Paulo Costa in uncommon kind forward of Sean Strickland struggle

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – It’s not typically Paulo Costa will get a second struggle 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.

A large 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.

Total, Costa appeared at peace with no accidents, no conflicts with the UFC, and no concern along with his opponent or the date. After years of intermittent withdrawals, accidents, contract points, and extra, Costa has lastly discovered consistency.

“After (my final) struggle, 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 maintain the method, not lose all of the work I did for that struggle and simply maintain the progress, maintain the work? So we did that and we had an important match. First, it was towards Cannonier after which it modified for Strickland. So why not? I’m feeling good, in form and we’ve acquired this nice alternative.”

Costa stated the concept to struggle 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 an important assembly with UFC. We simply talked earlier than,” Costa stated. “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 struggle. 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 absolute best for everyone. In my view, for UFC’s half. For followers. I’m glad. I feel we’re going to ship an enormous struggle 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 struggle faraway from a title struggle 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 feel as soon as he already beat (Israel) Adesanya, if Adesanya beat Dricus (Du Plessis), I feel 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 effectively, and towards Chimaev. Something can occur. Let’s see Saturday. I feel who delivers higher goes to step in entrance. It relies upon how the struggle goes to be. If I knock out him in nice model Saturday. If the struggle in Saudi Arabia is just not so good, we may be in entrance. It is determined by how we’re going to carry out.””

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 302.