Tag: Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa eyes fight with ex-Champion Kamaru Usman after UFC 298 return: ‘I might finish him’

Paulo Costa eyes fight with Kamaru Usman in UFC next I might finish himOff the back of his decision defeat to former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker last weekend in the co-main…

Paulo Costa eyes fight with Kamaru Usman in UFC next I might finish him

Off the back of his decision defeat to former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker last weekend in the co-main event of UFC 298, former divisional title chaser, Paulo Costa has claimed a fight with former welterweight gold holder, Kamaru Usman is something that definitely interests him next.

Costa, the current number seventh ranked middleweight contender, had been sidelined for almost two years prior to last weekend’s co-headlining clash with former champion, Whittaker.

And despite almost closing the show late in the first round with a hellacious wheel kick attempt before the initial frame buzzer, Belo Horizonte native, Costa returned to the losing column in a decision loss to Whittaker.

As for Usman, the former pound-for-pound number one most recently co-headlined UFC 294 himself back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – losing a close, majority decision defeat to the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev on short-notice.

Paulo Costa weighs up Kamaru Usman clash

And weighing up a potential middleweight stay following an impromptu divisional debut, Usman has been called out by Costa following his UFC 298 return – claiming that he may be able to do what Chimaev failed to, and finish the Auchi veteran if they share the Octagon together.

“(Kamaru) Usman [at] 185lbs looks interesting,” Paulo Costa posted on his official X account today. “Gourmet Chen Chen couldn’t finish him even [on] short notice. I might.”

Slumping to his third consecutive loss with his defeat to Chechnya native, Chimaev, Usman had dropped a pair of championship rematch and subsequent rubber-match losses to three time foe, Leon Edwards in the pair’s recent title showdowns. 

Himself challenging for gold back in 2020 at the middleweight limit, Costa’s unbeaten run came to a close in the form of a one-sided second round knockout loss to former two-time weight class champion, Israel Adesanya. 

Who wins in a future fight: Kamaru Usman or Paulo Costa?

Robert Whittaker outworks Paulo Costa, fights his way back into the win column via UD – UFC 298 Highlights

Robert WhittakerRobert Whittaker got back into the win column with a fantastic performance against the returning Paulo Costa in their…

Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker got back into the win column with a fantastic performance against the returning Paulo Costa in their UFC 298 co-main event.

The opening round was fairly competitive with Whittaker gaining a small advantage via a series of nasty calf kicks to Costa’s lead leg. However, ‘The Eraser’ appeared to steal the round with a perfectly timed spinning heel kick in the closing seconds that had Whittaker on rubber legs.

Despite being bloodied and battered, Whittaker appeared to be the fresher fighter throughout the second round. ‘The Reaper’ continued to attack Costa’s leg and blasted the one-time title challenger with a brilliant one-two combination.

With the contest potentially tied at 1-1, Costa came out with a sense of urgency, but it did nothing to deter Whittaker from going on the attack. With three minutes to go, Costa was calling for Whittaker to stand in the center and bang with him. Whittaker refused to take the bait and stuck to his game plan.

Costa once again attempted to land the spinning heel kick, but Costa saw it coming this time and avoided the danger. With 10 seconds to go, Whittaker briefly attempted a takedown before bailing out and landing another solid combination as the final horn sounded.

Official Result: Robert Whittaker def. Paulo Costa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Check Out Highlights From Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa at UFC 298: 

https://twitter.com/Bzrsports/status/1759083654821671077

Video – Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for return fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC 298

Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for UFC 298 fight with Robert WhittakerYet to tip the scales since he featured back in 2022, former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa did so…

Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for UFC 298 fight with Robert Whittaker

Yet to tip the scales since he featured back in 2022, former middleweight title challenger, Paulo Costa did so successfully today ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 298 this weekend, as he takes on Robert Whittaker in a potential title-eliminator.

Costa, the current number six ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he took main card honors back in 2022, landing a unanimous decision win over former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight titleholder, Luke Rockhold.

Booked to co-headline UFC 294 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Costa was forced from a grudge fight with the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev – suffering a nasty bursitis infection in his elbow, resulting in multiple surgical procedures. 

Paulo Costa successfully makes weight for UFC 298

And slated to come back at UFC 298 this weekend at the Honda Center, Belo Horizonte native, Costa takes on former undisputed champion, Whittaker – and for the first time in almost two years, the Brazilian successfully made weight – tipping 185.5 pounds for his co-headliner with the fan-favorite.

Dropping just two professional losses in his career, Brazilian powerhouse, Costa suffered a knockout defeat in an unsuccessful title charge against common-foe, Israel Adesanya – before then forcing an impromptu light heavyweight fight – and subsequent defeat to Marvin Vettori. 

Over the course of his tenure in the Dana White-led promotion, Costa has turned in notable wins over the likes of Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero, Uriah Hall, and former champion, Johny Hendricks. 

Who wins at UFC 298 this weekend: Robert Whittaker or Paulo Costa?