Paulo Costa News
Israel Adesanya wants Mortal Kombat-style title fight with Paulo Costa at UFC Fight Island
Natasha Hooper - April 29, 2020
Israel Adesanya is ready to confront Paulo Costa, Mortal Kombat-style, on the UFC’s much discussed Fight Island. The UFC has had to put multiple fight cards on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. This has given Paulo Costa the time to heal from surgery and prepare for an anticipated middleweight title fight with Adesanya.
Paulo Costa says USADA and the New York State Athletic Commission are on his "blacklist"
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2020
Paulo Costa is not a fan of the New York State Athletic Commission and USADA and says he won’t be fighting in New York anytime soon. Back at UFC 212 and 217, Costa got in trouble by the commission and USADA as his doctor gave him an IV to help him after his weight cut. The doctor was suspended and fined, which Costa believes was the wrong decision.
Paulo Costa speaks on issues of brain damage in MMA, willing to donate brain for research
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa spoke about the effects of blows to the head in MMA and says he’s willing to donate his brain for research. Costa is one of the top middleweights in MMA and is known for pulverizing his opponents’ heads and being the one who dishes out the damage. But in a recent interview with AG Fight, Costa admitted he thinks about the effects of blows to the head on his brain, and it’s the reason why he plans on retiring from the sport by the time he’s 36.
Doctor who administered IVs to Paulo Costa handed 2-year suspension from USADA
Harry Kettle - March 24, 2020
Dr. Lucas Penchel has been handed a two-year suspension from USADA in relation to a violation involving UFC middleweight Paulo Costa and his brother Carlos. Back in April 2019, the Costa brothers had been issued six-month suspensions as a result of IVs that were administered to them by Penchel. While they were permitted substances, but the amount given was over the allowed limit.
VIDEO | Paulo Costa knocks out Logan Paul in sparring
Adam Martin - March 9, 2020
New training footage has emerged of UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa knocking out YouTube sensation Logan Paul in sparring. Costa is one of the best fighters in the UFC middleweight division while Paul is a YouTuber-turned combat sports star. Paul has had two boxing matches, including a professional bout against rival KSI last November, which resulted in Paul losing a controversial split decision after having points deducted due to illegal blows.
Paulo Costa trashes Israel Adesanya, says fight with Yoel Romero 'was sh*t'
Adam D Martin - March 8, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa says he was ashamed of the UFC 248 main event stinker between Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero. Adesanya defeated Romero via a close unanimous decision in what was one of the dullest UFC title fights perhaps of all time. Neither men seemed to fight with any sort of urgency and the fight featured a shocking lack of aggressiveness by two of the most dangerous middleweights on the roster. It was a bizarre fight, and Costa was not a fan of what he saw from his potential next foe.
Israel Adesanya wants to get to Paulo Costa 'before USADA does'
Tom Taylor - March 5, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes top contender Paulo Costa will inevitably get busted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, and wants to get to the Brazilian before that happens. Costa, who is a perfect 13-0 as a pro, cemented himself as the middleweight division’s top contender last August when he defeated Yoel Romero with a close decision win. Unfortunately, he then sustained a bicep injury which kept him on the sidelines, while Romero was granted the next shot at Adesanya.
Paulo Costa reacts to Israel Adesanya apology, still plans to 'erase' him
Natasha Hooper - February 25, 2020
Paulo Costa has responded to Israel Adesanya’s apology for his Twin Towers comment, and the Brazilian middleweight is still enraged. At a recent UFC 245 press conference, “The Last Stylebender” made a comment claiming he will crumble Yoel Romero like the Twin Towers in their main event UFC 248 fight in March.
Dana White scolds Paulo Costa: 'Pump the brakes'
Tom Taylor - January 21, 2020
When Paulo Costa defeated Yoel Romero in August of 2019, the expectation was that he’d get the next crack at UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Unfortunately for Costa, an injury derailed this plan, and Romero was granted the next title shot while Costa recovers. While the title fight between Adesanya and Romero is already official for UFC 248 on March 7, Costa has seemingly been on the mend faster than expected, and is even back to training.
Paulo Costa says Israel Adesanya is easier fight than Uriah Hall
Adam D Martin - January 12, 2020
Top contender Paulo Costa says that believes UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is an easier fight for him than Uriah Hall was. Costa knocked out Hall at UFC 226 in July 2018 in one of the best performances of his career. After defeating Yoel Romero in a 2019 “Fight of the Year” candidate at UFC 241, Costa was set to fight Adesanya for the middleweight belt. But due to injuries, Costa will not be able to fight Adesanya next, and Romero seems poised to get the next title shot instead.
USADA refutes report that Paulo Costa is the most drug tested fighter in UFC
Chris Taylor - January 2, 2020
According to a recent report from Yahoo Esportes, top ranked UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa was the most drug tested fighter by USADA in the 2019 calendar year. The Brazilian knockout artist, Costa, was very happy with this news and even took to Instagram to celebrate the moral victory with the following announcement.
Paulo Costa hopes Israel Adesanya waits for him as he says champ will 'not survive' Yoel Romero
Cole Shelton - January 2, 2020
Paulo Costa was expected to be next in line for middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. However, an injured bicep took him out of those conversations. But, the Brazilian hopes the champ waits for him to return instead of fighting Yoel Romero. Romero and Adesanya have been going back-and-forth on social media. And, UFC president, Dana White even said he was looking at making the fight. Yet, Costa believes if that happens, “The Last Stylebender” will not be able to survive the Cuban’s power.
Paulo Costa was the most-tested UFC fighter by USADA in 2019
Adam Martin - December 30, 2019
According to a new report, top-ranked UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa was the most-tested athlete on the UFC roster by USADA in 2019. Yahoo! Esportes recently reported that with 14 blood and urine tests, Costa was tested more than any other male fighter on the entire UFC roster by USADA. Women’s strawweight contender Claudia Gadelha tied Costa with 14 USADA tests as the most-tested female fighter on the UFC roster. That means both Costa and Gadelha were tested more than once a month over the last year — and they both passed all of their tests.
Israel Adesanya suggests a fight with Paulo Costa would be similar to McGregor-Aldo
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2019
Israel Adesanya says a potential bout with Paulo Costa would be similar to Conor McGregor’s fight against Jose Aldo. Of course, in that fight, the Irishman knocked out Aldo in just 13 seconds with the first punch he threw. He also trash-talked the Brazilian leading up to the fight and many believe McGregor was in Aldo’s head.
Paulo Costa calls Israel Adesanya a "p***y African"
Adam Martin - November 19, 2019
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa blasted UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya on social media, calling the champ a “p***y African.” Costa is the No. 1 contender in the UFC middleweight division and earned a title shot following his unanimous decision win over Yoel Romero at UFC 241. Unfortunately for Costa, he injured his biceps and had to have surgery on his arm, which is expected to keep him out of commission until mid-2020.
Israel Adesanya names ‘the second most dangerous guy’ at middleweight
Harry Kettle - November 19, 2019
UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has spoken out about who he believes to be the biggest threat within his division. Adesanya finally completed his ascent to the top at middleweight back at UFC 243, as he defeated Robert Whittaker to claim the title. Ever since then we’ve heard a million and one different stories regarding what could be next for “The Last Stylebender”, with Yoel Romero emerging as the primary contender after Paulo Costa was put on the shelf through injury.
Yoel Romero responds to Paulo Costa, questions bicep injury
Tom Taylor - October 31, 2019
When it was announced that Paulo Costa will not be able to fight Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title due to a bicep injury, Yoel Romero quickly inserted himself into the conversation, calling for his own fight with Adesanya. This did not sit well with Costa, who defeated Romero with a razor close decision in August. Shortly after Romero targeted Adesanya on Instagram, he got a response from Costa.
Paulo Costa blasts Yoel Romero for calling out Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - October 30, 2019
Shortly after it came to light that an injury had forced Paulo Costa out of his planned title fight with UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya, Yoel Romero inserted himself into the conversation and called out the champ for a fight. He and Adesanya have since gone back and forth on social media, seemingly agreeing to a fight.