Paulo borrachinha tries to get back to winning ways in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Paulo borrachinha He had a different goal when he decided to move up to the light heavyweight division (up to 93kg). climbed to face Azamat Murzakanov in the co-main event of UFC 327, scheduled for next Saturday (11), the Brazilian faces a significant challenge right in his debut in the category. Even so, the initial plan of the Minas Gerais native was to measure forces with a former champion of the category.
In an interview with UFC News, Borrachinha revealed that his first choice was Jan Blachowicz, who was already committed to another opponent at the time of negotiations. Faced with this impossibility, the Brazilian sought a new option and ended up accepting the fight against Murzakanov, an opponent he admitted he didn't initially know, but whom he began to consider after analyzing the category's ranking.
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"He was the second option. The first choice was..." Jan Blachowicz"...who was already prepared to face another opponent. So, I spoke to Mick about fighting Jan, but he said he was already committed. Then I asked about the other name. Honestly, I didn't know him before, but I looked at the list, saw his name, and said I wanted to fight him," he said. Paulo borrachinha.
Brazilians support Murzakanov against Paulo Borrachinha at UFC 327
In recent days, Murzakanov, who had already been receiving messages of encouragement for the fight, intensified his interaction with fans and promised that if he reaches 100 followers by the day of the fight, he will enter the arena carrying a Brazilian flag.
The statement quickly drew attention and further increased the engagement of fans who are dissatisfied with Borrachinha for his remarks involving his own country.
I had no idea that Paulo Costa was so HATED by his own people in Brazil 😳
Azamat Murzakanov is currently receiving a WAVE of support from Brazilian MMA fans to leave Paulo Costa “dead” at UFC 327 Ce week-end pic.twitter.com/Eo5B8ZCtBI
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) April 6, 2026
'I don't need the Brazilian public,' says Paulo Borrachinha
P. Borrachinha in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC
The hatred from fans towards the fighter from Minas Gerais isn't something that came out of nowhere; Borrachinha recently made it clear that he doesn't need the attention of Brazilian fans. In an interview with 'Ag. Fight', the middleweight reinforced that he doesn't see the need to count on the support of the Brazilian fans to succeed in the UFC. In his opinion, the sport is global and an athlete's career doesn't depend exclusively on acceptance in their own country to generate results, sales, or relevance.
“But honestly, I don’t need the Brazilian audience. I don’t think anyone needs it in the UFC. What are you going to do there? Sell merchandise? Sell tickets? Sell pay-per-view? I don’t think it makes sense. Honestly, my family is Brazilian, my coaches are, but the sport is international,” he declared. Paulo borrachinha.
Paulo Borrachinha changes weight class and seeks to regain his form in the UFC.
After a sensational start in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), with five wins in five fights, Paulo borrachinha He was qualified to compete for the middleweight title (up to 83,9 kg) against Israel adesanyaHowever, in the confrontation, the Brazilian ended up being knocked out without managing to pose a threat to the then-champion. Since then, the fighter from Minas Gerais has returned to the octagon on five other occasions, achieving only two victories, against... Luke Rockhold e Roman Kopylov.
Determined to get back to his good form, Borrachinha is scheduled for the UFC 327, scheduled for April 11th, the Brazilian will face Azamat Murzakanov, one of the leading names in the light heavyweight division (up to 93 kg).
Read More about: Jan Blachowicz, Paulo borrachinha, UFC 327
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