How many times has Paulo Costa lost?

Paulo ‘Borrachinha’ Costa, born April 21, 1991, is a 33-year-old Brazilian professional MMA fighter. He competes in the Middleweight division (185 lbs) of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is currently ranked #7 in the division.

Costa was raised in Contagem, Brazil, predominantly by his mother. His father, Carlos Roberto, worked multiple odd jobs, and his mother, Maria Augusta, supported him financially. Paulo’s older brother, Carlos Costa, was a former MMA fighter who later became one of his coaches. To avoid altercations in the street, Costa took up Muay Thai at the age of 9, and later, he delved deeper into the world of jiu-jitsu under his brother’s guidance. After his father’s passing, Paulo returned to jiu-jitsu and began competing.

In addition to his combat sports pursuits, Costa worked in real estate and taught Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel as an IT teacher to earn some income to take care of his family. His professional MMA journey kickstarted in Brazil in February 2012, where he built an undefeated record of 8-0 with 7 knockouts and 1 submission. He then competed in The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3, where he showcased his skills well enough to land him a UFC contract.

Costa's first walk to the UFC octagon was in March 2017, resulting in a TKO victory against Garreth McLellan and earning him the Performance of the Night award. As of May 2024, he maintains an impressive record of 14 wins and 3 losses (14-3-0).

Paulo Costa Losses

Paulo Costa has faced defeat in only three matches throughout his professional MMA career, losing to Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, and Marvin Vettori.

Paulo Costa vs. Israel Adesanya

Paulo Costa faced Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 253 on September 27, 2020. Both the fighters were undefeated at the time and harbored mutual animosity, but it turned out to be heavily one-sided. With his calculated approach, Adesanya systematically targeted Costa's lead leg with kicks, leaving visible marks early on.

Costa, seeming hesitant and passive, failed to engage effectively. Adesanya capitalized on this in the second round, transitioning from leg kicks to a combination of head kicks and punches, overwhelming Costa, who struggled to respond. The referee intervened, and Adesanya was declared the winner via TKO in the second round.

Paulo Costa vs. Marvin Vettori

At UFC Fight Night 196, Marvin Vettori defeated Paulo Costa via unanimous decision in the main event. Costa started strong with heavy kicks, but Vettori's volume and movement took control. Despite Costa's power shots, Vettori maintained pressure and scored takedowns. Costa's eye poke led to a point deduction. Vettori's superior cardio and striking secured the win.

Paulo Costa vs. Robert Whittaker

In the co-main event at UFC 298, Australian middleweight contender Robert Whittaker faced off against Paulo Costa. The fight took place at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Whittaker, coming off a knockout loss to Dricus du Plessis, found himself at a career crossroads. Despite early adversity, he showcased his experience and striking skills. Both fighters exchanged calculated blows, with Costa landing slick head kicks and Whittaker countering effectively. Whittaker’s calf kicks were a constant weapon. Ultimately, Whittaker secured a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), rebounding from his previous defeat.

Also Read: What martial arts does Paulo Costa do?

How many fights has Costa missed?

So far in his UFC career, Paulo Costa has missed 6 booked fights, including matchups against Robert Whittaker, Khamzat Chimaev, and Jared Cannonier. Costa's latest withdrawal occurred at UFC 294, where he pulled out of a fight against Khamzat Chimaev after undergoing elbow surgery.

Related: What is Paulo Costa's UFC record?