Paulo ‘The Eraser’ Costa started his UFC middleweight career in 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum with a knockout win on Garreth McLellan.
Likewise, within three years, Costa got a shot at the middleweight title against Israel Adesanya on September 27, 2022, at UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa. And it was ‘The Eraser’s first loss in his MMA professional career (excluding exhibition bouts).
Costa moved up a weight class from middleweight to light heavyweight in 2021 at UFC Fight Night Costa vs. Vettori on October 23, 2021, and lost the bout in a unanimous decision. Moreover, Costa was deducted 1 point for poking his opponent’s eye in the second round.
Nevertheless, Paulo Costa, in his last fight, which was his return fight to middleweight, won over Luke Rockhold at UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 on August 20, 2022.
Paulo Costa Next Fight - Opponent, Date & Location
Paulo Costa is set to face Khamzat Chimaev in his next fight at UFC 294 on October 21, 2023, at the Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE. In the main event, reigning lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev is set to take on Number #1 Lightweight contender Charles Oliveira. Rest of the fight card is yet to be announced.
This will be Khamzat Chimaev's first official fight in the Middleweight division. A win over Costa might propel him towards a title shot.
Likewise, if Paulo Costa can beat Chimaev, it might be his pathway to a shot at the title again.
Paulo Costa's Record so far
| 16 Matches | 14 Wins | 2 Losses |
| Knockout | 11 | 1 |
| Submission | 1 | 0 |
| Decision | 2 | 1 |
Also Read: How many times has Paulo Costa lost?
