Paulo Costa News
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.
Paulo Costa sets his sights on Derek Brunson: “Now it’s time to runway or accept”
Harry Kettle - March 31, 2022
UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has called out divisional rival Derek Brunson as he goes in search of a return to the Octagon. In the last few years there are few fighters who have been as happy to play the pantomime villain role as Paulo Costa. The Brazilian, who surged up through the rankings upon entering the UFC, was unsuccessful in his attempt to capture the UFC middleweight title when he was beaten by Israel Adesanya at UFC 253.
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.
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.
Daniel Cormier questions Luke Rockhold wanting Paulo Costa matchup: "I don't quite understand why he wants that fight"
Josh Evanoff - February 24, 2022
Daniel Cormier has questioned his teammate Luke Rockhold’s decision to call out Paulo Costa. The former UFC middleweight champion has been out of the Octagon since July 2019, where he lost to Jan Blachowicz. He was set to make a return last November against Sean Strickland but was forced out due to injury. Now, Rockhold seemingly has an opponent in mind for a return.
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.
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.
Paulo Costa can beat anyone at middleweight 'if he trains correctly,' says his manager
Cole Shelton - January 4, 2022
Paulo Costa will remain at middleweight, his manager Wallid Ismail revealed. Costa headlined a UFC Fight Night card back in October against fellow middleweight contender Marvin Vettori. The contest was originally slated for 185lbs, but on the week of the fight it was revealed ‘The Eraser’ could not make weight and the fight was then moved to 195lbs.
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.
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.
Paulo Costa says he is going back to middleweight following UFC Vegas 41 weight miss debacle
Adam D Martin - October 26, 2021
UFC contender Paulo Costa says he is going back to middleweight following this past weekend’s UFC Vegas 41 weight miss debacle. Costa was supposed to fight Marvin Vettori in the middleweight main event of this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 41 card, but the fight was shifted to light heavyweight after Costa showed up heavy to fight week and did not make weight. Following the event, UFC president Dana White confirmed that he and the matchmakers would tell Costa that his next fight in the promotion must be at 205lbs rather than at 185lbs. But if you ask Costa, he believes that his next fight is actually going to be at middleweight.
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.
Israel Adesanya reacts after Marvin Vettori defeats Paulo Costa at UFC Vegas 41
Christopher Taylor - October 25, 2021
Israel Adesanya clearly tuned in to watch his former opponents Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori square off at last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 41 event. The former middleweight title challengers, Costa and Vettori, were originally supposed to collide at their natural fighting weight of 185lbs. However, earlier in the fight week ‘The Eraser’ revealed he would not be able to make weight for the contest and thus the bout was moved to light heavyweight.
What's next for Marvin Vettori and Paulo Costa after UFC Vegas 41?
Cole Shelton - October 25, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 41, top-five middleweights collided at light heavyweight as Mavrin Vettori took on Paulo Costa. Vettori entered the fight coming off a decision loss to Israel Adesanya back in June for the middleweight title. Prior to that, he was on a five-fight winning streak with wins over Kevin Holland and Jack Hermansson among others. Costa, meanwhile, was making his return after he suffered a TKO loss to Adesanya for the belt in September of 2020.