Paulo Costa is a Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the UFC light heavyweight division. Known by the nickname “The Eraser,” Costa built his reputation through knockout power, forward pressure and an aggressive striking style.
Originally from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Costa first became known as a dangerous middleweight before later moving up to light heavyweight. He is a former UFC title challenger and former Jungle Fight middleweight champion.
Paulo Costa Fighter Snapshot
| Stats | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Paulo Henrique Costa |
| Nickname | The Eraser |
| Born | April 21, 1991 |
| Birthplace | Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil |
| Height | 6’1” (185 cm) |
| Reach | 72″ (183 cm) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight |
| MMA Record | 16-4-0 |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Promotion | UFC |
| Team | Team Borracha |
| Fighting Style | Striker |
| Fighting Out Of | Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil |
Paulo Costa Fighting Style & Strengths
Costa fights with pressure, power and physical strength. He usually moves forward, cuts off space and looks to force opponents into heavy exchanges.
His best weapons are his boxing combinations, body attacks and finishing instincts. In addition, Costa has shown the ability to hurt opponents with kicks, including his 2026 head-kick finish of Azamat Murzakanov.
Although fans know him mostly for striking, Costa also owns a Brazilian jiu-jitsu background. However, most of his success has come through stand-up pressure and knockout power.
Paulo Costa Career Background
Costa made his professional MMA debut in Brazil in 2012 and built an undefeated record before joining the UFC. He also competed on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 before making his official UFC debut in 2017.
Once he entered the UFC, Costa quickly gained attention with stoppage wins over Garreth McLellan, Oluwale Bamgbose, Johny Hendricks and Uriah Hall. Those performances helped him rise fast in the middleweight division.
His biggest early UFC win came against Yoel Romero at UFC 241. Costa won by unanimous decision in a hard-fought matchup that remains one of the most memorable fights of his career.
Later, Costa challenged Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 253. He lost by second-round TKO, which marked the first loss of his professional MMA career.
What Makes Paulo Costa Different?
Costa stands out because of his physical style and knockout-heavy record. Most of his wins have come by KO or TKO, making him one of the more dangerous power punchers from Brazil.
He also became known for his personality outside the cage. His “Secret Juice” branding, humor and social media presence helped make him one of the UFC’s more recognizable characters.
After moving to light heavyweight, Costa added another chapter to his career. His win over Azamat Murzakanov showed that his power could still translate at a higher weight class.
What’s Next for Paulo Costa?
With back-to-back wins and a successful move to light heavyweight, Paulo Costa remains a notable name in the UFC’s 205-pound division. His power, experience and popularity keep him relevant for major matchups.
As long as he stays active, Costa will remain a dangerous opponent for ranked light heavyweights and a recognizable figure for UFC fans.
