The UFC recently announced a matchup at UFC 326 between Paulo Costa and Brunno Ferreira. Here’s what you need to know ahead of the fight.
Paulo Costa vs. Brunno FerreiraRecords: Costa (15-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC), Ferreira (15-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC)Division: MiddleweightRankings: Borralho No. 9, Ferreira No. 15 (MMA Junkie); Borralho No. 9, Ferreira NR (UFC) What’s at stake for Costa
After a 13-0 start to his career, Costa got a title shot against Israel Adesanya in 2020, but was finished in the second round. That setback started a stretch of four losses in five fights, including against ex-champs Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland in 2024. But in July, Costa bounced back for his first win in nearly three years when he outworked Roman Kopylov at UFC 318.
What’s at stake for Ferreira
The 33-year-old Brazilian has won five of his past six and three in a row, including armbar finishes of ARmen Petrosyan and Jackson McVey consecutively earlier this year. But at UFC 323, he missed weight for his fight against ex-title challenger Marvin Vettori, a unanimous decision win. That fight also was the first time in his career Ferreira had to go the distance.
Statistically speaking
Costa has not had a stoppage win since a bonus-winning knockout of Uriah Hall in mid-2018. Ferreira lost his 100 percent finishing rate against Vettori. Prior to that, he was a perfect 14 for 14 with finishes.
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