Azamat Murzakanov has jokingly suggested what needs to be done to guarantee his upcoming fight with Paulo Costa actually takes place. Murzakanov implied that Costa should be locked inside the cage to ensure he shows up and the bout goes ahead as scheduled. The comment appears to reference Costa's history of fight cancellations or missed weight cuts. Details about the specific measure Murzakanov proposed were limited in the post. The lighthearted remark reflects concerns about whether Costa will make it to fight night.
Azamat Murzakanov took a lighthearted shot at his upcoming opponent Paulo Costa, joking that the only way to guarantee their fight actually happens is to lock Costa inside the cage ahead of time.
The remark, which surfaced on April 9, appears to be a wry nod to Costa's well-documented history of fight cancellations and missed weight cuts. While the comment was framed humorously, it reflects a genuine undercurrent of concern about whether the bout will make it to fight night intact.
Murzakanov, nicknamed "The Professional," carries a 16-1-0 record and is ranked 12th in the light heavyweight division. The 37-year-old Russian, who trains out of 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 a 57 percent accuracy rate, and also shows a modest takedown threat at 0.55 per 15 minutes.
Costa, known as "The Eraser," brings a 16-4-0 record and holds the 13th ranking in the middleweight division. The 35-year-old Brazilian is one of the more prolific strikers in his weight class, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, the orthodox fighter out of Team Borracha presents a formidable punching output for any opponent willing to stand in front of him.
Why it matters
- The fight crosses divisional lines, with Murzakanov competing at light heavyweight and Costa based at middleweight, adding an unusual dynamic to the matchup
- Costa's history of fight cancellations gives Murzakanov's joke a pointed edge beyond simple trash talk
- A win for either man would carry meaningful rankings implications heading into the second half of 2026
