From Alexander Volkanovski finally losing his iron grip over the featherweight gold to Henry Cejudo being on the receiving end of a one-sided Beatdown, UFC 298 wasn’t the best night for everyone involved. But there was one fighter who, despite not getting his hand raised inside the octagon, seems to have sealed the deal. For anybody who hasn’t guessed it yet, it’s none other than ‘Borrachinha,’ Paulo Costa.
After a long time and several pullouts later, Costa finally showed up last weekend. But the Brazilian made sure to compensate for his absence with a stellar performance against Robert Whittaker. And even though he failed to secure a win, ‘Eraser’ seems to have secured the approval of the MMA community, including Dana White, all thanks to the sheer durability that he put on display. So what’s next for him in the UFC? Let’s take a look at some possibilities.
What is Next for Paulo Costa Following UFC 298?
Previously scheduled for UFC 294, Costa vs. Chimaev was a matchup that got some serious attention. But all this hype went to waste when Costa pulled out just days before the encounter. As expected, fans didn’t take too kindly to this, and the Brazilian was the target of some serious trolling. Despite not showing up and winning, things weren’t too good for Khamzat Chimaev, either.
The fighter failed to finish former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who stepped in as a last-minute replacement.Given it was Usman’s 185 lb debut, and that too on short notice, fans were expecting nothing short of a finish from ‘Borz.’ But on the contrary, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ didn’t just manage to survive, but gave serious competition to the Chechen.
However, despite the history, it seems like a perfect time to pit the middleweights against each other. While both men are known for their strength, Chimaev prefers to take things to the ground, while Costa loves a standup battle. Thus, making this an interesting matchup. Both men are fan favorites and have quite a bit of bad blood, so it doesn’t seem the company will have a problem either.
Grudge Match With Marvin Vetorri?
In his last four fights, Paulo Costa lost all but one of his fights. This means there are some ample opportunities for the UFC to pit him in a grudge match with someone he has already shared the ring with. However, this raises the question of who among the three rivals is the most suitable candidate for the role. The first man to beat Costa Israel Adsesanya, seems like an unlikely deal. The last time the two men met, things were one-sided in favor of Adesanya.
And given that the former champion has just lost his title, it seems like the Kiwi is more likely to chase the middleweight gold. On the other hand, the Brazilian’s latest opponent, Robert Whittaker, may not have completely dominated him. But the Aussie is currently ranked third in the division, just below the two former champions. For anybody wondering, Costa is currently ranked sixth, once again rendering the scenario an unlikely one.
This leaves Marvin Vettori as the most suitable contender, as both of them are going through a similar phase. Just like Costa, Vettori too is struggling to maintain a winning streak, losing three of his last five fights. Both men are also ranked successively, adding another great reason for the matchup. The last time the two men met, both of them landed bombs. Thus, making this fight something to look forward to.
A New Challenge for UFC Gold
There are certain phases in a fighter’s career when taking risks turns into a need. It may be that time in Costa’s career. According to Dana White, the fighter isn’t out of the title picture yet. But given his rank, a shot at the title seems unlikely for now. So what can the Brazilian do to once again get a chance to get the middleweight strap around him? Back in 2019, when Costa became the first man to call out Yoel Romero, UFC rewarded him with a title challenge.
But this once again, begs teh question of who is a challenge for him? An experienced veteran like Jared Cannonier? A tough matchup with a submission artist like Paul Craig? Facing an up-and-coming undefeated prospect like Bo Nickal? All these scenarios make sense and can give Costa’s career a much-needed push that it requires boosting, something which is necessary for taking home the championship belt.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
