Andrey Pulyaev believes Azamat Murzakanov's recent defeat was due to poor cardio conditioning. Pulyaev expressed disappointment that Murzakanov lost on his birthday and acknowledged his own cardio limitations. He also raised questions about how Paulo Costa recovered so well between the second and third rounds. Pulyaev noted that Costa appeared very tired but came out fresh for the third round. The comments suggest some surprise at Costa's recovery capabilities during the fight.
Russian fighter Andrey Pulyaev has spoken publicly about the recent defeat of his compatriot Azamat Murzakanov, pointing to poor cardio conditioning as the primary reason for the loss and also raising eyebrows over Paulo Costa's ability to recover between rounds.
Pulyaev, who carries a 10-5 record and competes out of Storm Shlemenko Fight Team, made the comments in what appears to be a candid reflection on Murzakanov's performance. The 28-year-old southpaw, standing six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach, admitted his own cardio limitations as part of the discussion, adding a personal dimension to his criticism. Pulyaev also expressed disappointment that the defeat fell on Murzakanov's birthday.
Murzakanov, known as "The Professional," holds a 16-1 record and sits ranked 12th in the light heavyweight division at 37 years old. The Russian southpaw fights out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe and lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy, making him a consistent offensive force. Pulyaev's suggestion that cardio let Murzakanov down raises questions about preparation heading into the bout.
The more striking element of Pulyaev's comments centered on Costa. The Brazilian middleweight, nicknamed "The Eraser," carries a 16-4 record and sits 13th in the division at 35 years old. Costa is one of the sport's most prolific strikers, averaging 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. Pulyaev noted that Costa appeared noticeably fatigued heading into the third round but returned looking remarkably fresh, a turnaround that caught Pulyaev's attention and prompted his public remarks.
Why it matters
- Murzakanov's loss damages his position as the 12th-ranked light heavyweight, potentially affecting future matchmaking
- Questions around Costa's between-rounds recovery add an intriguing subplot to his middleweight campaign
- Pulyaev's self-acknowledged cardio concerns may factor into how his own team approaches future training camps
