by Adam Josephson
Paulo Costa asserts he has significantly diversified his skills since his title loss to Israel Adesanya in 2020. Before facing Adesanya at UFC 253, Costa was undefeated with 13 wins, including 12 finishes. Adesanya handed him his first defeat via a second-round TKO. Since then, Costa has gone 1-2 but showcased his growth in a gritty performance against Robert Whittaker, almost securing a knockout despite losing by unanimous decision.
Costa claims to have added new techniques to his repertoire, including a spinning back kick and improvements in wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and boxing. Speaking to ESPN MMA, he said, “I’ve grown a lot as a fighter and a person; [I’m] more experienced.”
Costa is set to face former champ Sean Strickland (28-6) in a five-round co-headliner at UFC 302 this weekend at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Strickland has labeled Costa a predictable and “basic” fighter, relying on countering rushing opponents. However, Costa believes Strickland is the more “basic” fighter, relying mainly on a jab and cross. Costa promises to bring a variety of lethal weapons to secure the finish on Saturday night.
“He is [a] basic fighter. He is [a] very basic fighter,” Costa said. “He just jabs and crosses. I don’t see anything else from him. I have skills, I have weapons [in] my toolbox to show on Saturday. This fight can finish in every single way, like spinning back heel kick, front head kick, spinning back on the belly, left hand, hooks; even on the ground. So, I’m not [a] basic fighter… [I’ve] sharpened my hands, sharpened my kicks, wrestling takedowns, ground and pound. This fight can finish in every single way.”
