Paulo Costa, a prominent UFC middleweight fighter, is scheduled to compete against Roman Kopylov on July 19 at UFC 318 after several previous fight cancellations. The bout represents an important moment as Costa’s UFC career, marked by frequent withdrawals and delays, faces mounting scrutiny and doubts about his consistency and seriousness in the sport.
Persistent Fight Cancellations Cast Doubt on Paulo Costa’s UFC Trajectory
Despite being a UFC athlete for over eight years, Paulo Costa has appeared in the Octagon only ten times, a surprisingly low number for someone widely recognized and promoted. His unpredictable behavior, combined with repeated fight withdrawals, has frustrated fans and critics alike, leading to questions about his dedication. The upcoming UFC 318 event follows the rescheduling of his originally planned UFC 317 fight with Roman Kopylov, which Costa withdrew from due to an undisclosed illness.
MMA commentators Michael Bisping, Adam Catterall, and Nick Peet expressed sharp criticism of Costa’s recent record and readiness. Adam Catterall remarked,
He’s becoming a bit of a comic book character. Is he that, or is he a serious contender? Because we’re getting missed weight scenarios, we’re getting all sorts of bits and bats on social media, but we’re not getting the real guy turning up inside the Octagon.
—Adam Catterall, MMA Analyst
Nick Peet reflected on Costa’s explosive entry into the UFC ranks back in 2017, when he won five straight fights and earned a title shot against Israel Adesanya. Peet noted the sharp decline that followed, bluntly stating,
Since then, it’s all gone wrong.
—Nick Peet, MMA Analyst
Currently ranked No. 12 in the middleweight division, Costa has gone 1–4 in his last five bouts, including a close split decision loss to Sean Strickland. Alongside these losses, the main concern remains his record of eight canceled fights, four of which were due to injury or other complications. While injuries are part of any combat sports career, Costa’s repeated pullouts have fueled speculation about his reliability and future prospects within the UFC.
Implications of Costa’s Struggles on His Reputation Within MMA
The repeated fight cancellations and inconsistent performances have branded Paulo Costa with an unfavorable label among fans and analysts—the ‘pullout artist.’ This reputation threatens to overshadow his earlier successes and damages his standing as a credible middleweight contender. MMA observers suggest that unless Costa can demonstrate consistency and follow through in upcoming fights, his future in the organization may become precarious.
As the combat sports community watches closely, the pressure on Costa to reverse this narrative has intensified. Each missed opportunity not only affects his rankings but also impacts how the UFC and fans perceive his overall commitment and durability as a fighter.
Carlos Costa Voices Confidence Ahead of Paulo’s UFC 318 Return
Paulo Costa’s coach and brother, Carlos “Borracha” Costa, has expressed a strong belief that his brother is ready to overcome these setbacks and return to winning form. Carlos explained that a severe flu infection was responsible for the withdrawal from UFC 317, giving context to the previous cancellation. He emphasized that Paulo has had adequate recovery time to prepare physically and mentally for the upcoming match.
Speaking to Sherdog.com, Carlos said,
That bad sequence just motivated my brother to give his very best in this camp, Kopylov is definitely a tough opponent, but I don’t see that fight going until the end of the third round.
—Carlos Costa, Coach and Brother
He also acknowledged the UFC’s decision to allow Paulo sufficient time to fully recover, stating,
The UFC understood and gave him that time to recover to reach the fight in his very best physical and technical conditions…This week we are doing the final adjustments, and we will travel to New Orleans on Sunday.
—Carlos Costa, Coach and Brother
These remarks reflect a determination within Costa’s camp to shed the negative patterns afflicting his career and return to the Octagon with renewed focus and readiness.
The Future Outlook: Can Paulo Costa Restore His Standing in the UFC?
Paulo Costa’s upcoming bout against Roman Kopylov carries significant weight, not just in terms of rankings but also in battling the stigma attached to his career’s recent chapters. A victory at UFC 318 would be pivotal in reviving his reputation and proving that he can maintain consistency at the elite level of mixed martial arts competition.
Furthermore, success in this fight could open doors for Costa to climb back into serious title contention within the competitive middleweight division. However, failure to deliver a strong performance or additional cancellations could deepen doubts about his long-term viability as a top contender.
As fans and experts alike await UFC 318, the mixed martial arts world watches to see if Paulo Costa can finally dispel the “pullout artist” label and recapture the promising trajectory he exhibited early in his career. This contest may set the tone for his legacy and potential future in the sport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Paulo Costa ranked?
A. Paulo Henrique Costa, born on April 21, 1991, is a mixed martial artist from Brazil.
He fights in the Middleweight class in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
As of June 10, 2025, he is ranked 13th in the UFC middleweight rankings.
Q. What rank is Paulo Costa?
A. As of June 10, 2025, he holds the 13th spot in the UFC’s middleweight rankings.