Paulo Costa earned a big win at UFC 327 in Miami on Saturday night and grabbed headlines for a surprising moment after the fight.
The finish in the Octagon
Costa stopped Azamat Murzakanov by TKO in the third round of the co-main event at UFC 327 in Miami on Saturday night. Costa had to dig deep after a rocky start, but his power and steady pressure wore Murzakanov down and forced the referee to stop the fight in round three. The bout marked Costa’s debut at light heavyweight.
Murzakanov entered the fight with an undefeated 16-0 record before the loss. The defeat ended his streak and handed Costa a clear finish against a highly regarded opponent.
Post-fight moment draws attention
After the fight, a brief exchange near the Octagon became a viral moment. Donald Trump, who was seated cageside, walked up to Costa and offered a short compliment that was caught on camera and widely shared on social media. The clip of the two talking spread quickly and became one of the most talked-about moments from the night.
The unusual meeting added extra attention to Costa’s victory and to an already entertaining fight night for the Brazilian fighter.
Costa calls out Khamzat Chimaev
Following the win, Costa spoke to the crowd and called out Khamzat Chimaev. He said he has “beef” with the current UFC Middleweight Champion and that he would be willing to fight Chimaev at either 185 pounds or 205 pounds. Costa’s public challenge keeps him in the contender conversation and signals he wants another shot at a title-level opponent.
The win at UFC 327 strengthens Costa’s case for future big fights as he pushes for another run at championship gold.
Quick results
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Paulo Costa | Won by TKO in Round 3 (co-main event at UFC 327 in Miami) |
| Azamat Murzakanov | Lost by TKO in Round 3 (had entered fight 16-0) |
Costa’s win and the post-fight interaction were among the biggest stories from UFC 327. He now hopes the victory leads to another high-profile matchup and a chance to fight for gold.
