Paulo Costa

Main Achievements & Milestones

• UFC Middleweight Title Contender (UFC 253) — Earned a shot at undisputed world title glory following an undefeated, destructive run through the middleweight ranks.
• 2-Time UFC Fight of the Night Winner — Delivered instant classics inside the Octagon in memorable battles against Yoel Romero (UFC 241) and Luke Rockhold (UFC 278).
• 2-Time UFC Performance of the Night Winner — Earned fight-night honors for high-volume, explosive finish wins over Johny Hendricks and Uriah Hall.
• Jungle Fight Middleweight Champion — Captured and defended regional title gold in Brazil’s premier MMA organization prior to joining the UFC.
• BJJ Black Belt Rank — Earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, complementing his world-class Muay Thai striking with formidable ground defense and top pressure.

Overview

Paulo “The Eraser” Costa, also widely known by his Brazilian moniker “Borrachinha,” is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, UFC Middleweight Championship contender, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Celebrated globally for his relentless forward pressure, brutal body strikes, and explosive power, Costa stormed through the middleweight division before challenging for the title at UFC 253. His transitional legacy as an elite striker, decorated regional champion, and viral combat sports personality firmly establishes him as a standout force in modern MMA history.

Early Life & Regional Dominance

Born on April 21, 1991, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Paulo Costa grew up competing in football (soccer) before discovering martial arts in his mid-teens. Driven by a desire to learn self-defense, he began formal training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, quickly revealing an extraordinary natural talent for physical combat.

Costa made his professional MMA debut in 2012, amassing an undefeated local record dominated by swift first-round stoppages. His early success earned him a spot on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 in 2014. Refining his skills on the Brazilian regional circuit, he captured the Jungle Fight Middleweight Championship, defending his belt with authority before securing his signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2017.

The UFC Ascendancy & Title Contention

Costa made an immediate impact upon entering the UFC, knocking out opponents with ferocious power punches and body strikes. He mounted an impressive undefeated streak with victories over former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks and dangerous striker Uriah Hall. At UFC 241 in August 2019, Costa engaged in an iconic, high-octane slugfest against Yoel Romero, securing a unanimous decision victory that cemented his status as the division’s top contender.

This legendary victory earned Costa a shot at the UFC Middleweight Championship against Israel Adesanya at UFC 253 in September 2020. Continuing to face the division’s elite, Costa maintained his position at the top with victories over former champion Luke Rockhold and key contenders.

The Costa Blueprint & Media Persona

Tactically, “The Eraser” is celebrated for his aggressive Muay Thai style. He excels at cutting off the Octagon, trapping opponents against the cage, and unleashing overwhelming volume through powerful body kicks and heavy hooks. While primarily feared for his striking power, Costa holds a legitimate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, providing him with solid defensive wrestling and heavy top control when taking fights to the mat.

Beyond his physical prowess inside the cage, Costa has cultivated a massive international fanbase through his unique online humor, notably popularizing the viral “Secret Juice” meme across the combat sports community. Paulo Costa stands as an enduring monument to explosive power, relentless pressure, and engaging modern martial arts charisma.