JERSEY CITY, N.J. – It’s not typically Paulo Costa will get a second combat week in 4 months, as is the case presently within the days main as much as UFC 302.
For the second straight camp reserving, there have been no fight-damning points. Costa (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) strolled into his pre-fight information convention modern, and fashionably late.
An enormous jug of secret juice was in his hand, a yellow variation with chunks of some unknown fruit floating in it. “STRONG & JACKED” was labeled in daring sharpie marker on the facet of the vessel.
General, Costa appeared at peace with no accidents, no conflicts with the UFC, and no concern together with his opponent or the date. After years of intermittent withdrawals, accidents, contract points, and extra, Costa has lastly discovered consistency.
“After (my final) combat, I used to be feeling good with no accidents. I didn’t damage, so why not?” Costa informed MMA Junkie and different reporters. “Why not preserve the method, not lose all of the work I did for that combat and simply preserve the progress, preserve the work? So we did that and we had a fantastic match. First, it was towards Cannonier after which it modified for Strickland. So why not? I’m feeling good, in form and we’ve obtained this nice alternative.”
Costa mentioned the concept to combat Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) in a five-round co-main occasion was not his thought, however he accepted it. He additionally indicated there have been no hiccups on the enterprise facet of issues, regardless of a publish from Strickland days out from the occasion that claimed Costa hadn’t signed his bout settlement but.
“I had a fantastic assembly with UFC. We simply talked earlier than,” Costa mentioned. “We didn’t have any form of points to signal. Sean is aware of that. He is aware of. I’ll say once more, he desires to make some noise and promote combat. I’m glad for that. I’m glad for that. I simply need to point out me, Tainara, my supervisor, and the UFC, we’re working very shut and really collectively to make this enterprise the very best for everyone. Individually, for UFC’s half. For followers. I’m glad. I believe we’re going to ship an enormous combat and an enormous leisure for everybody – me and Sean, Saturday.”
Maybe it’s what’s at stake that has Costa radiating pristine kind. Strickland is one combat faraway from a title combat and will re-insert himself into the title image with a win.
Though Robert Whittaker defeated him in February, Costa thinks a round-robin of losses may make it a contest of who impresses essentially the most. It’s a four-man race as Costa sees it, between himself, Strickland, Whittaker and Whittaker’s subsequent opponent Khamzat Chimaev.
“I believe as soon as he already beat (Israel) Adesanya, if Adesanya beat Dricus (Du Plessis), I believe and if Sean beats me, he’s going to be the following. However let’s see. You by no means know. I’ve a beef with Adesanya, as properly, and towards Chimaev. Something can occur. Let’s see Saturday. I believe who delivers higher goes to step in entrance. It relies upon how the combat goes to be. If I knock out him in nice type Saturday. If the combat in Saudi Arabia just isn’t so good, we could be in entrance. It is determined by how we’re going to carry out.””
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