Tag: Paulo Costa

UFC star Tracy Cortez clarifies her relationship with Paulo Costa following viral photo

Tracy CortezDespite being on the shelf for more than a year, Tracy Cortez was a hot topic among MMA fans after her highly-publicized relationship with featherweight standout Brian Ortega came to an end. Cortez returned to the Octagon at Noche UFC, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Jasmine Jasudavicius, but prior to her successful return, […]

Tracy Cortez

Despite being on the shelf for more than a year, Tracy Cortez was a hot topic among MMA fans after her highly-publicized relationship with featherweight standout Brian Ortega came to an end.

Cortez returned to the Octagon at Noche UFC, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Jasmine Jasudavicius, but prior to her successful return, Cortez was the topic of much discussion after rumors ran rampant that the Phoenix-born beauty had found a new beau in one-time middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa.

In June, ‘The Eraser’ shared an image on X (formerly Twitter) of himself with Tracy Cortez. It was a relatively innocent picture, but considering Cortez’s relationship with Ortega had just ended, fans were quick to speculate that Cortez and Costa were now an item.

Tracy Cortez Was Happy to Let Fans Run Wild Theories

Speaking with Andrew Whitelaw in a Sportskeeda MMA exclusive interview, Tracy Cortez confirmed that she got a kick out of all the speculation online and decided to let it ride. In the end, it was nothing more than an innocent picture with a good friend.

“Again, I don’t know what it is. I don’t know what it is. But, for some reason, I can’t take a photo with anybody because people will just run with whatever image they have in their head,” Cortez said. “But, I did, I had a good laugh at it. Him [Paulo Costa] and his wife, or fiancee, video-chatted me…They called me…I was like, ‘Man, you know what?’ I said, ‘I don’t care. Run with it. It’s funny. It’s bringing people in. Do what you gotta do. But, just let’s clear the air once everything settles…It was literally just a picture.’”

Cortez’s win over the weekend moved her to 5-0 inside the Octagon and 11-1 overall. Despite her impressive run thus far, Cortez’s appearances have been few and far between with the flyweight only competing twice in the last two and a half years.

As for Paulo Costa, the top-10 middleweight contender will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon next month when the promotion heads to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294. ‘The Eraser’ will attempt to stop the momentum of undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev in what could very well become a title eliminator.

Khamzat Chimaev sends chilling message to bitter rival Paulo Costa ahead of UFC 294 fight: ‘You’re dead, man’

Khamzat Chimaev sends chilling message to Paulo Costa at UFC 294 You're dead manSlated to make his Octagon comeback next month at UFC 294 in October, undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has warned one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa ahead of their clash, vowing to send him back to his native Brazil “in a package”.  Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to make his […]

Khamzat Chimaev sends chilling message to Paulo Costa at UFC 294 You're dead man

Slated to make his Octagon comeback next month at UFC 294 in October, undefeated welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev has warned one-time middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa ahead of their clash, vowing to send him back to his native Brazil “in a package”. 

Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to make his middleweight division return for the first time since his promotional bow back in 2020, taking on Belo Horizonte native, Costa over the course of three rounds in a pivotal potential title-eliminator at UFC 294.

Sidelined since September of last year, AllStars MMA staple, Chimaev most recently turned in a dominant opening round submission win over incoming Noche UFC co-headliner, Kevin Holland, submitting the Riverside striker with a first round D’Arce choke submission victory.

Propelling his record to 12-0 as a result, Chimaev, who missed weight for a planned event headliner with Nate Diaz by a whopping seven and a half pounds, has been instructed to make a middleweight return for his return – resulting in a comeback fight against middleweight rival, Costa.

Khamzat Chimaev vows to send Paulo Costa back to Brazil as a “dead man”

And attempting to shake up the division even more off the back of Sean Stickland’s stunning title victory over former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya last weekend at UFC 293, Chimaev has issued a chilling warning to Costa, ahead of their clash in the Middle East.

“Paulo (Costa), you’re dead, man,” Khamzat Chimaev said on his official YouTube channel. “Just be sure to come up to the cage, (I’ll) beat you up (and) send you back in a package to Brazil.”

“But, still in Brazil, they don’t want you,” Khamzat Chimaev explained. “No countries recognize you. Now you’re coming to my country. Muslims, brother, they’re coming for you. Allahu Akhbar.” 

Himself predicting his own respective victory against Chimaev, Costa claimed he would land a “savage” finish of the Chechen-born contender – likely within the very first round of their UFC 294 grudge match. 

WIll Khamzat Chimaev remain undefeated as he takes on Paulo Costa at UFC 294?

Paulo Costa floated as potential opponent for Sean Strickland after UFC 293 title win: ‘I know they had beef’

Paulo Costa floated as title fight opponent for Sean Strickland they had beef UFCWhile an immediate championship rematch between Sean Strickland and former champion, Israel Adesanya has been widely floated in the fallout from UFC 293, the newly-minted champion’s teammate, Chris Curtis, has claimed Strickland should fight incoming UFC 294 feature, Paulo Costa in his first attempted title defense.  Strickland, who headlined his first pay-per-view event under the […]

Paulo Costa floated as title fight opponent for Sean Strickland they had beef UFC

While an immediate championship rematch between Sean Strickland and former champion, Israel Adesanya has been widely floated in the fallout from UFC 293, the newly-minted champion’s teammate, Chris Curtis, has claimed Strickland should fight incoming UFC 294 feature, Paulo Costa in his first attempted title defense. 

Strickland, who headlined his first pay-per-view event under the banner of the Dana White-led promotion last weekend, managed to turn in a one of the most jaw-dropping title upset victories to boot, defeating two-time champion, Adesanya in a one-sided unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) success in Sydney, Australia.

And in the immediate aftermath of the shocking upset triumphs, Strickland has been lined up to fight Adesanya in the immediate future in a rematch turnaround, particularly by promotional leader, White.

As far as Adesanya’s head coach is concerned, a rematch between his City Kickboxing student, and newly-crowned titleholder, Strickland could take place as soon as December at UFC 296, or in the opening months of next year.

Could Sean Strickland defend his title against Paulo Costa next?

However, according to middleweight contender, Curtis, the Xtreme Couture staple has claimed his training partner, Strickland and Brazilian favorite, Paulo Costa should share the Octagon next.

“Honestly, I really want to see him (Sean Strickland) fight Paulo (Costa),” Chris Curtis told MMA Fighting. “I know they had beef, and I know Sean really wanted to fight Paulo. He really wanted to beat him up and there was some talk going on there, and Paulo found a reason not to fight.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

The one-time middleweight title challenger has his hands most definitely full at the time of publication despite Curtis’ backing for a title fight with Strickland, with Costa set to feature at UFC 294 next month, welcoming undefeated Chechen finisher, Khamzat Chimaev back to the middleweight limit and active competition to boot.

Would you like to see Paulo Costa challenge Sean Strickland for the title? 

Khamzat Chimaev backed to struggle with Paulo Costa at UFC 294: ‘It’s going to be a long night for him’

Khamzat Chimaev to struggle with Paulo Costa at UFC 294 long night for himUndefeated finisher, Khamzat Chimaev has been tipped to struggle with the striking ability of Paulo Costa per a former opponent of his, Gilbert Burns – who claims their UFC 294 clash will ultimately be decided when both men exhibit their skills in the clinch. Chimaev, who boasts an undefeated 12-0 professional record, is slated to […]

Khamzat Chimaev to struggle with Paulo Costa at UFC 294 long night for him

Undefeated finisher, Khamzat Chimaev has been tipped to struggle with the striking ability of Paulo Costa per a former opponent of his, Gilbert Burns – who claims their UFC 294 clash will ultimately be decided when both men exhibit their skills in the clinch.

Chimaev, who boasts an undefeated 12-0 professional record, is slated to return to the Octagon at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – making a return to the middleweight limit for the first time since his promotional bow to boot.

As for Costa, the Belo Horizonte native will feature for the first time since August of last year in his return against Khamzat Chimaev, having most recently snapped a two-fight losing skid in a close unanimous decision win over former champion, Luke Rockhold in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Khamzat Chimaev warned of Paulo Costa’s striking ability ahead of UFC 294

Breaking down Chimaev’s middleweight ranks return against Costa later this year in the MIddle East, Burns, a former foe or the Chechen, claims his Brazilian counterpart could profit hugely if he manages to defend relentless takedown attempts from Chimaev.

“That is a good one,” Gilbert Burns said of the bout during an appearance at a Q&A event at UFC Singapore. “I’m even going to make a big breakdown of that on my YouTube channel, but it’s a very close fight. I think it’s going to be decided in the clinch.”

“I think Khamzat will come with a lot of pressure, [and] try to take Costa down,” Burns explained. “If he’s able, it’s going to be a big problem for Costa. But if Costa defends and can get away and use the striking, it’s going to be a long night for Khamzat. I think it’s a very close fight and it will be decided in the clinch. If Khamzat can take him down, Khamzat wins. But if Costa can defend it and use the striking, then Costa wins – very close fight.”

Can Khamzat Chimaev remain undefeated in his return at UFC 294?

Khamzat Chimaev backed to excel at middleweight ahead of UFC 294: ‘I think he’ll be even more dominant’

Khamzat Chimaev tipped to excel at middleweight UFC 294 he'll be more dominantAhead of his Octagon return at UFC 294 in October, Khamzat Chimaev has been tipped to further continue his dominant roughshod run through contenders, according to Kevin Holland – who expects the Chechen finisher to excel at the middleweight limit. Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to make a return to […]

Khamzat Chimaev tipped to excel at middleweight UFC 294 he'll be more dominant

Ahead of his Octagon return at UFC 294 in October, Khamzat Chimaev has been tipped to further continue his dominant roughshod run through contenders, according to Kevin Holland – who expects the Chechen finisher to excel at the middleweight limit.

Chimaev, the current number four ranked welterweight contender, is slated to make a return to the middleweight limit for the first time since his debut in the UFC later this year at UFC 24 in Abu Dhabi, UAE – taking on former division title challenger, Paulo Costa.

Sidelined since he co-headlined a UFC 279 event back in September of last year against the aforenoted Riverside native, Holland, Chimaev improved to 12-0 as a professional at the event, submitting the former with a stunning first round D’Arce choke stoppage.

Kevin Holland expects a dominant run for Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight

And now booked to co-headline UFC 294 in October, AllStars MMA mainstay, Chimaev has been touted to become an even more dominant force at the middleweight limit/

“That should be pretty fun,” Kevin Holland told Helen Yee of a fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa during a recent interview. “I think a lot of people forget that Paulo Costa was undefeated until he lost to ‘Izzy’ (Israel Adesanya). So, I think a lot of people just kind of target how good Paulo Costa is. So I think that’s probably the toughest fight that Chimaev is gonna have to date, especially with the size.”

“I think Chimaev at 185 (pounds) will probably be even more dominant than he is at 170 (pounds),” Holland continued. “Not as bad of a [weight] cut. He can feel more comfortable. I think it’s a good fight. Dude looks like he’s putting on a little bit more size. I think they’ll match up and clash up really well.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

For Costa, the Belo Horizonte native, who has predicted a dominant first round stoppage of Chimaev in “savage” fashion – most recently snapped a two-fight losing skid against former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold. 

Do you expect more of the same success for Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294?

Paulo Costa tops USADA list as most tested fighter of the year ahead of return at UFC 294, fans point to ‘Secret juice’

Paulo Costa tops USADA list as most tested fighter UFC 294 return secret juiceFormer middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has landed the accolade as the current most tested fighter by anti-doping agency, USADA (United States Ant-Doping Agency) as of this year, ahead of his planned Octagon return at UFC 294 in October. Costa, who currently holds the number six rank in the official middleweight pile, is slated to […]

Paulo Costa tops USADA list as most tested fighter UFC 294 return secret juice

Former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa has landed the accolade as the current most tested fighter by anti-doping agency, USADA (United States Ant-Doping Agency) as of this year, ahead of his planned Octagon return at UFC 294 in October.

Costa, who currently holds the number six rank in the official middleweight pile, is slated to make his return at UFC 294 later this year, taking on the undefeated number four ranked welterweight contender, Khamzat Chimaev, in the latter’s return to the middleweight class.

Sidelined since he featured on the main card of UFC 278 back in August of last year, Belo Horizonte native, Paulo Costa turned in a unanimous decision win over former undisputed middleweight titleholder, Luke Rockhold, snapping a winless run of two fights, after consecutive losses to both Israel Adesanya, and Marvin Vettori.

And at the time of publication, Costa, alongside flyweight contender, Charles Johnson – have certainly caught the attention of the above-mentioned anti-doping agency, USADA, with the UFC partners administering a whopping 18 separate tests to the pair since the beginning of 2023. 

Paulo Costa tops USADA testing bill this year

Given the relatively high number of tests issued to Costa, the outspoken Brazilian – who has flaunted an apparent concoction, simply labelled “secret juice” in a marketing ploy this year, the sizeable contender has drawn attention to himself as a result, according to fans across social media. 

Prior to his booking with the undefeated finisher, Chimaev at UFC 294 later this year in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Costa was expected to fight Dana White’s Contender Series product, Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291 at the end of alst month in Salt Lake City, Utah, however, confirmed he never put pen to paper on a deal.

UFC 294 takes place on October 21. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with an undisputed lightweight title rematch between champion, Islam Makhachev, and former titleholder, Charles Oliveira set to take main event status. 

Do you expect Paulo Costa to beat Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294?