It has been nearly a year since Paulo Costa last competed in the UFC Octagon, and he remains actively training for his upcoming return. Known as “The Eraser,” Costa’s last fight was in July at UFC 318 against Roman Kopylov.
Costa was initially slated to make his comeback at UFC 326 in March, where he was set to face Bruno Ferreira. However, he pulled out of the bout shortly after it was announced, raising questions about his dependability once again.
Paulo Costa Reacts Angrily After Coach Discloses His Ambitions
Following Costa’s withdrawal, the UFC revealed that he would be moving up to the light heavyweight division. His debut at 205 pounds is scheduled for UFC 327 in April, where he will take on the undefeated Azamat Murzakhanov. This move comes as Costa tries to regain momentum after several missed opportunities due to his pullouts.
Nevertheless, his transition to light heavyweight might not be permanent. According to his coach Andre Benkei, Costa’s ultimate objective remains to capture UFC titles in two weight classes. “He is determined to become a world champion and aims to achieve that within a year,” Benkei shared with MMAFighting.
Benkei also explained that Costa never officially signed the contract for the Ferreira fight; they merely discussed the possibility because the UFC did not offer a top-10 or top-5 opponent. Costa was reportedly frustrated with the UFC but was promised that a win in his upcoming match could earn him a top-five ranking in both divisions, positioning him for a title shot in either weight class.
“Our goal is to be champions in both divisions. That’s what he wants,” Benkei affirmed.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Costa Sets His Sights on Dual Titles Amid Fan Skepticism
Costa’s ambition to become a two-division UFC champion has been met with skepticism. Despite competing in the UFC with a 7-4 record, he has not demonstrated significant growth since his first title fight back in 2020. Many fans are critical of his lofty goals, questioning the likelihood of him achieving dual championship status.
One fan remarked, “Did Paulo really become a champion in two divisions? Who is backing him?” Another added, “But he never actually won a title…” A third fan jokingly said, “He’s busy growing wings to learn how to fly.” Additional comments expressed frustration about Costa’s lack of improvement and urged the organization to cut ties with him altogether.
Fan Take: Paulo Costa’s journey highlights the challenges fighters face in balancing career ambitions with consistency and professionalism. His move to light heavyweight and pursuit of dual titles is a storyline worth following, as it could influence the landscape of UFC divisions and inspire debates about fighter commitment and evolution in the sport.
