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Undefeated middleweight Paulo Costa will enter the biggest fight of his MMA career later tonight (Sat., Aug. 17, 2019) at UFC 241 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., when he takes on perennial contender Yoel Romero.
While the 185-pound matchup has massive implications in the growing middleweight division, Costa is fighting for more than just rankings this weekend in Anaheim. The surging Brazilian is hoping to get payback on Romero after “Soldier of God” outed him for allegedly failing a United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) test.
That’s why Costa is more emotionally charged for this fight and eager to take on one of the most intimidating middleweights of all time.
“I want to fight against him because he talked a lot of (expletive) about me,” Costa said earlier this week at UFC 241’s media day (via MMA Junkie). “It’s personal for me. Plus, I’m ready for everyone in this division. I’ll show everyone who is the new division of the king. It’s me. I can beat everyone.
Costa added, “It’s 100% personal and he’s the number two or number one (contender). So, I’m very excited for this fight.”
Costa, who holds an undefeated professional record at 12-0 (4-0 UFC), has finished each and every one of his Octagon victories. The Brazilian has certainly done enough to secure himself a spot on one of the biggest combat cards of the year, but it’s up to Costa to cash in and stand out among other title suitors at 185 pounds.
“This is the fight I’ve been looking for for a long time,” Costa said. “Romero is one of the toughest guys (in) this division. After I beat him, I’ll put one of my hands on the title. It’s a very important fight to be (in).”
Should Costa get past Romero this weekend at UFC 241 there wouldn’t be much left for the young contender to prove en route to clinching a middleweight title shot. At least that’s what “Borrachinha” is thinking as he sets his sights on the upcoming UFC 243 matchup between division champion Robert Whittaker and interim titleholder Israel Adesanya.
“I’d love to see Adesanya (beat) Whittaker because he talks a lot of (expletive),” Costa said. “I want to fight against him. But I think Whittaker will beat him, because Whittaker is more complete. He has better ground (fighting). Whittaker knows how to hold him on the cage and has more experience.”
Despite all of his success over the past two years and his rapidly growing UFC stock, Costa hasn’t seen action inside of the cage since his finish over Uriah Hall 13 months ago. That’s a long time off especially for a young fighter who needs live action to grow in skill. While Costa could experience some sort of cage rust against a daunting opponent like Romero the Brazilian fighter insists his time off was simply a way to improve his overall game.
“I feel better than last time,” Costa said. “I feel great. My speed is better. My power is better. My conditioning (and physically I’m) better. My mind is fresh now because in 2017, I did three fights, and my mind was very busy.
“Now I’m fresh. I don’t have serious injuries. I had them in camp, but now I’m 100 percent, and I’m ready to (put on) the best show for all you fans on Saturday.”