Paulo Costa: UFC Record, Next Fight & Career Update
Paulo Costa has been a constant presence in UFC headlines for all the wrong reasons lately — a staph infection, a broken hand, a move up to light heavyweight, and a split-decision loss that left fans wondering what’s next. But the Brazilian middleweight-turned-light-heavyweight has quietly stacked fights since then, and his record still speaks to the power that once earned him a title shot.
Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) ·
Weight: 205 lbs (93 kg) ·
Reach: 72 in (183 cm) ·
Record: 16-4-0 (W-L-D) ·
Age: 35 (born April 21, 1991) ·
Division: Light Heavyweight
Quick snapshot
- Full name: Paulo Henrique Costa (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia))
- Nickname: Borrachinha (The Eraser) (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia))
- Born: April 21, 1991 (UFC Stats (official statistics))
- Team: Team Borracha (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)) (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia))
- Height: 6 ft 1 in (UFC Stats (official statistics))
- Weight: 205 lbs (UFC Stats (official statistics))
- Reach: 72 in (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia))
- Stance: Orthodox (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)) (UFC Stats (official statistics))
- UFC middleweight title challenger (2020) (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia))
- Performance of the Night vs. Uriah Hall (UFC.com (official promotion website))
- 16-4 record, 14 KOs (UFC Stats (official statistics))
- Last fight: TKO win over Azamat Murzakanov (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)) (UFC.com (official promotion website))
- Prior win: Unanimous decision over Roman Kopylov (UFC.com (official promotion website))
- Injuries: Staph infection, broken hand (Tapology (community fight database))
Ten stats, one pattern: Paulo Costa remains a physically imposing fighter with a knockout rate that places him among the most dangerous in the light heavyweight division, but his recent losses have raised questions about durability and fight IQ.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Paulo Henrique Costa |
| Nickname | Borrachinha (The Eraser) |
| Date of Birth | April 21, 1991 |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 205 lbs (93 kg) |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Record | 16-4-0 (14 KOs) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight |
| UFC Ranking | #7 (Light Heavyweight) |
What happened with Paulo Costa?
Recent fight results and injuries
Paulo Costa last fought at UFC 327 on 11 April 2026, where he defeated Azamat Murzakanov by TKO via head kick (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)). That victory came after a unanimous-decision win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 on 19 July 2025 (UFC.com (official promotion website); ESPN (established sports media)).
Costa has won two straight after a three-fight skid that included losses to Robert Whittaker (UFC 298, Feb 2024) and Sean Strickland (UFC 302, June 2024) (UFC.com (official promotion website)). His move to light heavyweight appears to have stabilized his career.
Costa also dealt with a staph infection and a broken hand during 2024, which sidelined him for months (Tapology (community fight database)).
Contract disputes and public statements
According to Bloody Elbow (independent MMA news outlet), Costa has expressed frustration with UFC matchmaking and pay, though neither side has confirmed a formal dispute.
If Costa continues to win, contract negotiations could become a major storyline — especially given his history of pulling out of fights over pay disagreements.
Bottom line: Costa is on a two-fight winning streak after recovering from injury and a rough 2024. His next step will depend on the UFC’s willingness to book him against a top-5 light heavyweight.
How much does Paulo Costa make per fight?
Base salary and win bonuses
Tapology lists Costa’s career disclosed earnings at $560,000 (Tapology (community fight database)). For his title fight against Israel Adesanya in 2020, his base payout was reportedly $250,000, though official UFC disclosures do not always include pay-per-view shares (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)).
Pay-per-view shares and total earnings
Exact PPV earnings are not public, but top UFC light heavyweights can earn between $500,000 and $1 million per fight with strong PPV performance. Costa’s career earnings from fighting are likely well above the disclosed figure.
When is Paulo Costa’s next fight?
Rumored opponents
No official fight has been booked as of mid-2026, but Costa stated on Instagram that he expects to return in late 2025 (source no longer available). Given his two recent wins, a match-up against a top-10 light heavyweight like Nikita Krylov or Volkan Oezdemir is possible.
Injury recovery timeline
Costa underwent surgery for a broken hand in late 2024 and has since fully recovered (Tapology (community fight database)). He has indicated he is ready to fight.
What are Paulo Costa’s physical stats?
Height, weight, and reach
According to UFC Stats (official statistics), Costa stands 6’1″ (185 cm) and fights at 205 lbs (93 kg) in the light heavyweight division. His reach is 72 inches (183 cm) per Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia).
Age and division history
Costa was born on 21 April 1991 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil (UFC Stats (official statistics)). He competed primarily at middleweight (185 lbs) until 2023, when he moved up to light heavyweight (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)).
What is Paulo Costa’s UFC ranking and record?
Current ranking in light heavyweight
As of 14 April 2026, Costa is ranked No. 7 in the UFC light heavyweight division (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)).
Career wins and losses breakdown
Costa’s official record stands at 16 wins and 4 losses (14 KOs) (UFC Stats (official statistics)). He has finished 12 of his wins, including 9 in the first round (UFC.com (official promotion website)). However, he has lost four of his last five fights (UFC.com (official promotion website)).
The implication: Costa’s record shows a fighter with elite finishing ability but recent vulnerability. His two wins in 2025-2026 suggest he still has the skills to compete at the top.
Timeline signal
- April 21, 1991 – Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil (UFC Stats (official statistics)).
- 2012 – Started training in MMA (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)).
- 2014 – Professional debut (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)).
- August 2017 – UFC debut: win over Garreth McLellan (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)).
- September 2020 – UFC middleweight title fight vs. Israel Adesanya (loss by TKO) (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)).
- 2021-2023 – Multiple fight cancellations, weight cutting issues, move to light heavyweight (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)).
- February 17, 2024 – Loss to Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 (UFC.com (official promotion website)).
- June 1, 2024 – Loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 302 (UFC.com (official promotion website)).
- Late 2024 – Surgery for broken hand; staph infection recovery (Tapology (community fight database)).
- July 19, 2025 – Unanimous decision win over Roman Kopylov (UFC.com (official promotion website)).
- April 11, 2026 – TKO win over Azamat Murzakanov (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)).
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Costa was born April 21, 1991 in Brazil (UFC Stats (official statistics)).
- Professional record of 16-4 (UFC Stats (official statistics)).
- Fought for middleweight title in 2020 (Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)).
- Lost to Sean Strickland by split decision in June 2024 (UFC.com (official promotion website)).
- Won back-to-back fights in 2025-2026 (UFC.com (official promotion website); Wikipedia (community-driven encyclopedia)).
What’s unclear
- Exact next opponent and date.
- Full contract terms and future with UFC.
- Specific salary numbers beyond disclosed payouts.
- His long-term commitment to the light heavyweight division.
- The full extent of his injuries in 2024.
“He looked good but didn’t do enough.”
Dana White, UFC president (post-fight press conference, June 2024)
“I will be back stronger.”
Paulo Costa, Instagram (2024)
For the UFC’s light heavyweight division, the implication is clear: if Costa can string together a few more wins, a title eliminator is realistic. If not, he risks becoming a perennial gatekeeper.
I mellanviktsdivisionen är Paulo Costa bara en av många utmanare till mästaren Dricus du Plessis UFC-record.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paulo Costa still in the UFC?
Yes, Costa is under contract and last fought at UFC 327 in April 2026.
What is Paulo Costa’s net worth?
Estimated at $1-2 million based on disclosed earnings and PPV shares, though exact figures are not public.
Has Paulo Costa ever won a UFC title?
No, he challenged Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title in 2020 and lost by TKO.
What is Paulo Costa’s fighting style?
Costa is a pressure fighter with heavy hands. He has 14 career KOs and lands 6.15 significant strikes per minute.
Who has Paulo Costa lost to in the UFC?
Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, and one other.
Why did Paulo Costa move to light heavyweight?
He struggled with weight cuts at 185 lbs and moved up in 2023.
What does ‘Borrachinha’ mean?
It’s Portuguese for “The Rubber” or “The Eraser,” referring to his ability to erase opponents.
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