Within the UFC 302 co-main occasion of the night, former middleweight world champion Sean Strickland returned to the Octagon for the primary time since surrendering the 185–crown to present titleholder Dricus Du Plessis.
Standing in his approach of a return to the win column was division fan favourite and one-time title challenger Paulo Costa.
Costa instantly got here out touchdown a handful of huge leg kicks that had Strickland compromised early. Along with his calf already welting, ‘Tarzan’ switched stances and placed on the strain, forcing Costa on his backfoot for the whole thing of the spherical.
Strickland punished Costa’s midsection with a slew of entrance kicks to the physique, a development the previous champ continued within the second spherical. With 30 seconds left within the spherical, Strickland landed a stiff left jab towards the fence that momentarily took Costa off his ft.
Strickland delivered maybe his most dominant displaying within the third spherical, however Costa slowly started to show the tide within the fourth, standing his floor and refusing to permit ‘Tarzan’ to again him up.
With the battle probably hanging within the stability, Strickland’s nook inspired him to “let the canine out” in spherical 5.
Regardless of the recommendation of his nook, Strickland stayed the course, transferring ahead and chipping away at his opponent with a bevy of jabs and entrance kicks. Midway by way of the ultimate spherical, Costa had greater than doubled the output of his opponent. With Strickland not touchdown something of significance to shut the hole, Costa seemingly took the spherical, however was it sufficient to win the battle?
Official Outcome: Sean Strickland def. Paulo Costa by way of break up determination (46-49, 50-45, 49-46)
