![\"Paulo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Paulo-Costa-Reinier-de-Ridder-UFC-Abu-Dhabi-UFC-1024x685.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPaulo Costa shared some choice words for fellow middleweight Reinier de Ridder following today\u2019s UFC on ABC 9 event in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n
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De Ridder (21-2 MMA) squared off with former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-9 MMA) in the headliner of this afternoon\u2019s fight card in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n
The former two division ONE FC Champion, \u2018RDR\u2019, had entered the contest sporting a four-fight winning streak, with his three most recent victories coming by way of stoppages inside of Octagon<\/a>.<\/p>\n Standing in De Ridder\u2019s path to title contention was \u2018The Reaper\u2019, who was looking to bounce back after suffering a submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev<\/a> in his most previous effort this past October.<\/p>\n It was a high stakes bout for both men, and one that fellow UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa had his eyes on.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s \u2018Whittaker vs. De Ridder\u2019 bout proved to be a thrilling back and forth affair. Bobby Knuckles nearly finished the contest in round three, this after scoring a big knockdown followed by some ground and pound. But, Reinier de Ridder showed his resilience and battled back to take dominant position to close out that same round. After two more closely contested frames in rounds four and five, the bout went to the judges\u2019 scorecards for a decision, with Reinier de Ridder ultimately emerging victorious by way of split decision.<\/p>\n While Paulo Costa did share some thoughts during the course of the fight, it was after the contest\u2019s conclusion that he really took some digs at Reinier De Ridder.<\/p>\n The hard-hitting former UFC title challenger took to \u2018X\u2019 with the following posts about De Ridder\u2019s performance and character:<\/p>\n I thought DRICUS was most weird fight style in UFC but de RIDDER is doing everything to compete with him head to head .<\/p>\n \u2014 Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI thought DRICUS was most weird fight style in UFC, but de RIDDER is doing everything to compete with him head-to-head.\u201d<\/p>\n With all due respect, I would knock out de Ridder 3 x wich round. All that said congrats for your win today , despite bad fight.<\/p>\n \u2014 Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWith all due respect, I would knock out de Ridder 3 x which round. All that said congrats for your win today, despite bad fight.\u201d<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/4X2HJHKkvc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n I think de Ridder is gays , and that\u2019s ok bro.<\/p>\n \u2014 Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI think de Ridder is gays, and that\u2019s ok bro.\u201d<\/p>\n Paulo Costa (15-4 MMA) most recently competed at last weekend\u2019s UFC 319 event, where he scored a unanimous decision victory over Roman Kopylov.<\/p>\n Is a scrap between Costa and De Ridder the fight to make next?<\/p>\n