UFC 318 star Paulo Costa's last victory before he lost his unbeaten status did not fail to entertain the fans.
Although all eyes are focused on Dustin Poirier on Saturday, since his career is coming to an end in the main event, UFC 318 also marks a crucial moment in the career of Co-Headliner Costa.
Once a highly recommended and undefeated knockoutist, 'Borrachinha' has fallen at difficult times in recent years. Because Costa was tipped for Stardom by Dana White in 2018, he only won two fights.
The bad run of the Brazilian began with his failed title offer against Israel Adesanya in 2020. Although Costa did not appear that night and did a version that was criticized on a large scale, the same cannot be said about the fight that Costa earned his shot at gold.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Paulo Costa Showboated his way to the best victory of his UFC career
The last victory over the undefeated 13-0 run of Costa to start his MMA career, was on UFC 241 in 2019. Before Stipe Miocic Daniel Cormier hit the main event, one fight on the main map that was absolutely delivered as advertised.
When Costa threw away with Yoel Romero, many expected fireworks. But even the most self -assured of those who predict a war would not have foreseen the Slobbernocker they had in the Honda Center of Anaheim.
The Brazilian and Cuban middle weights fought it for three moving rounds, brutal shots and bleeding each other. Both men had their moments and cradling each other, leaving a mystery for the jury members.
Eventually the decision went the way of Costa, but it was more than just his fighting and victory that caught the eyes of fans.
The charismatic contender of the middleweight attracted eyebrows with his hilarious show boating, romero harassed by putting his hands behind his back and putting his tongue in the fight at various points.
Paulo Costa released all the emotions against Yoel Romero 😅 #UFC318 in 2019
Posted by ESPN MMA on Friday July 11, 2025
Joe Rogan has long been surprised by the physique of Yoel Romero
Among those who had a chair in the front row for the bloody battle between Costa and Romero was Joe Rogan. The old color commentator has often expressed his surprise about 'Soldier of God' and his physical possibilities.
During an episode of the at the end of 2024 of the Joe Rogan experience, the 57-year-old responded to a video of the Cuban powerhouse who ran and called the ex-PUC title Challenger a “freak”.
“See if you could find the video of Yoel Romero Sprinting, it's crazy. Like, look at him,” said Rogan. “So his neck does not move. His whole neck is completely fused and he has this huge scar in his neck. However, he is a freak, guy.”
And during another episode of 2024 with Jorge Masvidal, Rogan laid even higher praise over Romero.
“The only man who panicked me was Yoel. Yoel Romero would look so big with 185 pounds, you are something like that:” How is that 185 pounds? How is that even possible “? He looks like a heavyweight.”