Dustin Poirier has never won an undisputed title in his professional MMA career. He will get his third crack at the title at UFC 302 against the pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev. Poirier is a sizeable underdog for the fight, and not many factors favor him in springing an upset, except for the ‘Paulo Costa Curse.’
The biggest curse plaguing the sporting world is the ‘Drake Curse.’ Teams or athletes supported by Drake often lost. However, Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira broke the curse at UFC 287 and UFC 300. Unbeknownst to many, there is a bigger curse at play in the MMA scene. It is none other than the infamous ‘Paulo Costa Curse.’
Paulo Costa has been featured at 7 PPV events in the UFC to date. The upcoming UFC 302 will be his 8th PPV event as he will face former champion Sean Strickland in the co-main event. The trivial fun fact is that no champion has defended the title when Costa fought on the undercard. UFC 212, UFC 217, UFC 226, UFC 241, UFC 253, UFC 278, and UFC 298 are the PPV cards which featured Costa.
Worse than the Drake curse…
— Sanabul (@Sanabul) May 23, 2024
UFC 253 can be excluded as he fought in the main event against Israel Adesanya, losing via second-round TKO. However, a new light heavyweight champion emerged at UFC 253 as Jan Blachowicz won the vacant title in the co-main event. All the other six PPV events featuring Costa saw the title change hands. Moreover, at UFC 217, the title changed hands thrice.
Fight fans react to the infamous Paulo Costa Curse
When a curse is associated with a person’s name, it most likely does not apply to them. Such is the case of the Paulo Costa Curse. When Costa fought on a PPV, the MMA community heard “And New” from UFC announcer Bruce Buffer. The only time “And Still” was heard from Buffer was when Costa lost to Israel Adesanya.
Paulo Costa (Image via: IMAGO)With Costa fighting in the co-main event of UFC 302, fight fans are eager to know whether Dustin Poirier will win the title from Islam Makhachev. See what fight fans have to say about the curse below.
Pls bro we tired of these Russians it’s not fair
— Jaegar (@jagofett05) May 23, 2024
I know The costa curse hit the 3-peat on UFC 217 but if it works here it would be the most impressive one.
— Haris (@Haris_Webb) May 24, 2024
I was betting on Dustin regardless so let’s hope
— X-el ™🎶 (@OfficialXel) May 24, 2024
About to be 0-9
— mystic mac🏴🇯🇲 (@nbarkley696) May 23, 2024
Wait what??? Is this a real stat?
— TripleXo3 (@TripleX_o3) May 24, 2024
In 302’s case it’s a blessing not a curse
— Nick (@nickmehrer) May 24, 2024
I’m praying to God Paulo’s power makes it 0-9
— tonio (@ANTONIOEESPARZA) May 23, 2024
So you’re saying there’s a chance 💎
— Mitchell Klee (@MitchellKlee) May 23, 2024
Bet the house on Dustin
— Pollo🐤 (@el_pollo_lokko) May 23, 2024
Paulo “The Curse” Costa
— Coach Jacob | Dopamine Mastery (@TheCoachJacob) May 23, 2024
Nobody has broken the ‘Paulo Costa Curse’ except the namesake himself. All the times the curse has worked in the past, it was not between a big underdog and a sizeable favorite. However, that is not the case at UFC 302. If Poirier becomes the champion at UFC 302, there is a big chance champions would refuse to fight on PPVs where Costa is on the undercard.
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