Paulo Costa News

Harry Kettle - July 19, 2025

UFC commentator Michael Bisping believes that Paulo Costa is his own worst enemy heading into UFC 318. As we know, Paulo Costa is a pretty controversial figure within the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While he’s had some great moments over the years and has even fought for a world title, he’s also had a lot of losses recently. Many have wondered whether or not he’s reached his ceiling in the sport, but of course, the man himself is ready to try and prove the doubters wrong.

Harry Kettle - July 17, 2025

UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has explained why he considers his feud with Khamzat Chimaev to be pretty personal. This weekend, Paulo Costa will make his return to the Octagon when he battles Roman Kopylov at UFC 318. While it’s expected to be a tough fight for him, it’s one he should really be winning if he’s serious about climbing back into title contention. Plus, with Khamzat Chimaev potentially becoming champion next month, that’s even more of an incentive.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 15, 2025

One well-known fighter scheduled for the UFC 318 card still has beef with Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev has secured a UFC Middleweight Championship opportunity. He will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the 185-pound gold at UFC 319 on Aug. 16. It’ll be Chimaev’s first crack at UFC gold.

BJ Penn Staff - June 18, 2025

UFC 317 took a major blow this week, as main card matchup involving Paulo Costa was rescheduled for a later date. Brazil’s Costa, a former UFC middleweight title challenger, was set to meet Russia’s Roman Kopylov on the June 28 event’s main card. According to a report from Laerta Viana, however, the Brazilian has come down with an illness. That has forced the UFC to move his fight with Kopylov to UFC 318, which is slated for July 19.

Josh Evanoff - June 13, 2024

UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa is ready for a short-notice rematch with Robert Whittaker. Earlier today, news broke about the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. That card is set for next Saturday night and is an absolutely stacked event. Set for the headliner is a middleweight tilt between former champion Robert Whittaker, and Khamzat Chimaev. With a win, ‘Borz’ could’ve earned a potential title shot.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2024

Sean Strickland admits his UFC 302 bout with Paulo Costa was a “weird” one. Strickland and Costa shared the Octagon inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this past Saturday night. Strickland was able to keep Costa backpedaling throughout the fight thanks to his pressure and boxing. Costa had a difficult time fighting off his back foot, and ultimately lost a split decision, with judge Dave Tirelli’s score total in favor of “Borrachinha” being widely panned.

Harry Kettle - June 4, 2024

UFC star Israel Adesanya gave his thoughts on Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa in a reaction video on his YouTube channel. Last weekend at UFC 302, Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa faced off in the co-main event of the evening. After a tight affair, Strickland was the one who had his hand raised via split decision.

Cole Shelton - June 3, 2024

The UFC was in Newark, New Jersey for UFC 302 with the lightweight title on the line. In the main event, Islam Makhachev was looking to defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier who had said this was his final shot at winning the belt. The co-main event was a pivotal five-round middleweight scrap between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa.

Chris Taylor - June 1, 2024

Tonight’s UFC 302 event was co-headlined by a key middleweight bout between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa. Strickland (29-6 MMA) entered the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a split decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 to surrender the promotion‘s middleweight title in his previous effort. Prior to that setback, ‘Tarzan’ was on a three-fight winning streak which included a lopsided decision win over Israel Adesanya.

Chris Taylor - June 1, 2024

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 302 results, including the middleweight co-main event between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa. Strickland (28-6 MMA) will enter the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a split decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 to surrender the promotion‘s middleweight title. Prior to that setback, ‘Tarzan’ was on a three-fight winning streak which included a lopsided decision win over Israel Adesanya.

Harry Kettle - May 31, 2024

Fight fans have reacted to a photo that suggests Paulo Costa may be suffering with a staph infection heading into UFC 302. On Saturday night, Paulo Costa will make his return to the Octagon. We all know that Paulo is a pretty divisive figure, and while he may not be the most consistent fighter in the cage, he knows how to make noise outside of it.

Cole Shelton - May 30, 2024

Israel Adesanya has shared his prediction for the UFC 302 co-main event between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa. Adesanya has fought both Strickland and Costa so he is very familiar with both men. Izzy’s last fight was a loss to Strickland where he surrendered the middleweight title with the setback. Given that he is familiar with both of them, Adesanya has a good idea of how the fight will play out and the best path to victory for both men.

Cole Shelton - May 29, 2024

UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa had a historically bad first pitch at the New York Mets game before UFC 302. Costa is set to face Sean Strickland in a five-round co-main event fight in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday night. In the lead up to the fight, the Brazilian spent the day at the New York Mets game as he threw out the first pitch and it did not go well.

Cole Shelton - May 27, 2024

Sean Strickland expects his UFC 302 co-main event fight against Paulo Costa to be violent. Strickland is set for his first fight since losing his middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis in January. In his return, he will face Costa in a five-round fight at UFC 302 where the winner could get a title shot.

Curtis Calhoun - May 24, 2024

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland’s head coach thinks Paulo Costa presents one unique problem for them to consider at UFC 302. Strickland and Costa will square off in a five-round middleweight co-headliner at UFC 302 on June 1. The winner could potentially earn themselves a middleweight title shot, or at worst, a No. 1 contender fight.

Curtis Calhoun - May 15, 2024

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is furious amidst Paulo Costa’s alleged refusal to sign his contract for their UFC 302 co-main event bout. Strickland and Costa are scheduled for a five-round co-main event on June 1st in Newark, New Jersey. The winner of the UFC 302 co-headliner could potentially be next in line for a title shot.

Cole Shelton - May 7, 2024

Eric Nicksick, the head coach of Sean Strickland, expects his fighter to finish Paulo Costa at UFC 302. Strickland is set to fight Costa in the co-main event of the pay-per-view card on June 1 in Newark, New Jersey. It’s a highly-anticipated bout, and heading into the fight, Strickland is a sizeable -200 favorite and Nicksick agrees as he expects his fighter to return to the win column with a stoppage win.

Curtis Calhoun - April 26, 2024

Former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa is ramping up the mind games ahead of his fight with Sean Strickland. Costa and Strickland will square off in a five-round middleweight co-main event at UFC 302 on June 1st. The winner could potentially be next in line for a middleweight title shot.