With one fight left on current UFC contract, Paulo Costa hopes to receive title shot

Paulo Costa vanquished the previously undefeated Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327. | Getty/UFC

There’s been a theme to Paulo Costa’s recent victories in the UFC.

After an impressive knockout over Azamat Murzakanov in the UFC 327 co-main event, his second victory over a Russian opponent in 10 months (he also defeated Roman Kopylov at UFC 318), Costa revealed to Ag.Fight’s Diego Ribas that he would love to face a third “Russian” next.

“Two Russians, two southpaws in a row, and I would be glad if UFC had a third one to offer me,” Costa said in a video interview. “[Khamzat] Chimaev. Actually he is a Gourmet Chechen, not Russian. But it doesn’t matter. The UFC knows how much I want to face him.”

When asked about his post-fight conversation with U.S. President Donalt Trump, Costa said it was a private talk about a “friend in common” — likely former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro or his son, Flavio Bolsonaro, who will be running in next national president election against current president Lulas da Silva. According with the last poll, Bolsonaro and da Silva are technically tied.

When a Plan Comes Together

Costa also talked about the importance of the game plan designed by his trainers.

“My trainers studied every step of Azamat. We trained so hard for the last three months. If you see the videos of our backstage warmup you will see that we were expecting everything he did. Our main goal was not to brawl but follow the tactics and hit him without getting hit,” Costa said.

The Brazilian standout revealed that he has one fight remaining on his current UFC contract and hopes to receive a title shot next. Whether that comes at 205 pounds, where he was victorious at UFC 327, or at middleweight, where he previously fought, is not important.

“Either one,” Costa said.