Paulo Costa, a leading UFC middleweight contender, participated in an online UFC 318 Q&A, addressing fans’ inquiries ahead of his scheduled match against Roman Kopylov this weekend. During the session, Costa responded to a variety of questions, including some concerning sensitive and controversial topics from his career and those of other fighters.
Reflection on Past UFC Incident Involving Israel Adesanya
A fan referenced an uncomfortable episode that took place after Costa’s defeat at UFC 253 in September 2020, when Israel Adesanya made an inappropriate gesture while Costa was incapacitated on the mat. The fan asked Costa why he allowed the incident to happen, to which Costa pointed out that he did not consent to it, emphasizing his partial unconscious state during the event.
“Why’d you let this happen to you?”
Costa answered:
“I don’t.”
Paulo Costa’s Reaction to Conor McGregor’s Birthday Controversy
The conversation then turned to Conor McGregor’s recent scandal surrounding explicit images shared by rapper Azealia Banks on social media. Banks revealed messages allegedly from McGregor, including nude photos accompanied by a message joking about “Lifting Weights” and threats linked to the disclosure of these images. A fan asked Costa if he lifted weights like McGregor, prompting Costa to respond with dry humor.
“Do you also lift weights like Conor?”
Costa replied:
“I have tried a few years ago.”
The fan’s curiosity led to another direct question about whether Costa had seen McGregor’s explicit pictures, to which Costa firmly declined.
“Did you see Conor’s d*ck?”
“No, and I’m happy with that.”
Dismissal of Rising Threat from Reinier de Ridder
Reinier de Ridder, a former ONE FC champion, has quickly become a notable contender in the UFC middleweight division with three consecutive wins by finishes. Despite de Ridder’s rising reputation as a potential future title challenger, Costa showed clear indifference during the Q&A when asked about his thoughts on de Ridder.
“What are your thoughts on Reinier de Ridder?”
Costa simply responded:
“I dont know him.”
Implications for UFC 318 and Middleweight Division
Paulo Costa’s guarded and sometimes dismissive answers during the UFC 318 Q&A highlight his focus on upcoming competition and his detachment from ongoing controversies in the MMA world. His upcoming fight with Roman Kopylov will be a critical step toward re-establishing his position amongst the top middleweight contenders. Meanwhile, Costa’s refusal to acknowledge emerging threats like Reinier de Ridder signals a confident, if tense, stance as the division continues to evolve.