WATCH: UFC announcer Bruce Buffer congratulates a VICTORIOUS Paulo Costa behind the scenes at UFC 278
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Paulo Costa (L), Bruce Buffer (R)
Paulo Costa has not had the easiest of runs in the UFC recently. From weight issues to the anxiety of contract expiry, Costa has been through a lot since defeating Yoel Romero in 2019.
The fight between “Borrachinha” and Yoel Romero back in 2019 was set up by the UFC primarily to enthrall the masses – that is, to give fight fans what they enjoy the most, an all-out slug-fest. The fight started in typical fashion, with both of them rushing into each other head-on, much like gladiators in the Roman Colosseum. Within seconds, Costa and Romero had both dropped each other, and quickly gotten back up again. Despite it being a close affair, all three judges scored it 29-28 it to Costa.
Costa’s next opponent was Israel Adesanya, who he was going to fight for the title. One only needs to search the two famous names on YouTube to see how that went. Post the frankly humiliating ordeal, Costa struggled to make weight in his next fight against Marvin Vettori, to whom he lost as well. Things looked down in the dumps for Costa, who had lost the UFC and the fans’ respect for his lackadaisical attitude towards the fight.
“Paulo! It’s a W!” Bruce Buffer lauds a content Paulo Costa backstage; Could this be Costa’s resurgence in the division?
After defeating Luke Rockhold at UFC 278, Costa’s stakes seem to have risen again in the division. Although, despite winning, Costa must surrender all sheen in the immediate aftermath to an emotional Rockhold who hung up his gloves inside the octagon; Costa’s fortunes do not look too bad.
Recognising the ever-so-tough ordeal it is to face former champion Luke Rockhold, UFC’s trusted announcer Bruce Buffer met with Paulo Costa backstage to congratulate him on his win. In a short exchange, Buffer can be heard saying to Costa, “Paulo, it’s a W, okay? It’s a win.” To this Costa tells Buffer in a giddy tone that “They’re saying it’s Fight of the Night!” After a performance like that, Costa surely deserved to win his bonus cheque for what was definitely “Fight of the Night”.
This footage has been released by the UFC in their recurring series called “The Thrill and the Agony” which puts emphasis on footage that highlights both the winning party and the opposition’s emotions and reactions after the fight; additionally, these videos also contain some incredible fight footage and backstage moments that are usually not aired on the live broadcast.
The bout against Rockhold was a must-win for Paulo if he intended to stay competitive in the division. Marvin Vettori and Robert Whittaker clash against each other soon, in Paris; Costa can be expected to take on either of them next year in what will most definitely be the fight for the No.1 Contender. Alternatively, he could match up against the most recent title contender, Jared Cannonier. Racking up the wins will ensure him getting another crack at champion Israel Adesanya, or if the fortunes of the division change, Alex Pereira.
Whatever the case, Costa looks fired up and in great spirits again. What will rejuvenate him the most right now, is an intense ice cream-eating competition against Paddy Pimblett. In all seriousness, Costa can put his recent struggles behind him and focus on a changing Middleweight division.
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Udayan Mukherjee
(382 Articles Published)