall of Fame competitor turned analyst who compiled a 22-3 record across his fighting career, has established himself as a respected voice in fight commentary. His endorsement of Costa's performance carries weight given his experience at the sport's highest level.
Why it matters
- Costa's first finish since 2018 signals a potential return to the form that once made him a title contender
- Back-to-back wins represent his best consecutive winning streak since 2019, shifting his divisional trajectory
- At ranked thirteenth in the middleweight division, a continuation of this form could push Costa back toward the top ten
