Paulo Costa has Sean Strickland starting to worry about their anticipated clash at UFC 302 next month (Sat., June 1, 2024).
The expected match up is Strickland’s first since he lost UFC Middleweight gold to Dricus Du Plessis via a split decision at UFC 297 in January 2024 (watch highlights). Costa fought just one month after Strickland in his most recent bout, and unfortunately for him, lost a unanimous decision against Robert Whittaker in their UFC 298 co-main event.
Costa, 33, has been an occasionally problematic fighter outside of the Octagon in the past so many years. Specifically when it comes to fights moving around or not happening. With Whittaker, for example, that matchup was supposed to happen sooner than it did, but contract issues led to its delay. Ultimately, Strickland fears some more antics are afoot ahead of their bout.
“Well goddamn, Costa,” Strickland said in an X video. “I’ve heard that you’ve yet to sign that contract, and I’ll tell you what, man, I didn’t f—king believe it. I did not think you’d be acting like a coward. I thought you would man up, sack up, and instead, you’re acting like you got f—king ovaries.
“So, I went on the Googler, I did the right things. Gave you the benefit of the doubt,” he continued. “I noticed something, man. After you fought ‘Izzy,’ you went downhill. You went off that f—king deep end, my man. I don’t know what happened in that little f—king pea brain you have. Do we need to get someone for you to talk to? Do we need to sit you down, have you talk about your f—king feelings? I think therapy’s for weak men, but let me tell you something, dude. You’re being a weak f—king man. If you can’t sack up and make this s—t happen, we’ll get someone for you to talk to. Don’t disappoint me, don’t disappoint the fans, let me make you f—king bleed.”
Costa’s clash with Whittaker was his first since a unanimous decision win over former Middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold, at UFC 278 in August 2022 (watch highlights).