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UFC 308 takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
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Can't take initiative in loss
Costa lost to Sean Strickland via split decision (49-46, 45-50, 46-49) at UFC 302 on Saturday in Newark.
ANALYSIS
Don't let that first scorecard fool you. While Costa fought well in spurts, Strickland is the rightful winner of this fight. The Brazilian has been spotty in terms of both cage time and performance in recent years, but his athleticism, power and ability to come back stronger after an initial fade make him live to beat almost anyone in the division. The main issue seems to be that Costa doesn't feel as comfortable throwing himself into the fire anymore, which was a big part of his success when he first entered the UFC. Any version of Costa is capable of a good scrap, but he needs to get back to that imposing force if he wants to forge ahead in the middleweight division. After beginning his career with 13 consecutive wins, Costa has now lost four of his last five fights in professional MMA.
Don't let that first scorecard fool you. While Costa fought well in spurts, Strickland is the rightful winner of this fight. The Brazilian has been spotty in terms of both cage time and performance in recent years, but his athleticism, power and ability to come back stronger after an initial fade make him live to beat almost anyone in the division. The main issue seems to be that Costa doesn't feel as comfortable throwing himself into the fire anymore, which was a big part of his success when he first entered the UFC. Any version of Costa is capable of a good scrap, but he needs to get back to that imposing force if he wants to forge ahead in the middleweight division. After beginning his career with 13 consecutive wins, Costa has now lost four of his last five fights in professional MMA.
Strickland co-main scheduled
Costa is scheduled to compete against Sean Strickland in a five-round middleweight fight at UFC 302 in Newark on June 1, per Mike Bohn of MMAJunkie.com.
ANALYSIS
With one fight, Costa has an opportunity to establish himself as the top contender for UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis. The 31-year-old Brazilian will take on DDP's last opponent, trying to earn himself another shot at middleweight gold. Costa putting up a solid effort against Robert Whittaker could mean that putting forth an elevated output against Strickland is not out of the realm of possibility.
With one fight, Costa has an opportunity to establish himself as the top contender for UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis. The 31-year-old Brazilian will take on DDP's last opponent, trying to earn himself another shot at middleweight gold. Costa putting up a solid effort against Robert Whittaker could mean that putting forth an elevated output against Strickland is not out of the realm of possibility.
Shows well in co-main defeat
Costa lost to Robert Whittaker via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 27-30) at UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim.
ANALYSIS
Fighting for the first time since August 2022 and entering as a +185 underdog, Costa put forth one heck of a showing. He looked healthy and effective, and that alone is a step in the right direction. Costa was responsible for the biggest moment of the fight, bashing Whittaker with a head kick late in Round 1. Rob was in all sorts of trouble, and Paulo may have very well gotten the stoppage if there were even a few more seconds left on the clock. Costa faded some in Round 2 but roared back for a solid Round 3, with Whittaker gaining an extremely slight edge. It's not easy to look past the defeat considering the Brazilian has just a single win dating back to August 2019, but this was a highly encouraging effort from Costa. His next step is to try and step in the Octagon a bit more frequently.
Fighting for the first time since August 2022 and entering as a +185 underdog, Costa put forth one heck of a showing. He looked healthy and effective, and that alone is a step in the right direction. Costa was responsible for the biggest moment of the fight, bashing Whittaker with a head kick late in Round 1. Rob was in all sorts of trouble, and Paulo may have very well gotten the stoppage if there were even a few more seconds left on the clock. Costa faded some in Round 2 but roared back for a solid Round 3, with Whittaker gaining an extremely slight edge. It's not easy to look past the defeat considering the Brazilian has just a single win dating back to August 2019, but this was a highly encouraging effort from Costa. His next step is to try and step in the Octagon a bit more frequently.
Draws Whittaker at UFC 298
Costa is scheduled to face Robert Whittaker in a middleweight bout at UFC 298 in Anaheim on Feb. 17, Aaron Bronsteter of TSN.ca reports.
ANALYSIS
Costa had previously been scheduled to face Robert Whittaker at UFC 284 this past February, but the bout was ultimately nixed. The 32-year-old Costa last fought in August 2022, when he scored an unanimous decision win over Luke Rockhold at UFC 278. He then had both of his last two scheduled fights cancelled, as Costa was forced to withdraw from a matchup with Khamzat Chimaev on Oct. 21 at UFC 294 after requiring surgery to treat an infected bursa in his right elbow. Costa has since made a full recovery and will put his 14-2-0 MMA record on the line against Whittaker.
Costa had previously been scheduled to face Robert Whittaker at UFC 284 this past February, but the bout was ultimately nixed. The 32-year-old Costa last fought in August 2022, when he scored an unanimous decision win over Luke Rockhold at UFC 278. He then had both of his last two scheduled fights cancelled, as Costa was forced to withdraw from a matchup with Khamzat Chimaev on Oct. 21 at UFC 294 after requiring surgery to treat an infected bursa in his right elbow. Costa has since made a full recovery and will put his 14-2-0 MMA record on the line against Whittaker.
Withdraws from Chimaev fight
Costa will not fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 on Oct. 21, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
According to Costa himself, he has a staph infection in his right elbow. He reportedly suffered the infection about two months ago, and it flared up in Abu Dhabi. Costa defeating Chimaev would have boosted the Brazilian middleweight's chances for a championship fight. Instead, Costa may have to sit out until 2024 to fight again.
According to Costa himself, he has a staph infection in his right elbow. He reportedly suffered the infection about two months ago, and it flared up in Abu Dhabi. Costa defeating Chimaev would have boosted the Brazilian middleweight's chances for a championship fight. Instead, Costa may have to sit out until 2024 to fight again.