I’ll do anything for points, it’s not my job pic.twitter.com/iqYQq3oXLj
— Paulo Costa (Borrachinha) (@BorrachinhaMMA)
June 2, 2024
Following his split decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 302, Paulo Costa vowed to aim for finishes in future fights.
Strickland displayed defensive striking drills to neutralize Costa’s power in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 302. Despite Strickland completely dominating Costa through five rounds, the former champion only managed to win by split decision, with referee Dave Tirelli oddly scoring the bout in the Brazilian’s favor.
Tirelli, who inexplicably had another bout lined up against Mitch Raposo later that evening, received harsh criticism from UFC CEO Dana White during the post-fight press conference. White also noted that Costa did not display his usual action, while commentator Joe Rogan opined that “Borrachinha” has not been the same since losing his title to Israel Adesanya in 2020. Costa agreed with White and Rogan and vowed to get his finishing act back.
“I’m just here to say, yes, Sean won. I didn’t perform very well, and I don’t think he did either,” Costa said in the X video. “But at least he did enough to win, right? This is a double [losses] Three fights in a row, three former champions: Luke Rockhold; [Robert] Whittaker and Shawn. 1 win, 2 losses. But [you] I agree with Dana [White] That’s what Joe Rogan and I will do. We’ll bring Paulo back to life, take his head off, and finish the fight.”
Costa typically plays his best when he’s moving forward, but the Brazilian was constantly on the back foot against Strickland’s forward pressure. Costa also took a somewhat cautious approach, perhaps wary of exhausting himself in a five-round bout. But Costa has vowed never to let a fight go to a decision in the future. Costa is also confident in winning the first round, which the judges gave a perfect score of 100. Chris Lee replaced Strickland in scoring.
“I’m not a counter person,” he said. “I [moving]
Move forward [trying] Finish [looking] I came here to take his head off. Shawn was very difficult to fight, a totally different type of fighter. It was difficult. He was tutoring me, pushing me, keeping me at a distance. Because he knows the power I have. And I have the power. So I need to use it. And I do that. I don’t care about points, I don’t care about saving energy or anything like that. I’m coming to take his head off. That’s who I am…I don’t care about points, I’m sick of it. Even in the first round, I was 100% sure I won. Some people thought I lost, but they’re shit. I’m coming to take his head off, that’s it.
