Paulo ‘Borrachinha’ Costa, born April 21, 1991, is a 33-year-old Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He competes in the Middleweight division (185 lbs) of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Costa’s background is shaped by his upbringing in Contagem, Brazil. His father, Carlos Roberto, worked various odd jobs, and his mother, Maria Augusta, supported him financially. Paulo’s older brother, Carlos Costa, was a former MMA fighter and one of his coaches. To avoid street altercations, Costa took up Muay Thai at the age of nine, and later, he delved into jiu-jitsu under his brother’s guidance. After his father’s passing, Paulo returned to jiu-jitsu and began competing.
In addition to his martial arts pursuits, Costa worked in real estate and taught Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel as an IT teacher to support the family financially. His professional MMA journey commenced in Brazil in February 2012, where he built an impressive record of 8-0 with 7 knockouts and 1 submission. He then participated in The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3, where he showcased his skills well enough to land him a UFC contract.
Costa’s UFC debut in March 2017 resulted in a TKO victory against Garreth McLellan, earning him the Performance of the Night award. As of May 2024, he holds the #7 spot in the UFC middleweight rankings and maintains an impressive record of 14 wins and 3 losses (14-3-0).
Paulo Costa Fighting Style
Paulo Costa predominantly uses a forward-moving, aggressive striking style during his fights. Thanks to his background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Paulo Costa possesses strong wrestling skills, making him a formidable wrestler in addition to his striking prowess. His takedown defense stands at an impressive 79%, showcasing his ability to fend off opponents' attempts to take him down to the mat.
Also Read: How many times has Paulo Costa lost?
Was Paulo Costa a bodybuilder?
According to Paulo Costa’s friends and family, while Costa never pursued professional bodybuilding, he did dedicate a period of his teenage years to the sport. However, he shifted his focus back to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training before turning 16.
Paulo Costa's muscular physique is widely known as one of the best in the UFC. This, however, has led to increased scrutiny from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) due to concerns about potential doping violations.
FAQs On Paulo Costa fighting style
A. Paulo Costa is a striker with a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
A. Paulo Costa is allegedly not on steroids, as he is often tested and cleared to compete by the USADA.
A. Paulo Costa is from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
A. Costa weighs in at 185 lbs or 84 kg as he competes in the middleweight division of the UFC.
A. Paulo Costa is 6 feet or 183 cm tall.
