Paulo Costa News
Dana White provides update on his relationship with Paulo Costa: “He said some nutty sh*t and I straightened it out”
Adam D Martin - June 13, 2021
UFC president Dana White provided an update on his relationship with Paulo Costa, saying “he said some nutty sh*t and I straightened it out.” Costa recently blasted the UFC over fighter pay, suggesting that he never signed a contract to fight Jared Cannonier this summer because he wanted to get paid more for the fight. Costa compared UFC fighters to YouTubers-turned-boxers such as Jake Paul, who are making huge money these days. In response to those comments from Costa, White quipped that Costa should have started a YouTube channel when he was a teenager.
Dana White blasts Paulo Costa: "You’re in no position to be talking about crazy money after your last performance"
Cole Shelton - June 7, 2021
Dana White isn’t a fan of Paulo Costa demanding more money. After it was revealed Costa was out of his main event fight against Jared Cannonier on August 21, he took to social media to say the UFC needs to pay him as a main event fighter. He also says he never signed the contract which White says is not true as the UFC president blasted the Brazilian.
Paulo Costa explains why he is not fighting Jared Cannonier, blasts the UFC over fighter pay
Chris Taylor - June 5, 2021
Paulo Costa has issued a statement after it was announced that he will no longer be headlining a UFC event on August 21 opposite Jared Cannonier. Early last month reports surfaced suggesting that a deal was done to have Costa (13-1 MMA) and Cannonier (13-5 MMA) square off on August 21 at a location to be determined.
Paulo Costa withdraws from UFC fight with Jared Cannonier, Kelvin Gastelum set as replacement
Christopher Taylor - June 4, 2021
Paulo Costa has been forced to withdraw from his slated UFC fight with Jared Cannonier and will be replaced by fellow middleweight Kelvin Gastelum. Costa (13-1 MMA) and Cannonier (13-5 MMA) were expected to headliner a UFC event on August 21 in a location still to be determined. However, according to ESPN‘s Brett Okamoto, ‘The Eraser’ has been forced to withdraw from the bout and will be replaced by former TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum.
Paulo Costa set to return in August main event opposite Jared Cannonier
Drake Riggs - May 12, 2021
Two of the middleweight division’s top contenders are set to rebound off of recent losses against one another. It’s Paulo Costa vs. Jared Cannonier. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto confirmed the fight through UFC President Dana White on Wednesday. The tandem of top 5 ranked UFC middleweights will do battle in a five-round main event taking place on August 21. The fight night event’s location has yet to be determined.
Derek Brunson explains why he called out Paulo Costa following win over Kevin Holland
Adam D Martin - March 21, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson explained why he called out Paulo Costa following his win over Kevin Holland at UFC Vegas 22. Brunson won a unanimous decision over Holland in Saturday’s headliner. The 37-year-old veteran was able to take Holland down at will and control him on the mat for a dominant victory. Following the win, which was Brunson’s fourth straight victory at 185lbs, he called out the top contender Costa for a future fight. Costa was recently removed from a matchup against Robert Whittaker on April 17 and replaced by Kelvin Gastelum after the Brazilian pulled out due to illness. Once he feels better, Brunson is hoping the UFC books the fight.
Paulo Costa reveals timeframe for return to Octagon, suggests two potential opponents
Adam D Martin - March 17, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa revealed the timeframe for his return to the Octagon, and he suggested two potential opponents for it. Costa was set to fight Robert Whittaker in a potential No. 1 contender match at a UFC Fight Night card on April 17, but the fight fell apart because Costa is currently sick. The UFC didn’t want to take a chance that he wouldn’t be ready for the fight, so the promotion pulled Costa and replaced him with Kelvin Gastelum. While Gastelum benefits from Costa’s bad luck, the Brazilian continues to try and get better after battling the flu and COVID-19.
Coach provides details on Paulo Costa's current health
Harry Kettle - March 17, 2021
Paulo Costa‘s coach & brother has provided some more details on the current health of the UFC middleweight contender. It was recently reported that Costa has been forced out of his highly anticipated April 17 fight against Robert Whittaker, a fight many saw as a potential No. 1 contender bout at 185lbs. At the time, it was said Costa had been suffering from a severe case of the flu.
Paulo Costa claims “Sober Costa” is still “undefeated"
Cole Shelton - March 2, 2021
Paulo Costa has jokingly responded after all the backlash he received for saying he fought Israel Adesanya with a hangover. Costa had entered the Adesanya fight sporting an undefeated record, but something appeared to be off in the scrap. With that said, it was “The Last Stylebender” who emerged victorious by way of second-round TKO.
Luke Rockhold blasts "annoying, stupid" Paulo Costa for hangover excuse: "Shut up and stop making excuses"
Cole Shelton - March 2, 2021
Luke Rockhold is not a fan of Paulo Costa. After Costa suffered his first career loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 253 for the middleweight title he immediately said something happened. However, just recently, he explained that “something” was the fact he was dealing with a hangover. He said he drank a bottle of wine the night before the fight in order to fall asleep.
Israel Adesanya reacts after Paulo Costa suggests he was hungover in their fight at UFC 253
Harry Kettle - March 2, 2021
UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya has issued a reaction to Paulo Costa’s claim he was hungover for the UFC 253 showdown. Adesanya put on a real show when he defended his UFC Middleweight Championship against Costa, dominating and finishing the Brazilian star to successfully retain his title. Now, this Saturday at UFC 259, he’ll attempt to become a two-weight world champion when he challenges Jan Blachowicz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Daniel Cormier absolutely rips Paulo Costa for suggesting he lost to Israel Adesanya due to a hangover
Christopher Taylor - March 1, 2021
Daniel Cormier did not hold back while addressing Paulo Costa’s recent claim that he fought Israel Adesanya with a hangover at UFC 253. On Sunday, ‘The Eraser’ shocked fight fans when he suggested that the night before UFC 253, he downed an entire bottle of wine.
Paulo Costa claims he drank a bottle of wine the night before his title fight with Israel Adesanya
Adam Martin - February 28, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa claimed that he drank too much wine the night before his title fight with Israel Adesanya at UFC 253. The then-undefeated Costa was considered a live dog to defeat the champion Adesanya, but he proved to be an easy night at the office for the champion, who picked him apart with strikes from the outside before knocking Costa out. It was a fantastic performance by Adesanya, for sure, but it was still hard to believe Costa couldn’t offer more resistance. And now, the Brazilian is speaking out and explaining just why he performed so poorly, blaming it on a night of drinking, a decision that Costa surely wishes he hadn’t made.
Paulo Costa turns down opportunity to headline UFC on ABC 2 card vs. Robert Whittaker
Harry Kettle - February 15, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa has turned down the chance to main event the UFC’s next big ABC card on April 10, Fight News Australia reports. The fight night main event has been slated to take place on April 17 for a few weeks now, but the Ultimate Fighting Championship wanted to push it forward seven days and have it headline the promotion’s return to ABC.
Paulo Costa has seriously trimmed down since his loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 253 (Video)
Christopher Taylor - February 7, 2021
Paulo Costa has trimmed down considerably following his loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 253 this past September. Costa and Adesanya squared off for the promotions middleweight championship September 27 on Fight Island. Both men had entered the highly anticipated matchups sporting perfect professional records.
Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa opening betting odds released
Adam Martin - January 27, 2021
The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming middleweight bout between top contenders Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa. It was announced this week that Whittaker and Costa will meet in a five-round, non-title main event at a UFC Fight Night event scheduled for April 17. Both men had conveyed interest in an interim or vacant title fight with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya fighting up at 205lbs in his next bout, but the promotion decided to just make it a non-title five-rounder, with the winner likely in line for a title shot.
Team Paulo Costa "terrorizing" Dana White for Robert Whittaker matchup
Adam Martin - January 13, 2021
UFC president Dana White said that Team Paulo Costa has been “terrorizing” him to book a matchup against Robert Whittaker. Whittaker and Costa are the No. 1 and No. 2 contenders, respectively, in the UFC middleweight division, behind only champion Israel Adesanya. With the champ moving up to 205lbs for his next fight, it’s put the 185lbs division in a bit of a tricky situation moving forward. There’s no guarantee Adesanya will even return to the weight class should he defeat Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight belt at UFC 259, so the rest of the top contenders are essentially stuck in limbo at the moment.
Report | Paulo Costa vs. Robert Whittaker targeted for March, interim title possible says Wallid Ismail
Adam Martin - December 10, 2020
MMA manager Wallid Ismail says the UFC is targeting an important middleweight matchup between Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker for March. Ismail told Portal Do Vale Tudo that the UFC has already offered the fight to Costa and Whittaker for March. The manager said that Costa has agreed to the fight and now they are just waiting on Whittaker to sign off on his end of the deal. Ismail also said there is the possibility that the fight could be for the interim middleweight belt.