Paulo Costa Ends Murzakanov’s Undefeated Run With R3 TKO

UFC light heavyweight and undefeated rising contender Azamat Murzakanov took on former title challenger Paulo Costa in a matchup that blends momentum with proven pedigree at UFC 327 on Saturday night.

Murzakanov (16-0) entered undefeated and on the verge of breaking into the elite tier, and facing the biggest name of his career in Costa. Murzakanov doesn’t overcomplicate things he pressures, throws with intent, and looks to make opponents uncomfortable from the opening bell.

Costa (15-4) moved up to the light heavyweight division following a 7-4 run at middleweight, highlighted by a title challenge against then-champion Israel Adesanya in 2020. Now 34 and coming off a win, Costa looked to make a statement in his new division by ending Murzakanov’s undefeated streak.

Round 1 – Murzakanov’s left hand was clearly his power shot, but early on it was his jab that he looked to establish. Costa disrupted that plan, using leg kicks to keep him off balance and prevent him from settling into a rhythm.

Murzakanov eventually found the jab, but Costa continued to target the lead leg with inside kicks before mixing in well-placed body kicks. The shots landed clean, though they did little to slow Murzakanov’s forward pressure.

Costa stayed committed to attacking the body, while Murzakanov absorbed the shots in search of an opening for his left hand. A brief pause came after an eye poke, but once the action resumed, Murzakanov pressed forward aggressively.

He backed Costa to the fence and unleashed a flurry of heavy shots, but Costa answered with a clean strike that rocked him. Costa then returned to working the legs and body.

A well-timed shot from Costa knocked Murzakanov off balance and sent him to the canvas. Costa followed him down, taking top position and landing elbows.

Murzakanov managed to get back to his feet, but Costa continued to fire heavy shots to both the head and body.

The round closed with both men trading in the center of the cage.

Round 2 – Murzakanov went back to his high-pace heavy-shot style, but he still had a tough time reaching the Brazilian. The Russian would rush in with an attack, but he just couldn’t seem to cut Costa off the way he wanted to.

Costa would attack the body, and Murzakanov would just rush in. Rinse and repeat, over and over again.

Costa began to slow down unable to get out of the way of the way of Murzakanov’s attacks that he avoided easily in the first round. Costa would then land to the body, and Murzakanov would go at him again.

The round ended with the two on the fence.

Round 3 – The fight continued on the same way it had the first two rounds, but Murzakanov slowed down quite a bit. Costa hurt him with a shot, Murzakanov fell, and that was it.

Paulo Costa ended the undefeated run of the Russian.

Official Result: Paulo Costa def. Azamat Murzakanov via R3 TKO, 1:23

The post Paulo Costa Ends Murzakanov’s Undefeated Run With R3 TKO appeared first on Cageside Press.