Brazilian fans support Murzakanov over Costa ahead of upcoming fight

In an unusual turn of events, Brazilian MMA fans are overwhelmingly supporting Azamat Murzakanov over their own countryman Paulo Costa ahead of their scheduled bout. Brazilian fans have been flooding Murzakanov's social media with messages of support, promising to erect a statue in his honor if he knocks out Costa and comparing him to Brazilian sports legends like Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Neymar. The strong anti-Costa sentiment among Brazilian fans stems from controversial statements Costa has made about his home country, its culture, and political decisions. Fans have even been posting photoshopped images of Murzakanov wearing the Brazilian national team jersey. The level of animosity from Costa's own countrymen represents a remarkable dynamic heading into the fight.