In the co-main event, Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) and Paulo Costa (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) square off in five rounds. The Ultimate Fighting Championship will present UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier, a mixed martial arts bout, on June 1, 2024, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States.
Paulo Costa had previously revealed that Strickland had declined a UFC 302 offer. After the bout, Strickland revealed he was looking for a salary increase for taking on the former middleweight title challenger. Following their conversation, Strickland addressed that the UFC had addressed his concerns, and the bout was finalised to take place in the co-event.
Everything To Know About Sean Strickland And Paulo Costa’s UFC 302 Fight
The official weigh-in for UFC 302 was held on Friday morning in Newark, New Jersey. Sean Strickland, the former middleweight champion, and Paulo Costa, the co-main event fighter, weighed 185 pounds each.
After losing by split decision to Dricus Du Plessis in his most recent bout, Strickland must triumph to hold the top spot in the division. Costa just had a defeat as well. In his previous appearance, he lost to former champion Robert Whittaker. The Brazilian has to win to maintain his relevancy in the weight class, losing three of his last four fights.
Supporting Strickland: One of the few mixed martial arts (MMA) competitors who actually feels at ease in the pocket and deflecting blows, Strickland is among the best defensive fighters in the sport. He blends that ease of use with a rapid pace of work and a keen wit.
Strickland needs to make sure his jab makes the difference in this matchup. Here, there will be a kickboxing match instead of wrestling. It won’t be fun to face “Borrachinha” if Strickland can’t establish his jab and ends up stranded on the fence, taking body shots.
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Alex Pereira’s sister also reacted to Sean Strickland’s post:
Can Costa Beat Strickland?
Costa is an outlaw. His most well-known tactic is intimidating his opponents by leading them to the fence with kicks and combos before letting loose with strikes to the midsection. He can easily block his opponent’s counterattack, and Costa’s jab improved in his most recent fight.
Costa must incorporate his new tools with his old strategy to defeat Strickland. Even if he can’t outbox Strickland in the open, he can still move Strickland toward the fence with a quick jab. Costa is most dangerous there, where he has the most chance of getting beyond Strickland’s barriers.
Costa’s game heavily emphasizes bodywork, so that’s why it should take center stage here.
Also Read: Israel Adesanya Picks Sean Strickland to Beat Paulo Costa at UFC 302 – Here’s Why
