Brazilian fans support Murzakanov over Costa ahead of their bout

Brazilian fans are overwhelmingly supporting Azamat Murzakanov in his upcoming fight against fellow Brazilian Paulo Costa, creating an unusual dynamic. Costa has faced significant criticism from his own countrymen due to controversial statements about Brazil's culture and political decisions. Brazilian fans are writing supportive messages to Murzakanov, promising to erect a monument if he knocks out Costa and declaring him a potential national hero alongside Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Neymar. Fans have also been mass-posting images of Murzakanov photoshopped into Brazilian national team uniforms. The level of domestic opposition to Costa represents a rare situation where a fighter's compatriots actively root against him in favor of a foreign opponent.