WATCH: From Joe Rogan to ring girls, Paulo Costa keeps handshake tradition alive at UFC 298 weigh-ins

Paulo Costa wows with his welcoming and uplifting disposition, shaking hands on way to the weigh-ins.

WATCH: From Joe Rogan to ring girls, Paulo Costa keeps handshake tradition alive at UFC 298 weigh-ins

Paulo Costa shows great sportsmanship with his meet-and-greet before hitting the scales (Source: Instagram/UFC.go.com)

The UFC is back for its second pay-per-view event of the 2024 season. The star-studded UFC 298 card takes place in just a few hours, at Honda Center, Anaheim, Calif. The ceremonial weigh-ins took place at the nearby UFC host hotel in Irvine, Calif. Consequently, middleweight Paulo Costa was present. The UFC 185lber faces former middleweight champ, Robert Whittaker.

With numerous fight pull-outs under his belt, Costa lacked much-needed traction in this build-up. However, the latest weigh-in footage shows him going up a flight of stairs and shaking hands with all and sundry. Starting from color commentator, Joe Rogan to a plethora of management and ring-girls lined up.

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Costa last pulled out of UFC 294, against Chechen peer Khamzat Chimaev. Despite a serious case of staph infection, he had aspired to huddle. But a 3rd consecutive surgery took him out of the game. Hence, his UFC 298 affair against Whittaker had instilled almost zero hope in fight fans. Time and again, the self-proclaimed meme God’s internet presence was barbed down by fans.

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However, things are bound to change as the fighter is all geared up for UFC 298. Addressing ‘Gourmet Chechen’ Chimaev, he also recently brushed off ‘Borz’ as a prospective opponent, at UFC 298’s pre-fight presser. Thus fuelling their rivalry moreover. Only time will tell if Costa can bank on his newly gained momentum.

UFC 298 weigh-in results

Mere hours removed from the UFC 298 card, MMA coverage giants like MacLife/MMA Junkie were on site. Documenting Friday’s official UFC 298 fighter weigh-ins, a lot transpired.

Paulo Costa, UFC 298 weigh-ins
Paulo Costa, UFC 298 weigh-ins (Source: Twitter)

Minutes before the weigh-in, promotion officials informed MMA Junkie and other reporters that the Marcos Rogerio de Lima–Justin Tafa heavyweight prelim bout was off, due to Tafa’s sudden injury. However, Junior Tafa replaced his brother soon enough, in what has to be considerably the coolest replacement in weigh-in history.

A deal was struck right at the weigh-in, cueing in the brother. Other than that, all other fighters successfully weighed in.

On the main card (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET):

  • Alexander Volkanovski (144.5 lbs) faces. Ilia Topuria (144.5 lbs) – for the featherweight title gold.
  • Paulo Costa (185.5 lbs) faces. Robert Whittaker (185.5 lbs) in the co-mains.
  • Ian Machado Garry (170.5 lbs) vs. Geoff Neal (170.5 lbs) went without a glitch.
  • Henry Cejudo (135 lbs) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (135 lbs) saw some kinetic yet funny enough banters.
  • Anthony Hernandez (185.5 lbs) vs. Roman Kopylov (185 lbs) also went smoothly.
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Here’s how the 2nd prelim card (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET) weighed in –

  • Rinya Nakamura (135.5 lbs) vs. Carlos Vera (135.5 lbs) went within the window; as did the rest.
  • Zhang Mingyang (204.5 lbs) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (205.5 lbs).
  • Marcos Rogerio de Lima (261lbs) vs. Junior Tafa (249lbs).

And the 1st prelim card (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET) –

  • Danny Barlow (171lbs) vs. Josh Quinlan (169lbs).
  • Oban Elliott (170.5 lbs) vs. Val Woodburn (169.5 lbs).
  • Andrea Lee (125.5 lbs) vs. Miranda Maverick (126 lbs).

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