Paulo Costa’s been busy. Since his 2020 defeat by Israel Adesanya, he’s been sharpening his tools, adding new moves to his repertoire. And boy, does he have a point to prove.
Before facing Adesanya at UFC 253, Costa was unbeaten. Twelve of his thirteen victories came by finishing his opponents. But then, Adesanya happened. Costa faced his first professional loss via a second-round technical knockout. It was a striking masterclass from Adesanya.
Despite a rocky path post-Adesanya with a record of 1-2, Costa’s recent bout against Robert Whittaker showcased his resilience. He almost turned the tables on “The Reaper,” despite a unanimous decision loss. Costa’s confident he’s not the same fighter Adesanya defeated.
Oh, and there’s a fight night coming up! UFC 302 is just around the corner, featuring Costa in a five-round co-headliner against former champ Sean Strickland. It’s happening this weekend at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Strickland’s called Costa “predictable” and “basic.” But Costa? He begs to differ.
Costa’s got a bone to pick with Strickland’s assessment. “He’s the basic one,” Costa retorts. According to him, Strickland’s arsenal is nothing but a jab and a cross. Yawn. Costa, on the other hand, promises an array of attacks. Spinning back heel kicks, front head kicks, and even ground finishes are all on the table. He’s not just about punches and kicks; he’s honed his wrestling and ground-and-pound game too.
In his own words, Costa’s not a “basic fighter.” He’s coming into the fight with sharpened skills, ready to showcase his improved boxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. And with his sights set on victory, Costa’s determined to prove he’s a force to be reckoned with. This Saturday, it could end in any number of ways. But one thing’s for sure: Costa’s not going down without a fight.