Sean Strickland sounded off on Paulo Costa forward of their struggle on Saturday night time.
Practically 5 months after surrendering the middleweight world title to reigning champ Dricus Du Plessis, Strickland returns to the Octagon for a high-stakes scrap with the key juice-chugging contender at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey.
Forward of their extremely anticipated co-main occasion, Strickland and Costa traded verbal jabs on stage contained in the Prudential Middle in the course of the UFC 302 pre-fight press occasion. As anticipated, ‘Tarzan’ delivered an expletive-filled rant directed at his opponent that bought followers in The Backyard State riled up and able to see the blood fly.
“I don’t know the way a lot f*cking secret juice Paulo has, however the one shot you’ve bought, you higher hope to get f*cking fortunate,” Strickland stated. “You higher hope that God’s in your favor as a result of I’m gonna f*cking beat your d*ck into the f*cking grime, however don’t fear. I ain’t gonna f*ck you want Izzy did.”
Sean Strickland is the odds-on favourite to depart with a win at UFC 302
After delivering a career-defining efficiency in opposition to Israel Adesanya final September to say the 185-pound crown, Strickland’s title reign got here to a crashing halt firstly of the brand new yr. With a win over Paulo Costa, ‘Tarzan’ might very effectively earn himself a possibility to reclaim the middleweight strap, as quickly as Dricus Du Plessis settles some excellent enterprise with ‘The Final Stylebender.’
Costa, alternatively, is simply hoping to maintain his spot within the high 10 after developing quick in opposition to Robert Whittaker earlier this yr.
‘The Eraser’ final fought his strategy to the winner’s circle with a unanimous determination victory over Luke Rockhold in August 2022. Nonetheless, if you wish to try Costa’s final win over one other energetic UFC fighter, you’ll be shocked to seek out that such a factor doesn’t exist. All six of his wins contained in the Octagon have come in opposition to opponents who’re not with the group.
He’ll look to vary that on June 1, however the sportsbooks are actually not on his aspect. Presently, DraftKings has Strickland favored at greater-than-2-to-1 odds whereas Costa is sitting as a +210 underdog — which means a $100 guess on Costa might internet you $210, ought to he rating the upset.
