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In a stunning turn of events, Brazilian fighters and analysts pick
against one of their countrymen in an upcoming
Ultimate Fighting Championship bout.
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Among one of the more popular MMA fighters in Brazil, Paulo Costa
(14-3) has the eyes of Brazilian faithful focused on his Octagon
return on Saturday. In the co-main event of UFC 302, “Borrachinha”
faces former champion Sean
Strickland (28-6) in a major five-round middleweight matchup.
With three losses in his last four outings, the former title
challenger is coming in as the betting underdog. Sherdog reached
out to six Brazilian coaches, competitors and analysts, who weighed
in on the pivotal 185-pound contest.
Vinicio Antony, former head coach of Vitor
Belfort and Lyoto
Machida: “Strickland is such an animal. A long time ago, we
paid him to help Lyoto in a camp, I think it was for the fight
against Rockhold, and he really impressed me. Not only for his
aggressive game but also for his wrestling. He took Lyoto down a
couple of times. ‘Borrachinha’ must control the distance against
him and use the kicks to keep the fight between middle and long
range. If he accepts the brawl in the short distance, Strickland
will have [an] advantage. When Costa went to help Belfort on his
camp, I got really impressed with his ground game. This fight has
[the makings of] a five-round striking war, but I would love to see
these two testing their ground skills against each other.”
Caio
Borralho, UFC fighter: “First of all, I have to
congratulate his wife Tamara for her excellent job as [Costa’s]
manager. Because concerning the ranking and the sequence of fights
of both, that fight doesn’t make any sense. I trained with both. In
2021, I was [the] Future FC champion, and Tamara sent me an email
to help his first camp with [Robert]
Whittaker. I stayed 10 days, sparring with Paulo, and it was
pure madness. He trains hard. We finished five rounds of sparring,
and later, he goes to eight rounds of punching bag training. I also
got surprised about how much he dedicated to physiotherapy,
stretching and warming up. I learned a lot in those 10 days with
him.
“‘Borrachinha’ is definitely a war tank who trains really hard.
With Strickland, I trained much more, once I went to Xtreme Couture
many times. I did, easily, more than 20 rounds with him. Strickland
also surprised me a lot in the sparring sessions. He has a unique
style of fighting and also has a very high level of wrestling that
he didn’t show yet. I see ‘Borracha’s’ strongest point as kicks to
the head with both legs and also kicking to the arm. To win, he
must control distance and use kicks and avoid the boxing game with
Strickland. I see Strickland’s big advantage as the pressure, he
has better boxing. Also, I think he will have a gas advantage, once
this will be a five-round fight. I see Strickland winning that
one.”
Renato
Carneiro, UFC fighter: “Sean
Strickland has an advantage on his pressure game and also on
the gas. He grows after three rounds. ‘Borrachinha’ is very
aggressive too, but this fight will be disputed [over] five rounds.
I see Strickland winning.”
Mauricio
Ruffy, UFC fighter: “I don’t think Costa has a good
boxing skill. He takes a long [time] to reload his blows and gives
time to the opponent to close the guard, while Strickland’s jabs
come fast. Once I saw Strickland sparring with Borralho, and I got
really impressed. Everything this guy does is planned. He has such
an ugly game to watch, but it’s really efficient. I see him as my
favorite Saturday.”
Joilton
Lutterbach, UFC fighter: “I see ‘Borrachinha’ winning
by points. I would see more danger to him against [Khamzat]
Chimaev. Strickland is a brawler. I see ‘Borrachinha’ more
resistant winning that one.”
Carlos
Barreto, UFC Fight Pass Brazil commentator:
“Strickland is coming in an excellent moment. After taking the
invincibility of a dominant champion like [Israel]
Adesanya, he lost in a split decision to the new champion
[Dricus]
Du Plessis. I would like to see Paulo using all the tools he
has and [has not] not shown in [the] UFC yet. Everybody who trains
with him says he has an excellent ground game. It’s time to use
it.
When he gets the opponent on the fence, he is lethal, but when he
is in the middle of the cage, he is using only isolated blows, like
he did [against] Whittaker. Sean is also a master on [cornering his
opponent]. He is very resistant and has a reasonable advantage in
the range, using better combinations. If ‘Borrachinha’ changes his
game and brings new tools, he has chances to surprise Strickland,
but concerning the last fights of both, I agree with the odds.
Strickland is the favorite.”