Paulo Costa responds to Murzakanov's 'secret juice' comment before UFC 327

Paulo Costa has fired back at Azamat Murzakanov after the Russian light heavyweight made a cryptic remark about a "secret juice" ahead of their UFC 327 showdown on April 11.

Murzakanov sparked the exchange by telling fans they would soon discover what the secret is and what fighters from Russia possess. The comment was enough to draw a reaction from Costa in the days leading up to the bout, adding friction to what was already a compelling pre-fight buildup.

Costa, nicknamed "The Eraser," enters the fight carrying a 16-4 record and holds the number 13 ranking in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old Brazilian trains out of Team Borracha and is one of the more prolific strikers in the sport, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. He fights out of an orthodox stance and stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach.

Murzakanov, known as "The Professional," brings a 16-1 record and sits at number 12 in the light heavyweight rankings. The 37-year-old Russian, who trains with K Dojo Warrior Tribe, is a southpaw standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach. He lands 4.7 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy and adds a modest takedown threat at 0.55 per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Costa is a middleweight stepping up or across divisions to face a ranked light heavyweight, raising questions about divisional context heading into fight week.
• Murzakanov's "secret juice" comment carries obvious implications, and Costa's public response signals the mental game is already in motion.
• Both fighters rely primarily on striking, setting up a potentially explosive stand-up contest between two hard-hitting veterans.