Most UFC fans know Paulo Costa from his intense staredowns and the running “secret juice” jokes that followed him into the octagon. But behind the persona is a fighter with a 16-4-0 record, a move to light heavyweight, and a recent unanimous decision win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318.
Record: 16-4-0 ·
Height: 6’1″ ·
Weight: 205 lbs ·
Reach: 72″ ·
Age: 35 (born 21 April 1991)
Quick snapshot
- Record: 16-4-0 (UFC Stats)
- Height: 6’1″, Weight: 205 lbs, Reach: 72″ (UFC Stats)
- Born 21 April 1991 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil (Tapology (community fighter profile))
- Orthodox stance (UFC Stats)
- Marital status and spouse — not publicly confirmed
- Children — no public information
- Next opponent and date — no official announcement as of July 2025
- Exact UFC ranking — sources disagree (middleweight vs light heavyweight)
- Defeated Roman Kopylov by unanimous decision at UFC 318 on 19 July 2025 (UFC Stats)
- Planned to attend UFC 319 in Chicago to push for a Khamzat Chimaev fight (Bloody Elbow (MMA news outlet))
- No official fight booked as of late July 2025 (Next-Fight.com (fighter schedule tracker))
- Costa is chasing a grudge match with Khamzat Chimaev (Bloody Elbow)
Ten key metrics define Paulo Costa as a fighter — here’s the full rundown from official and secondary sources.
| Full Name | Paulo Henrique Costa |
| Nickname | Borrachinha (The Eraser) |
| Date of Birth | 21 April 1991 |
| Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Weight | 205 lbs (93 kg) |
| Reach | 72″ (183 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil |
| Team | Team Borracha |
| Record | 16 wins, 4 losses (16-4-0) |
What is Paulo Costa’s professional MMA record?
Costa’s official record stands at 16 wins and 4 losses, with 0 draws, according to UFC Stats (official fight database). Tapology (community fighter profile) independently confirms 16-4-0 (Tapology).
Notable victories and defeats
- Win via unanimous decision over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 (19 July 2025) — UFC Stats
- Losses to elite competition: Yoel Romero, Israel Adesanya, Marvin Vettori, and Luke Rockhold (all via decision or TKO)
- Costa has finished 13 of his 16 wins by KO/TKO or submission, though recent outings have gone to decision
Costa’s record shows a fighter who dominated early in his career but now faces a tougher level of competition at light heavyweight. His most recent win suggests he can still grind out decisions at the higher weight.
Costa remains a dangerous opponent in the light heavyweight division.
How tall is Paulo Costa and what are his physical stats?
- Height: 6’1″ (185 cm) — UFC Stats
- Weight: 205 lbs (93 kg) — UFC Stats
- Reach: 72″ (183 cm) — UFC Stats
Six physical specs define Costa’s frame and stance, with one pattern: he’s built like a light heavyweight but spent most of his career at middleweight.
| Attribute | Measurement |
| Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Weight | 205 lbs (93 kg) |
| Reach | 72″ (183 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Date of Birth | 21 April 1991 (age 35) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight |
The implication: Costa’s compact build at 6’1″ gives him a stocky frame that can generate knockout power, but he’s often shorter than typical light heavyweights, forcing him to close distance.
Who is Paulo Costa fighting next?
As of late July 2025, no official next fight has been announced for Costa. Next-Fight.com (fighter schedule tracker) lists no upcoming bookings. However, Costa has made his intentions clear.
Latest fight announcements
- Costa defeated Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 on 19 July 2025 — UFC Stats
- The Kopylov bout was originally set for UFC 317 (28 June) but shifted to UFC 318 — MMA Junkie (UFC news authority)
- After UFC 318, Costa said he would travel to Chicago for UFC 319 to campaign for a fight with Khamzat Chimaev — Bloody Elbow
If Costa successfully lobbies for Chimaev, the UFC matchmakers face a high-stakes grudge match that could headline a pay-per-view. But if no dance partner emerges, Costa may need to wait until early 2026.
The catch: without a signed bout agreement, Costa’s next appearance remains speculative, and a planned fight with Sharabutdin Magomedov fell through in November 2025 due to Magomedov’s nose surgery (Wikipedia (user-contributed fighter biography)).
What is Paulo Costa’s ranking in the UFC?
Ranking data for Costa is currently fragmented. Next-Fight.com claims Costa is ranked #7 in the official UFC light heavyweight rankings as of May 2025, rising from #14 in April. Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated (MMA coverage arm) reported in late June 2025 that Costa was the #13-ranked middleweight, suggesting he was still listed in the 185-pound rankings at the time.
Current ranking in Light Heavyweight
- Next-Fight.com lists Costa as #7 in the UFC’s official light heavyweight rankings — Next-Fight.com
- No mention of Costa in the official UFC top-15 light heavyweight list on the UFC website as of July 2025
Why this matters: the discrepancy between Next-Fight.com’s #7 claim and the official UFC site’s omission suggests either a lag in ranking updates or an unofficial ranking source. For fans tracking Costa’s contention path, the lack of a clear number makes it harder to gauge how close he is to a title shot.
Is Paulo Costa married?
Costa keeps his personal life extremely private. As of July 2025, no credible source confirms a spouse or children. Tapology and UFC Stats list no marital information in their profiles. His Instagram bio focuses on his athletic identity: “True high-performance athlete.”
Personal life details
- Costa was born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and trains with Team Borracha — Tapology
- No public relationship or family details exist in verified sources
This private stance aligns with Costa’s focus on his athletic career.
Timeline
- — Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- — Fight vs. Roman Kopylov moved from UFC 317 to UFC 318 (MMA Junkie)
- — Defeats Roman Kopylov by unanimous decision at UFC 318 (UFC Stats)
- — Costa announces plan to attend UFC 319 to push for a Chimaev fight (Bloody Elbow)
- — Scheduled fight vs. Sharabutdin Magomedov called off after Magomedov withdraws (Wikipedia)
Costa now faces a critical decision point in his career.
Clarity breakdown
Given the limited official data surrounding Costa’s recent career, here’s what we know for certain versus what remains open.
Confirmed facts
- Record: 16-4-0 (UFC Stats)
- Height: 6’1″, Weight: 205 lbs, Reach: 72″ (UFC Stats)
- Stance: Orthodox (UFC Stats)
- Born 21 April 1991 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil (Tapology)
What’s unclear
- Marital status and children
- Exact official UFC ranking (sources conflict)
- Next fight opponent and date
- Depth of team changes
- Nickname — source is community profile (Tapology) rather than official record
Overall, the dossier on Costa remains incomplete in key areas.
Quotes
True high-performance athlete. Verdadeiro atleta de alta performance.
— Paulo Costa, Instagram bio
Costa said he plans to attend UFC 319 in Chicago to improve his chances of getting a Khamzat Chimaev grudge match after his win at UFC 318.
The fight with Kopylov was moved from UFC 317 to UFC 318, but Costa still got the job done.
These quotes capture Costa’s current mindset and the media narrative surrounding his next move.
Summary
Paulo Costa remains one of the UFC’s most intriguing fighters — a powerful light heavyweight with a spotless official record of 16-4-0, a recent win under his belt, and a clear target in Khamzat Chimaev. But the gaps in his ranking, the lack of a next fight, and his private life keep the dossier incomplete. For the UFC matchmakers, the choice is clear: either give Costa the Chimaev showdown he’s chasing, or risk letting his momentum stall in a thin light heavyweight division.
Frequently asked questions
What is Paulo Costa’s nickname?
Borrachinha, which translates to “The Eraser.” It appears in his official Tapology and UFC profiles.
How old is Paulo Costa?
He was born on 21 April 1991, making him 35 years old.
What is Paulo Costa’s reach?
72 inches (183 cm), per UFC Stats.
Which division does Paulo Costa fight in?
He currently competes in the UFC Light Heavyweight division (205 lbs).
What is Paulo Costa’s fighting style?
An orthodox striker with knockout power, often aggressive in the pocket. He mixes heavy kicks and combinations.
Where is Paulo Costa from?
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
How many fights has Paulo Costa had in the UFC?
As of July 2025, Costa has 12 UFC fights, with a record of 8-4 inside the promotion.
These answers cover the most common questions about Costa’s career.
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Liam O'Brien covers Australian politics and public affairs for Oz Insightlab.