The old “Borrachinha” is back?
No. 13-ranked UFC Middleweight Paulo Costa finally storms back into the octagon at UFC 318 this weekend (Sat., July 19, 2025) against No. 14-seeded Roman Kopylov inside Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, aiming to rediscover the ferocious “Borrachinha” that once electrified fans.
Costa’s been on a rough skid, dropping four of his last five fights, including a lackluster split decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 302 in his last outing. His lone bright spot? A first-round moment against Robert Whittaker at UFC 298, where he briefly dropped the former champion with a spinning heel kick that reminded everyone of the old “Borrachinha”—a relentless, pressure-heavy brawler who steamrolled opponents.
But those days have felt like a distant memory. Costa’s recent performances have been cautious, lacking the savage spark that made him a fan favorite. At UFC 318, he’s promising a return to form.
“I just feel like I needed a refresh,” Costa told Ariel Helwani when asked why he’s been cross-training so much. “I needed to see new things and be connected with my old style, that style to chase [opponents], to be more aggressive, to bring back Paulo of the old days… very aggressive.”
“You know, the fans and people around me always asked me to come back with this kind of style of fighting. So, yeah, I was looking for that [in my training], and this is who I am,” Costa added. “This fight is going to be short, not 15 minutes, no way. Maybe two rounds, maybe in the first round. I think this is going to be a good collision, two guys looking for a finish. I will be there to finish this fight since the very first minute.”
The matchup with Kopylov fuels Costa’s confidence. The Russian striker, riding a two-fight winning streak, including a head-kick finish over Curtis, brings a high-risk, high-reward style.
“This is a very important [fight] for me,” Costa said. “This is a great matchup. He is a striker and he’s southpaw. I know how to fight against southpaws. I know he’s dangerous. He has good kicks and a good straight left hand, but I’m very prepared for that. I’m excited and happy for this fight. I think he can bring a great fight for me and him, of course. For everyone, for the audience.”
For “Borrachinha,” it’s more than a fight—it’s a chance to reclaim his identity. When he’s on, few are as thrilling, blending raw power with a larger-than-life personality that’s made him a social media darling. But with his back against the wall, can he deliver? We’ll have to wait and see – thankfully, it’s only five days away.
For the rest of the UFC 318 fight card and PPV lineup click here.
This story originally appeared on MMA Mania
