Paulo Costa reacts to Azamat Murzakanov's comments about 'secret juice'

Paulo Costa has fired back at Azamat Murzakanov after the Russian light heavyweight made a series of cryptic remarks about a "secret juice" ahead of their scheduled matchup.

Murzakanov told an outlet that "very soon we will show what the secret is" and that people will learn "what people from Russia have." The vague comments appear to have landed with Costa, who took notice publicly, adding an early layer of psychological tension to the fight.

Costa, 35, competes at middleweight and holds a record of 16 wins and 4 losses. Ranked 13th in the division, the Brazilian out of Team Borracha is one of the sport's most aggressive strikers, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, the orthodox brawler nicknamed "The Eraser" has built his reputation almost entirely on his ability to absorb and deliver punishment in close exchanges.

Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," enters the bout at 37 years old with a record of 16-1-0. The Russian southpaw is ranked 12th at light heavyweight and trains out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe. At five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, he is the shorter man, but he mixes his striking — 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy — with a modest takedown threat at 0.55 per 15 minutes. His lone professional loss remains the only blemish on an otherwise clean sheet.

Why it matters

• The two fighters are meeting across a divisional line, with Costa moving up or Murzakanov moving down creating a natural physical contrast
• Murzakanov's cryptic remarks have given the buildup an edge before formal promotion has fully begun
• Costa's striking output significantly outpaces Murzakanov's, making the stand-up dynamic a key stylistic question