Paulo Costa Targets Khamzat Chimaev After Azamat Murzakanov Bout at UFC 327

Paulo Costa is using fight week for UFC 327 to escalate a rivalry with Russian fighters and strongly advocate for a grudge match against Khamzat Chimaev.

In Miami, Costa is set to face the undefeated Russian contender Azamat Murzakanov in his debut at light heavyweight at UFC 327 on April 11. This co-main event fight could potentially propel him directly into title contention. Costa, a former middleweight title challenger with a 15–4 record, has gained weight for his move to the 205-pound division. He has positioned Murzakanov, who boasts a 16–0 record, as the second consecutive Russian opponent he intends to defeat.

During a media day event, Costa stated that he "likes to fight Russians" and acknowledged their toughness, but then shifted to a more aggressive narrative to generate interest in 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.”

Paulo Costa's Antagonism Towards Russian Fighters

The animosity began months in advance when Paulo Costa shared a photograph with a message targeting "bald, chubby Russians," a remark widely interpreted as a reference to Murzakanov's physique. He has continued this theme in interviews and public appearances, blending humor with pointed comments about Russian fighters in general. A recent social media post captured this sentiment, quoting Costa as saying he "hates these f—king Russians" and promising to call out Chimaev if he wins at UFC 327.

Chimaev remains the primary objective behind much of this verbal sparring. The rivalry between them has been brewing since their originally scheduled fight at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi in October 2023, which was canceled when Costa underwent surgery for an infected elbow. Chimaev remained on the card, extended his undefeated streak, and subsequently won the middleweight title by defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319. Costa has closely followed Chimaev's progression, attending events and using interviews to maintain his connection to the reigning champion.

UFC 327 Prospects

Leading up to UFC 327, Costa has expressed his readiness to fight Chimaev in either the middleweight or light heavyweight division, asserting his ability to move between weight classes depending on the outcome of his debut at 205 pounds. Earlier this year, he argued that a decisive victory over Murzakanov should place him "in line" for a fight with Chimaev, whether for a middleweight title shot or a significant non-title bout. He views Murzakanov as a stepping stone in a sequence of Russian opponents, with Chimaev being the ultimate target.

For now, Costa's immediate focus is on Murzakanov, a compact and powerful wrestler who is on an undefeated run and aims to disrupt Costa's light heavyweight debut. However, Costa has made it clear that his attention is divided, planning to defeat Murzakanov and then leverage his victory to demand a fight with Chimaev.