UFC color commentator Daniel Cormier was highly impressed with Paulo Costa’s performance in his light heavyweight debut at UFC 327, where the Brazilian stopped Azamat Murzakanov in the third round of Saturday’s co-main event at Miami’s Kaseya Center.
Costa (16-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), a former middleweight title challenger, delivered a statement victory against the previously unbeaten Murzakanov (16-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), showcasing a disciplined and aggressive striking approach that drew praise from Cormier.
Speaking on his YouTube channel shortly after the event, Cormier described the outing as one of Costa’s best in recent memory.
“Paulo Costa beat Azamat Murzakanov. That was the best performance I think I've seen from Paulo Costa in a really, really long time,” Cormier said. “Costa did a great job of using his weapons to set up a chance to finish the fight.”
Cormier highlighted Costa’s strategic use of kicks early in the fight, noting how they played a critical role in breaking down his opponent.
“When he was walking to the octagon, we said, use body kicks from range to try to control Azamat,” Cormier explained. “He did that. He blasted body kick after body kick after body kick early, and low kick after low kick early in the fight to set Azamat up, and then ends up hitting him with the high kicks.”
The turning point came in the third round, when Costa dramatically increased his offensive output.
“(In) the third round, Paulo Costa came out as if he was shot out of a cannon,” Cormier said. “He started throwing high kicks after high kicks after high kicks. And ultimately, he hit Azamat with so many high kicks that eventually he went down.”
Cormier also emphasized the significance of the stoppage, particularly given Murzakanov’s toughness and previously unblemished record.
“Look…Azamat Murzakanov is a very, very tough guy,” he said. “For him to willingly go down after taking that head kick, where it didn't just put him down, it tells you how badly he must have been hurt, because he understands what having a 16-0 record means in your career.”
With the victory, Costa not only secured a successful debut at 205 pounds but also reestablished himself as a dangerous contender in a new division.
