Paulo Costa
The Eraser
Brazil
Out
Injury Undisclosed
Est. Return 6/1/2026
Withdraws from UFC 326
Costa has withdrawn from his scheduled fight with Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326 on March 7, according to Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
For Costa to withdraw from a fight more than two months down the line suggests that the reasoning for his bout withdrawal, reason undisclosed, may be a significant one that costs him time. Costa, a former challenger for the UFC Middleweight Championship, won his last fight, via unanimous decision over Roman Kopylov in July.
For Costa to withdraw from a fight more than two months down the line suggests that the reasoning for his bout withdrawal, reason undisclosed, may be a significant one that costs him time. Costa, a former challenger for the UFC Middleweight Championship, won his last fight, via unanimous decision over Roman Kopylov in July.
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Booked against Ferreira
Costa will fight Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326 on March 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Costa emerged victorious over Roman Kopylov in July, marking the former's first UFC victory in nearly three full years. The 34-year-old middleweight will now attempt to make it two in a row by taking down Ferreira, who is three inches shorter than Costa but won all three of his fights in 2025.
Costa emerged victorious over Roman Kopylov in July, marking the former's first UFC victory in nearly three full years. The 34-year-old middleweight will now attempt to make it two in a row by taking down Ferreira, who is three inches shorter than Costa but won all three of his fights in 2025.
First win since August 2022
Costa defeated Roman Kopylov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC 318 on Saturday in New Orleans.
ANALYSIS
Costa won each of his first five UFC fights, including four via knockout. Then the competition level jumped considerably, and he struggled mightily, losing four of five since. He got back in the Octagon here for the first time in over 13 months and put forth his best performance in quite some time. He was aggressive, and his boxing looked crisp. He threw a ton of kicks to both the legs and body and had Kopylov biting on every fake he threw. The fight-ending power Costa displayed early in his run with the company appears to be gone, and that is going to limit his ceiling considerably at age 34, but the guy we saw tonight has plenty of gas left in the tank and is more than capable of winning his fair share of fights moving forward.
Costa won each of his first five UFC fights, including four via knockout. Then the competition level jumped considerably, and he struggled mightily, losing four of five since. He got back in the Octagon here for the first time in over 13 months and put forth his best performance in quite some time. He was aggressive, and his boxing looked crisp. He threw a ton of kicks to both the legs and body and had Kopylov biting on every fake he threw. The fight-ending power Costa displayed early in his run with the company appears to be gone, and that is going to limit his ceiling considerably at age 34, but the guy we saw tonight has plenty of gas left in the tank and is more than capable of winning his fair share of fights moving forward.
Moved to UFC 318
Costa's scheduled middleweight matchup against Roman Kopylov has been moved to UFC 318 on July 19, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The fight was originally scheduled for UFC 317 on June 28, and while reports Tuesday morning suggested it had been canceled, it is instead simply being pushed back. Costa, who has lost four of his last five fights, had been listed as roughly a (+210) betting underdog for the original fight.
The fight was originally scheduled for UFC 317 on June 28, and while reports Tuesday morning suggested it had been canceled, it is instead simply being pushed back. Costa, who has lost four of his last five fights, had been listed as roughly a (+210) betting underdog for the original fight.
Scheduled to face Kopylov
Costa will face Roman Kopylov at UFC 317 on June 28 in a middleweight bout, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Costa has been sidelined since mid-2024 due to an ankle/foot injury, but he's ready to return to the octagon and will do so against an opponent who has won six of his last seven fights. On the other hand, Costa has lost his past two bouts, against Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker.
Costa has been sidelined since mid-2024 due to an ankle/foot injury, but he's ready to return to the octagon and will do so against an opponent who has won six of his last seven fights. On the other hand, Costa has lost his past two bouts, against Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker.
Potential ankle/foot injury
Costa has been given an indefinite medical suspension from the New Jersey State Athletic Board due to a right ankle/foot injury, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Costa threw (and connected on) far more leg kicks than he absorbed in Saturday's loss, but all it takes is one to land wrong. He'll now need clearance from an orthopedist if he intends to fight again before late-2024 and even if that happens tomorrow, he'll still be on the sidelines for a mandatory 30 days.
Costa threw (and connected on) far more leg kicks than he absorbed in Saturday's loss, but all it takes is one to land wrong. He'll now need clearance from an orthopedist if he intends to fight again before late-2024 and even if that happens tomorrow, he'll still be on the sidelines for a mandatory 30 days.