Paulo Costa News

Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya shares prediction for Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa at UFC 298

Cole Shelton - February 14, 2024

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has shared his prediction for the UFC 298 co-main event between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa. Adesanya has fought both men, defeating Whittaker twice, once by decision and once by knockout, while also beating Costa by knockout. Given his familiarity with both fighters, ‘The Last Stylebender’ seems to have a good idea of how the bout will play out on Saturday night in Anaheim, as he expects Whittaker to wrestle the Brazilian.

Robert Whittaker
Paulo Costa

Robert Whittaker excited to go out and "hurt" Paulo Costa at UFC 298: "I'm coming for violence"

Cole Shelton - February 13, 2024

Robert Whittaker is glad he and Paulo Costa will finally fight. Whittaker and Costa have been scheduled to fight one another twice previously, including last February, but both times the Brazilian was the reason for the proposed contest falling apart. Despite that, when Whittaker was offered to face Costa at UFC 298 in Anaheim, he jumped at the chance to do so.

Robert-Whittaker-Paulo-Costa
Paulo Costa

Chael Sonnen unsure if Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa happens at UFC 298: "It doesn’t feel like those guys are getting ready to fight"

Fernando Quiles - February 8, 2024

Chael Sonnen has a bad feeling about the planned UFC 298 matchup between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa. Whittaker vs Costa is scheduled to take place inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on February 17. The middleweight collision is set to be featured on the main card of UFC 298. Some have been skeptical of the bout ever taking place given “Borrachinha’s” history with unfortunate fight removals.

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Anthony Smith questions Paulo Costa’s status as heavy-hitting knockout artist: “He hasn’t knocked out anybody in a while”

Harry Kettle - February 2, 2024

Anthony Smith has questioned Paulo Costa’s status as a knockout artist given his record in recent years. At UFC 298, Paulo Costa will finally make his return to the Octagon. He’ll do so when he collides with Robert Whittaker, with many believing a big win could get him right back into title contention. Of course, with just one win in the last three and a half years, there’s a lot of work to be done.

Paulo Costa, Conor McGregor
Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa calls for longshot middleweight bout with 'Exceptional' Conor McGregor: "He's huge"

Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2024

UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa believes that he will fight Conor McGregor one day, possibly as early as this year. ‘The Notorious’ is currently on the comeback trail. Having not competed in over two years, Conor McGregor recently announced plans to return on June 29th at International Fight Week. For his first fight back, the Irishman wants to face Michael Chandler at 185 pounds. ‘Iron’ quickly confirmed his intention to fight McGregor this summer.

Paulo Costa
Robert Whittaker

Paulo Costa reveals he still hasn't signed a contract to fight Robert Whittaker at UFC 298, claims the bout is still on

Cole Shelton - January 10, 2024

Paulo Costa is still waiting to sign his contract for his UFC 298 fight against Robert Whittaker. The UFC announced that Costa will finally return to the Octagon against Whittaker on Feb. 17 in Anaheim, California. It’s an intriguing matchup but when the fight was announced, many fans were worried it wouldn’t happen.

Paulo Costa
Robert Whittaker

Paulo Costa responds to UFC 299 challenge from Robert Whittaker: “It’s adorable”

Susan Cox - December 1, 2023

Paulo Costa is responding to the UFC 299 challenge he received from Robert Whittaker. UFC 299 will take place on Saturday, March 9th, 2024, at a TBD location.

Paulo Costa
UFC

Former title challenger Paulo Costa hints he will return to the Octagon at UFC 297

Harry Kettle - November 27, 2023

Former UFC title challenger Paulo Costa has hinted that he will make his return to the Octagon at UFC 297 next year. For the longest time now, Paulo Costa has served as one of the most interesting characters in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Between his fight style and his infectious personality, the Brazilian has certainly turned a few heads since becoming one of the top contenders at middleweight. Some love him and some hate him, but nobody can deny the impact he has as a figure in mixed martial arts.

Paulo Costa, UFC
UFC

Video | Paulo Costa issues statement after being involved in UFC 294 brawl

Chris Taylor - October 21, 2023

Former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa has issued a statement after being involved in a brawl at UFC 294. Costa (14-2 MMA) was originally scheduled to compete at today’s UFC 294 event in Abu Dhabi against undefeated sensation Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA).

Dana White and Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Dana White defends "pain in the ass" Paulo Costa after withdrawing from UFC 294: "It's legit"

Cole Shelton - October 19, 2023

UFC CEO Dana White has defended Paulo Costa following his withdrawal from his UFC 294 fight against Khamzat Chimaev. Costa hadn’t fought since August of last year but was supposed to face Robert Whittaker in February in Perth. However, the Brazilian was in a contract dispute with the UFC, and the fight was scrapped. The former middleweight title challenger was then booked against Ikram Aliskerov in July, but that fight also never came to fruition.

Michael-Bisping
Paulo Costa

Michael Bisping reacts to Paulo Costa’s latest fight cancellation: “He’s a bit of a madman isn’t he.”

Susan Cox - October 16, 2023

Michael Bisping is reacting to Paulo Costa’s latest fight cancellation. Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA) was scheduled to fight Khamzat Chimaev (12-0 MMA) in a middleweight bout on Saturday, October 21st at UFC 294 which takes place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

UFC middleweight Paulo Costa details past issues with USADA: "I often had anxiety before going to sleep"

Fernando Quiles - October 15, 2023

UFC title contender Paulo Costa is not a fan of how USADA operates. Massive news dropped in the world of MMA when USADA CEO Travis Tygart announced that the agency and UFC would no longer be partners in January 2024. This split has been anything but cordial, as USADA insinuated that Conor McGregor and UFC color commentator Joe Rogan may have helped make the relationship “untenable.” UFC EVP and CBO Hunter Campbell has threatened legal action against USADA over Tygart’s statement.

Paulo Costa
Khamzat Chimaev

Dana White says the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa fight is now in jeopardy for UFC 294

Harry Kettle - October 11, 2023

UFC president Dana White has confirmed that the Khamzat Chimaev vs Paulo Costa fight is now in jeopardy for UFC 294. Just a few hours ago, it was announced that Alexander Volkanovski will be replacing Charles Oliveira in a rematch against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294. Now, in addition to that, there are rumors circulating regarding the well-being of Paulo Costa. The Brazilian announced recently that he had elbow surgery just a matter of weeks ago, leaving many to wonder whether or not he’d be able to make it to fight night.

Khamzat Chimaev
Paulo Costa

Khamzat Chimaev accused of “sabotaging” Paulo Costa fight camp ahead of UFC 294

Susan Cox - October 10, 2023

Khamzat Chimaev is being accused of ‘sabotaging’ Paulo Costa fight camp ahead of UFC 294. UFC 294 takes place on Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The co-main event will feature Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA) going up against Khamzat Chimaev (12-0 MMA) in a middleweight bout.

Paulo Costa
UFC

Paulo Costa reveals he had elbow surgery, vows his UFC 294 fight against Khamzat Chimaev will still happen

Cole Shelton - October 9, 2023

Paulo Costa claims he recently underwent elbow surgery. Costa took to Instagram to reveal he had surgery three weeks ago to treat an infected bursa on his right elbow. Although he underwent surgery, Costa is adamant his UFC 294 fight on Oct. 21 against Khamzat Chimaev will still take place, despite him only having five weeks since the surgery.

Paulo Costa, Khamzat Chimaev, UFC
Khamzat Chimaev

Israel Adesanya weighs in on the upcoming middleweight fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa: “I might be favoring Khamzat a little bit more”

Harry Kettle - September 5, 2023

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has given his thoughts on the upcoming fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa. This weekend, Israel Adesanya will defend his UFC title against Sean Strickland. While that is his primary focus right now, he knows better than anyone that other contenders are waiting for their moment to shine. In addition to Dricus du Plessis, we also have Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa, who will square off next month at UFC 294.

Khamzat Chimaev, UFC 279, Press Conference
Paulo Costa

Photo | Khamzat Chimaev flaunts his physique ahead of middleweight return against Paulo Costa at UFC 294

Harry Kettle - July 28, 2023

Khamzat Chimaev’s physique looks as good as ever as he prepares to return against Paulo Costa at UFC 294. After a year away, Khamzat Chimaev will return to the Octagon this October. When doing so, he’ll go up against Paulo Costa, a man he’s been going back and forth with for a long time now. The expectation, in the eyes of many, is that he’ll be able to get the job done and potentially even earn himself a shot at the UFC middleweight championship.

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa takes aim at "dead man walking" Khamzat Chimaev ahead of UFC 294 fight: "I’m going to destroy him"

Cole Shelton - July 25, 2023

Paulo Costa expects to beat Khamzat Chimaev with relative ease. Costa and Chimaev are set to fight at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi in a very intriguing middleweight matchup. The winner of the fight could very well earn a title shot, and the oddsmakers have Chimaev as a sizeable betting favorite.