Paulo Costa’s journey in the UFC has seen many highs and lows, with his relationship with Dana White evolving over time. This Saturday, Costa returns to the octagon for the first time since his June 2023 loss to Sean Strickland, as he takes on Roman Kopilov at UFC 302. Before stepping into what might be one of MMA’s biggest stages, Costa must first overcome the formidable challenge Kopilov presents.
Known as “The Eraser,” Costa impressed in his early UFC bouts, earning a middleweight title shot against Israel Adesanya in 2020. Unfortunately, his performance suffered greatly after he admitted to drinking wine the night before, leading to one of his worst fights. Throughout his career, Costa has been candid about his rocky past with UFC president Dana White, explaining that initial contract disputes and poor pay caused tension between them.
Despite facing consecutive losses, Costa’s recent win in Russia has thrust him back into the middleweight title conversation. At UFC 319, Doricus Duplesis is defending his title against Kamza Chimaev, and Costa hopes to capitalize on that by re-igniting a previously planned matchup. However, to maintain momentum, Costa must secure a convincing win over Kopilov.
Fan Take: This fight is crucial not only for Costa’s comeback but also for the middleweight division’s shifting landscape. A strong performance could reignite title hopes and bring renewed excitement to UFC fans eager to see dynamic matchups in the division.
