Paulo Costa Borrachinha

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Fighter bio

Paulo Costa – General Profile

Paulo Henrique Costa, nicknamed "Borrachinha" and "The Eraser," is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's middleweight division. Born on April 21, 1991, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Costa is renowned for his aggressive fighting style and powerful striking abilities. As of March 18, 2025, he is ranked #12 in the UFC middleweight rankings.

MMA Career

Costa began his professional MMA career in 2012, quickly amassing an undefeated record that led to his signing with the UFC. He made his promotional debut on March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 106, securing a first-round TKO victory over Garreth McLellan. Costa has since achieved notable wins against fighters like Johny Hendricks, Uriah Hall, and Yoel Romero. His bout against Romero at UFC 241 was awarded Fight of the Night honors. Costa challenged Israel Adesanya for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 253 on September 27, 2020, but suffered his first professional loss via second-round TKO.

Fighting Style

Known for his aggressive approach and formidable knockout power, Costa employs a pressure-heavy fighting style that overwhelms opponents. He utilizes a combination of boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques, often seeking to finish fights with strikes. Costa's physical strength and relentless pace make him a challenging matchup in the middleweight division.

Recent Developments

In his recent fights, Costa faced Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 on February 17, 2024, losing via unanimous decision. He then competed against Sean Strickland at UFC 302 on June 1, 2024, where he was defeated by split decision. These bouts have showcased Costa's resilience and determination to remain a top contender in the division.

Personal Life

Outside the octagon, Costa is known for his disciplined training regimen and charismatic personality. He trains out of the Borracha Team and continues to be a prominent figure in Brazilian mixed martial arts.