Paulo Costa is a very intriguing but entertaining personality and is loved or hated by fans. He was going to compete at UFC 294 against Khamzat Chimaev, but the Brazilian fighter had to pull out due to an elbow injury. Many people were disappointed with the fight being called off and got an exciting clash between Chimaev and Kamaru Usman.
Paulo Costa on The Brawl
Everybody loves it when the camera pans to the crowd to see all the famous faces at that night’s event. During the UFC 294 broadcast, when the camera was on Costa, there was an array of boos, but we didn’t see the fight that Costa had with the crowd. Speaking to the MMA Hour, the Brazilian fighter talked about the incident.
“I don’t know exactly what these guys were doing over there, but when I get in the arena, I was in the hallway taking pictures with the fans, [people] asked for a photo and selfies,” Costa said. “Almost in the corner, to go to my seat, a guy called me, and when I came to him, he [shot the bird] in my face. So, I looked to him, and the security is pushing me, like, ‘Come on, Paulo. The next fight is coming. We need to clear the hallway for the next match.’ But I mocked his face. I mocked his face because I was pissed off. My will was to slap him directly, but I couldn’t, so I mocked his face.
Paulo Costa On The Fight
“I used the same hallway to go to the restroom and return to my seat. So I went to the bathroom and returned to look for him. I saw him, but he wasn’t in the first row anymore; he was in the third row, so it made me more furious because he came to the first row to shove his finger in my face. So disrespectful. [Laughs.] So I was like, I need to discipline this guy before I go back to watch the fights because my mind will stay on this guy. This guy is so audacious.
“So, I come back and saw him in the third row, and I say, ‘Brother, please, come here. I want to do something to you!’ He looked at me [with wide eyes], and then he started to come. But there are a couple of them, like a Chechen gang, I think. Maybe three or four, I don’t know. When he started to come down to me, somebody held him back, ‘Don’t go.’ Then I grabbed him, and when I grabbed him, another guy tried punching me. The security pulled me out, and then the guy I was trying to drag out jumped at me! Right in front of me. I don’t know what he had in mind, but it was not a good idea for him, because once he jumped, he landed in security and his head was right in front of me. So, even with my brand-new arm, I could land. [Laughs.]
“That’s it. More guys tried to jump me, but I don’t know these guys, and I don’t care.”
Costa’s Elbow
Then Costa went on to talk about how his elbow was doing.
“It’s getting better. Much better,” Paulo Costa said. “I saw doctors today. The progress is good. I’m happy and proud because I tested my hand Saturday in the arena. They are so proud of the service because I punched [someone]. They said, ‘Paulo, you did pretty well. You cannot exercise except beat some Chechen heads if you see them in front of you.’ But besides this, it is 100 per cent good. We’ll remove [the bandage] Thursday, so I’ll be free.”
All quotes via MMA Fighting
Costa is a very entertaining fighter, and it will be great to see him back in the Octagon.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
