Paulo Costa has intensified his rivalry with Russian fighters during UFC 327 fight week, expressing a strong desire for a grudge match against Khamzat Chimaev.
At UFC 327 on April 11th in Miami, Costa will make his light heavyweight debut against undefeated Russian contender Azamat Murzakanov. This co-main event bout is seen as a potential stepping stone to a title shot. The Brazilian, a former middleweight title challenger with a record of 15 wins and 4 losses, has gained muscle for his move to the 205-pound division. He has positioned Murzakanov, who boasts an undefeated record of 16 wins, as his next Russian opponent to defeat.
During a media day event, Costa initially described his affinity for fighting Russians, acknowledging their toughness. However, he quickly shifted to a more aggressive stance to generate excitement for the fight.
“I hate Russians. This is the second one in a row that I’m gonna put on my record, and the third one maybe Chimaev. I want him next after beating this fat guy.”
Costa’s animosity towards Russian fighters began months prior when he posted a message targeting “bald, chubby Russians,” a comment widely interpreted as a dig at Murzakanov’s appearance. He has continued this narrative in interviews and public appearances, blending humor with pointed remarks about Russian fighters. A recent social media post quoted Costa stating he “hates these f—king Russians” and vowed to call out Chimaev if he wins at UFC 327.
The animosity is largely directed at Chimaev. Their rivalry has been brewing since their initial scheduled fight at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi in October 2023, which Costa had to withdraw from due to elbow surgery. Chimaev remained on the card, extended his undefeated streak, and later secured the middleweight title by defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319. Costa has closely followed Chimaev’s progress, attending events and using interviews to link himself to the current champion.
Leading up to UFC 327, Costa has expressed his willingness to fight Chimaev in either the middleweight or light heavyweight division, depending on the outcome of his debut at 205 pounds. Earlier this year, he argued that a decisive victory over Murzakanov should position him for a fight against Chimaev, whether for a middleweight title or as a high-profile non-title bout. He views Murzakanov as the second step in a sequence of Russian opponents, with Chimaev being the ultimate target.
For now, Costa’s immediate focus is Murzakanov, a powerful wrestler with an undefeated record who aims to disrupt Costa’s light heavyweight debut. However, Costa has made it clear that his attention is divided, aiming to defeat Murzakanov and then use the post-fight interview to challenge Chimaev.
