Paulo Costa is gearing up for a pivotal matchup against Sean Strickland, determined to learn from his previous fight’s shortcomings. The two fighters verbally sparred on social media before finally agreeing to clash at UFC 302, following Strickland’s discussions with the promotion about a pay raise.
The upcoming fight, set as the co-main event in Newark, New Jersey on June 1, will see Costa enter the Octagon for the second time this year.
Paulo Costa about his Performance
He last competed at UFC 298, where he faced Robert Whittaker and lost by unanimous decision. Reflecting on this loss, Costa took to X to analyze his performance, identifying areas for improvement. He posted:
”I just rewatched my fight w Whittaker, I needed to add a little more rhythm and strokes. Maybe that’s why the judges gave it 2×1 in the rounds in his favor. I prioritized the damage factor, leaving him bleeding and bloody in every round even with fewer hits. I’m going to force myself to hit more from now on and keep hurting. Mark my works, I will be a machine hitter in the nexts.”
Meanwhile, Strickland, who recently lost his middleweight title to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 via a split decision, aims to use the upcoming bout to reassert his dominance in the division.
This match is crucial for both fighters, as Costa looks to bounce back from his loss, and Strickland seeks to reclaim his standing at the top of the middleweight rankings.
Additionally, Costa recently commented on Strickland’s fan base, which has been a topic of debate within the MMA community due to ‘Tarzan’s’ outspoken and often controversial nature.
When an MMA-centric page on X asked, “Which fighter has the worst fanbase?” featuring a photo of Strickland, Costa, known for his humorous and cheeky online persona, responded:
“I jeezagree”
I jeezagree https://t.co/eYTJeLI85P
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) March 21, 2024
This playful banter highlights Costa’s lighthearted approach to the often intense rivalries and discussions surrounding MMA personalities and their followers.
