Four years have passed since Brazilian Paulo Costa fought for the undisputed middleweight gold. Falling short against Israel Adesanya’s second-round knockout at UFC 253, the #7 middleweight is a few steps back. Sean Strickland pulled an upset on Adesanya in the land down under. Then, Dricus Du Plessis snagged the gold up from him. Now, ‘Borrachinha’ can get back into the fold if he defeats Strickland at UFC 302.
He will remain a clear contender for the hardware if he beats top dog Sean Strickland in the co-main event this Saturday in Newark, NJ. After his maiden loss in January, ‘Tarzan’ yet sits at the top spot in the food chain. However, there are several challenges ahead in the clash. If he impresses against the former champ, the 33-year-old Costa sees a clear path ahead.
I think [because] Strickland already beat [Israel] Adesanya, …if Adesanya beats Dricus [du Plessis], if Sean beats me, he’s going to be next…But let’s see, we never know. I have a beef with Adesanya as well and against Chimaev, everything can happen… it depends how the fight’s going to be. If I knock him out [with] great style Saturday, and the fight in [Saudi Arabia]is not so good, we can be in front of them. It depends how I’m going to perform…who delivers better is going to step in front…
Paulo Costa during UFC 302 Pre-fight Media Day interview
The Team Pitbull Brothers middleweight thinks it entirely depends on who performs better. Despite an entertaining high-paced striking battle, Costa is behind Robert Whittaker in the title pecking order. This is due to what happened at the UFC 298 co-main event at Honda Center in Anaheim. Whittaker will fight Khamzat Chimaev next at UFC on ABC 6, but Costa thinks he will supplant them both in a title shot opportunity with a win.
Costa hasn’t scored a KO victory since 2018. He, however, outlasted Luke Rockhold in a “Fight of the Night” performance at UFC 278. Much like Whittaker, that high-pacing scrap resulted in a winner. With more athleticism and better striking, he remains ahead in some avenues against the boxer Sean Strickland. Come a few hours more; he has 25 minutes to showcase that the gold is meant for him.
Paulo Costa chalks down his ‘evolution’ from UFC 298
Costa (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) meets former UFC middleweight titleholder Sean Strickland very soon at UFC 302. Both top-tier fighters have made their mark in the 185-pound class with somewhat similar striking proficiency. Strickland is a boxing-heavy fighter with astounding defense. Despite a profound standup game, he also has proficient takedowns and wrestles himself out of anything.
Paulo Costa has interesting turnabouts in mind at UFC 302 (Source: IMAGO)The Brazilian striker is a short-burst wonder who can take down an opponent in any number of ways. While not very reactional, Paulo Costa has a good recovery and connects well. He earned 12 of his 14 career victories by stoppage. 11 of which were highlight KOs. However, he gaffes out beyond the three-frame limit. His UFC 298 scrap went similarly. The fighter says he has learned from those mistakes.
My version against Whittaker was pretty good, …[but] I think we just make some adjustments. Of course, every fight you can upgrade, you can evolve every fight, and we are very hard workers. So all the coaches, everyone, they work so hard to improve me, to advance my level…Each camp, I’m better than before. I’m still in my prime. Only 33 years old…
Paulo Costa during UFC 302 Pre-fight Media Day interview
He is 2-1 in his last three-round affairs and a five-round scrap with Marvin Vettori going to a decision. However, under pointer from coach Eric Albarracin, he says a five-round match would help him. Working against an anti-wrestler in Strickland, who strongly prefers working on his feet, Costa feels he can tire out the opponent if the match goes to a fifth round. Consequently, he also promises a better-kindled performance than even UFC 298.
