It's been six years since Paulo Costa was knocked out at UFC, and after another disappointing night at UFC 302, he's determined to change that.
Costa suffered a lethargic decision loss to Sean Strickland in the five-round co-main event of UFC 302 on Saturday, marking his fourth loss in his last five UFC appearances and another setback for the one-time title challenger. Since beginning his MMA career as a ferocious knockout artist, recording four straight knockouts during his 2017-2018 UFC run, Costa has transitioned to a more patient, conservative style, winning five of his last six bouts by decision. The lone exception was a second-round knockout loss to then-UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in 2020.
During the UFC 302 post-fight press conference, Strickland criticized Costa for “running around” throughout the non-title bout, and now Costa has had enough.
On Sunday, the frustrated 33-year-old middleweight boxer posted a lengthy video on social media platform X, which has since been deleted, vowing to return to his old, fierce boxing style.
“I [old] “Paulo is going to drop his head and finish the match,” Costa said. “I'm not that kind of counter type. [fighter]Sorry, I'm not that type of counter person. [when I] Move forward and aim for the finish, aiming for the heads.
“I have the power, so I need to use it, and that's what I'm going to do. I don't care about points, saving energy, any of that stuff. I'm coming to knock your head off. This is who I am, this is the kind of fighter, this is the kind of fighter people expect from me.” [as]So I will. Fuck points, [had] Enough is enough.”
Costa's full promise can be read below, accompanied by the caption: “Did you hear that?”
“I'm just here to say, yes, Shawn won. I didn't perform very well. I don't think he did either, but at least he had what it took to win. That's two losses in three fights, three former champions, Luke Rockhold, [Robert] Whittaker vs Shawn. I'm 1-2. But I agree with Dana. [White] And Joe Rogan and I intend to do that. [old] Paulo ends the match with a head drop. I'm not that kind of counter. [fighter]Sorry, I'm not that type of counter person. [when I] I'm going to go forward and finish him off and go for the head. It's difficult because Shawn is a very awkward fighter and he's not good at fighting. He kept teeing me off and [away]”I'm coming in to push me, keep pushing me, keep pushing me, keep me away from him, because he knows my power. And I have power. So I need to exert it. And I'm going to do it. I don't care. I don't care about points or saving energy or anything like that. I'm coming in to knock my head off. This is who I am, this is the kind of fighter I am, this is the kind of fighter people expect from me. [as]So I will. Fuck the points, [had] Enough is enough. Even in the first round, when I was 100% sure I would win, some people thought I lost. Those people are shit. I'm coming to take their heads off. That's me.”
Costa (14-4) has suffered two straight losses at the hands of Strickland and Robert Whittaker, with his only win since 2019 coming in a unanimous decision win over Luke Rockhold in 2022. Oddly enough, the Brazilian talent is without a win against anyone on the current UFC roster.
