The UFC middleweight division is a war zone of raw power, technical skill, and unyielding will. Few fighters embody this chaos as much as Paulo Costa, the Brazilian beast known as Borrachinha. Once touted as the future of the 185lb division, Costa’s journey has been a rollercoaster of explosive wins, crushing losses, and a larger-than-life personality that keeps fans hooked.
After a thrilling unanimous decision win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 in July 2025, there are buzzing around the UFC fans that Paulo Costa UFC comeback, the question on every MMA fan’s mind is: Can Paulo Costa make a UFC comeback and win middleweight gold in 2026? Let’s get into his journey, recent performance, and what’s next for the Brazilian brawler.
The Rise of Paulo Costa: A Middleweight Phenom
Paulo Costa burst onto the UFC scene in 2017 with a string of knockouts and an aura of invincibility. His chiseled physique, non-stop pressure, and devastating striking earned him the nickname The Eraser. From 2017 to 2019, Costa was unstoppable, 13-0 with 11 knockouts and one submission. His wins over Johny Hendricks, Uriah Hall, and Yoel Romero showed a fighter who could dominate with brute force and technical skill.
Key Moments in Costa’s Early UFC Career
- UFC 212 (June 2017): Costa destroyed Oluwale Bamgbose in the second round, announcing his arrival with a TKO.
- UFC 226 (July 2018): A brutal knockout of Uriah Hall earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
- UFC 241 (August 2019): Costa outlasted Yoel Romero in a war, solidifying his status as a top contender with a unanimous decision win.
By 2020, Costa was undefeated and ready to challenge Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 253. Fans thought Borrachinha’s power and aggression could dethrone The Stylebender. But Adesanya’s precision exposed the holes in Costa’s game, and he lost via second-round TKO, a turning point in his career.
The Setbacks: What Derailed Costa’s Momentum?
Since his loss to Adesanya, Costa’s record has been a mess, 1-4 in his last 5 fights before UFC 318. Injuries, contract disputes, and strategic missteps have plagued his journey and made us question if he can get back to title contention. Let’s break down the challenges that have defined this phase of his career.
Injuries and Pullouts
Costa’s career has been marred by injuries, most notably an elbow infection that forced him to pull out of a highly anticipated fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in 2023. These setbacks have disrupted his momentum and limited his octagon time, a big factor in the fast-paced middleweight division.
Strategic Missteps
In fights against Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland, Costa struggled with game plan execution. Against Whittaker at UFC 298, he relied too much on single jabs and lacked the aggression he had in his previous fights. Against Strickland at UFC 302, he couldn’t counter Strickland’s pressure and got out decisioned. Fans and analysts noted a lack of adaptability; Costa looked hesitant to impose his physicality.
Public Perception and Pressure
Costa’s big personality, fueled by his funny social media and Secret Juice memes, has kept him in the spotlight. But his inconsistent performances have made some call him a gatekeeper, not a contender. A Reddit thread from June 2024 asked why fans still rate him high despite his 1-4 record in the last 3 years, and pointed out his entertaining personality as a reason.
UFC 318: Paulo Costa UFC Comeback
His performance at UFC 318 against Roman Kopylov was a return to form that gave us hope for Paulo Costa UFC comeback. Against a dangerous striker with 4 KO’s in his last 7 fights, Costa showed striking variety and pressure. He mixed leg kicks, body shots, and big punches to win by unanimous decision, nearly finishing Kopylov in the 2nd round with a huge right hand. After the fight Paulo Costa called out khamzat Chimaev and continues the rivalery.
What Worked at UFC 318
- Improved Game Plan: Costa’s coaches told him to be the aggressor, to be the hunter. This mindset change allowed him to control the pace of the fight.* Striking Variety: By attacking Kopylov’s lead leg and mixing head and body shots, Costa kept him guessing.
- Mental Focus: Costa told us at the UFC 318 press conference that he was focused, putting to rest rumors of him being erratic and that he was all in for the fight.
This win puts Costa at #11 in the UFC middleweight rankings as of July 22, 2025, and showed a fighter getting his mojo back. His post-fight callout of Khamzat Chimaev, fueled by personal beef, adds to the narrative of the new and improved Borrachinha.
The Road to 2026: Can Costa Climb Back to the Top?
Now that UFC 318 is behind him, Costa is looking to return in October or November 2025 and set himself up for 2026. The middleweight division is stacked with talent – Dricus du Plessis, Khamzat Chimaev, Robert Whittaker, and Sean Strickland. To get back to the top, Costa needs to navigate this gauntlet and answer the questions about his game.
Challenges Ahead
- Consistency: Costa needs to win multiple fights to get back in title contention. His 1-4 stretch before UFC 318 showed he needs to be consistent.
- Adapting to Elite Competition: Fighting top guys like Chimaev or du Plessis will require Costa to evolve beyond his current skillset and add grappling or cardio.
- Injury Management: Staying healthy is key. Another pullout and he’ll lose momentum and fan support.
Opportunities for Costa
- Fan Appeal: Costa’s personality and social media presence make him a marketable star, so he’ll get high-profile fights.
- Favorable Matchups: Guys like Joe Pyfer or Marvin Vettori could be winnable fights to get him back on track.
- Potential Chimaev Showdown: A fight with Chimaev would be a career-defining moment if he wins.
Fight Predictions for 2026
- Paulo Costa vs. Joe Pyfer: A striker’s dream, this could be Costa’s power overwhelming Pyfer’s aggression and getting the KO.
- Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev: If Chimaev wins the title at UFC 319, a 2026 fight with Costa could be the main event. Costa’s durability will test Chimaev’s cardio, but he needs to avoid takedowns.
- Paulo Costa vs. Marvin Vettori: A rematch could be Costa’s chance to avenge his 2021 loss and outpoint Vettori with his striking.
Why Paulo Costa UFC Comeback Matters
Paulo Costa’s journey is more than just a title shot; it’s a story of redemption and resilience. He can bounce back from setbacks, and he’s a fan favorite. The middleweight division loves chaos, and Costa’s aggressive style and knockout power can shake up the rankings. Whether he’s trading with Chimaev or landing spinning heel kicks, Borrachinha brings energy to every card he’s on.
Chad x beta mogged pic.twitter.com/mBBZFtv8ar
— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 24, 2025
What Fans Are Saying
Social media is buzzing with Costa’s popularity. Posts from X from July 2025 are hyping his UFC 318 performance with fans like Henry Cejudo and Anthony Pettis saying he’s back. But some are skeptical, saying he’s lost recently and can’t compete with the top guys.
Conclusion: Will 2026 Be Costa’s Year?
Paulo Costa UFC comeback is off to a good start with the UFC 318 win, but the road to middleweight gold in 2026 is tough. To get back to the top, he needs to stay healthy, work on his game, and string together performances against top competition. His rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev could be the spark that gets him back in title contention, but only if he gets back that fearless, destructive energy of his early UFC days.
For fans, Costa’s journey is a must-watch. Will The Eraser wipe the slate clean and rise again, or will the middleweight division’s sharks be too much? Comment below and follow our blog for the latest UFC news, fight previews, and analysis as we track Borrachinha’s 2026 comeback!