Paulo Costa News
Jacare Souza confirms MMA retirement is still ongoing, but is interested in boxing matches with Paulo Costa and Vitor Belfort
Josh Evanoff - April 14, 2022
Jacare Souza has confirmed that his MMA retirement is still ongoing. However, a trip into the squared circle isn’t off the table. The 42-year-old retired from the sport in 2021 following a four-fight losing streak. A technical submission loss to Andre Muniz at UFC 262 saw the middleweight great announce that he was done inside the cage. However, earlier this year, he said that he was going to box instead.
Paulo Costa claims UFC legend Vitor Belfort is his biological father: "Now everyone knows."
Christopher Taylor - April 6, 2022
Paulo Costa took to social media this evening where he revealed that UFC legend Vitor Belfort is his biological father. Costa (13-2 MMA) has not competed since going to war with Marvin Vettori in October of 2021. Despite a strong showing, the Brazilian ultimately suffered a decision defeat to the ‘Italian Dream’ that evening.
Luke Rockhold accuses Paulo Costa of making excuses to avoid fight: "He's looking for a way out"
Josh Evanoff - April 6, 2022
Luke Rockhold has taken aim at Paulo Costa for allegedly turning down a July fight against him. The former UFC middleweight champion announced that he would be returning to the cage last year. He was scheduled to fight Sean Strickland last November, but that bout was scrapped after Rockhold had an injury. Since that cancelation, the former champ has been looking for a fight with Paulo Costa.
Derek Brunson shoots down challenge from Paulo Costa: “Focus on your own weight class, you’re a heavyweight”
Susan Cox - March 31, 2022
UFC middleweight fighter Derek Brunson has shot down the callout he received from former division title challenger Paulo Costa. After a match-up with Sean Strickland (24-3 MMA) fell through, Paulo Costa (13-2 MMA) took to Twitter to target a fight with Derek Brunson (23-8 MMA) as all three men are currently ranked in the top-5 of the UFC middleweight rankings.
Sean Strickland explains why he’s fighting Alex Pereira instead of Paulo Costa at UFC 277
Harry Kettle - March 31, 2022
UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has explained why he’s taking on Alex Pereira instead of Paulo Costa at UFC 277. A few days ago it was announced that Sean Strickland, one of the UFC’s top 185-pounders, will be taking on rising star Alex Pereira at UFC 277 in July. While the majority of fans were pleasantly surprised to see this match-up get made, others were taken aback by Pereira being thrust into such a prominent spot.
Paulo Costa and Sean Strickland trade insults over potential UFC fight: "This show of insecurity surprised even me"
Chris Taylor - March 19, 2022
UFC middleweight contenders Paulo Costa and Sean Strickland did not mince words while discussing a potential fight online. Costa (13-2 MMA), a former UFC middleweight title challenger, was called out by Strickland (25-3 MMA) back in November. The American offered to fight the Brazilian on the condition that he “put down the wine and cookies”.
Brendan Schaub rips Paulo Costa for his praise of Russian leader Vladimir Putin: “You don’t know what the f**k you’re talking about”
Harry Kettle - March 15, 2022
MMA analyst Brendan Schaub has ripped into Paulo Costa after the Brazilian praised Russian president Vladimir Putin. Over the course of the last few weeks we’ve seen a lot of MMA fighters weigh in on the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. While the majority have sympathy for the Ukrainians and what they’re going through, others fall into a different line of thinking.
Paulo Costa lauds Russian president Vladimir Putin, says he’s not a “weak leader like Biden or Macron”
Harry Kettle - March 11, 2022
UFC fighter Paulo Costa has praised Russian president Vladimir Putin in a since-deleted post on social media. Over the course of the last few weeks we’ve seen a lot of remarks made about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine – especially within the MMA sphere. There are a string of different views and opinions that have been brought to light and as the war continues, it seems apparent that things will only continue to intensify from here.
Luke Rockhold wants to return in June against Paulo Costa, as long as he makes weight: "I’m not here to fight f*****g cheaters"
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2022
Luke Rockhold is hoping to make his return in June against Paulo Costa. Rockhold has not fought since UFC 239 where he suffered a KO loss to Jan Blachowicz in his light heavyweight debut. Since then, he was booked to fight Sean Strickland at UFC 268, but was forced out of the bout due to an injury. Now, the former champion says he wants to face Costa next, as long as the Brazilian can make weight.
Marvin Vettori responds after Paulo Costa suggests he wants to end his life: “I know a bitch her name Felicia she hits harder than you”
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2022
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori has hit out at Paulo Costa as the Brazilian continues to push for a rematch. Back in October, Marvin Vettori and Paulo Costa clashed in what turned out to be an impromptu light heavyweight bout – as well as a Fight of the Year contender. The contest was initially supposed to take place at 185 pounds, only for a fight week alteration to be made as a result of Costa’s weight issues.
Paulo Costa says he's "not even interested in fighting" unless he rematches Marvin Vettori next: "I want to hurt him"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2022
Paulo Costa is only interested in fighting Marvin Vettori next. Costa and Vettori headlined a Fight Night card back in October that was full of drama. On fight week, Vettori revealed Costa was not going to make weight and it was reported the bout would be moved to a 195lbs catchweight. Yet, by the time the two ended up sharing the Octagon with one another, it was a light heavyweight scrap.
Joe Rogan believes loss to Israel Adesanya took a serious mental toll on Paulo Costa: “You look like a destroyer and then this skinny dude just lights you up”
Susan Cox - February 1, 2022
Joe Rogan during his recent podcast, ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ spoke about Paulo Costa’s second round TKO loss to Israel Adesanya and how the fight took a serious mental toll on Costa. Costa (13-2 MMA) and Adesanya (21-1 MMA) met at UFC 253 in September 2020 at the du Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The loss was Costa’s first in his professional MMA career.
TJ Dillashaw and Paulo Costa listed amongst the ten UFC fighters most-tested by USADA in 2021
Harry Kettle - January 4, 2022
TJ Dillashaw and Paulo Costa were amongst the ten most-tested UFC fighters of 2021 by USADA. Over the course of the last few years, we’ve seen USADA really ramp up their testing program when it comes to those on the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s roster. From heavyweight to strawweight and beyond, everyone is being tested – especially those who have ran into some problems in the past.
Sean Strickland not interested in fighting Darren Till, shares two ideal opponents for his next fight
Christopher Taylor - November 21, 2021
Sean Strickland is not interested in fighting Darren Till, but he’s provided two ideal opponents for his next UFC appearance. Strickland (24-3 MMA) was slated to compete against former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold earlier this month at UFC 268. Unfortunately, ‘Rocky’ was forced to pullout of the contest due to injury and Sean was removed from the card.
Jose Aldo criticizes Paulo Costa over recent weight miss: "It's a lack of respect"
Adam D Martin - November 11, 2021
Former UFC featherweight champion and current bantamweight contender Jose Aldo criticized Paulo Costa over his recent weight miss. Costa was supposed to fight Marvin Vettori last month in a middleweight bout that headlined UFC Vegas 41, but Costa showed up to fight week heavy. The fight was later turned into a light heavyweight contest, while Vettori won by decision. Although it was an awesome fight, the fact that Costa missed weight put a bit of a damper on his performance. Speaking to MMAFighting.com’s Guilherme Cruz in a recent interview, Aldo panned his fellow Brazilian for showing up to fight Vettori heavy and off weight.
Dana White doubles down on Paulo Costa moving up to light heavyweight: "He's a 205lbs fighter"
Adam D Martin - October 27, 2021
UFC president Dana White doubled down on Paulo Costa moving up to light heavyweight, saying that “he’s a 205lbs fighter now.” Costa showed up heavy to fight week last week and his planned middleweight bout against Marvin Vettori was moved up to light heavyweight after Costa couldn’t make the 185lbs middleweight limit. The fight turned out to be a war between two very tough and durable fighters, but ultimately, it was Vettori earning the decision. Either way, there was some thought that because Costa performed so well in the fight, and since it was his first time missing weight in the UFC, that White could cut him some slack and give him another chance to make the middleweight limit. Apparently not so.
Dan Hooker blasts Paulo Costa over giant weight miss: "That is just a massive 'F you' to the fans"
Adam D Martin - October 26, 2021
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker blasted middleweight Paulo Costa over his giant weight miss, saying “that is just a massive ‘F you’ to the fans.” Costa was set to fight Marvin Vettori in a middleweight bout that served as the main event of UFC Vegas 41, but Costa showed up heavy to fight week. Because he couldn’t make the 185lbs limit, the fight was then moved to a 195lbs catchweight, and then to the 205lbs light heavyweight limit. Costa was fined 30% of his purse and the fight went on at 205, with Vettori winning a unanimous decision in a back-and-forth fight.
Derek Brunson continues to troll Paulo Costa over his UFC Vegas 41 weight debacle
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2021
Derek Brunson is one of many UFC fighters who continues to tease Paulo Costa over his weight issues at UFC Vegas 41. In one of the most bizarre weight cut situations in the recent history of the UFC, Paulo Costa announced during a fight week interview that he wouldn’t be able to make it down to the middleweight limit. Instead, he wound up fighting Marvin Vettori at light heavyweight – 20 pounds higher.