Paulo Costa is back on the winning track after spoiling the return of former champion Luke Rockhold in UFC 278 co-main event. Check it out.
Luke Rockhold : Paulo Costa | Full Fight | Highlights
Luke Skyler Rockhold is an American former mixed martial artist. Rockhold is currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he competes in the Light Heavyweight division.
| Born | Luke Skyler Rockhold October 17, 1984 Santa Cruz, California, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) |
| Division | Middleweight (2007–2018, 2022) Light Heavyweight (2019) |
| Reach | 77 in (196 cm) |
Rockhold formerly competed at Middleweight and is a former UFC Middleweight Champion.
A two-time world champion, Rockhold also won the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship.
Rockhold defended the title twice and was the last man to hold the belt, before Strikeforce was officially absorbed by the UFC in 2013.
Rockhold is also an avid surfer, skateboarder, and a professional model having modeled at the New York Fashion Week and as the face of Ralph Lauren’s “Polo Blue” fragrance.
Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold turned out to be one of the oddest UFC fights in recent history.
The co-main event of UFC 278 had it all: action, drama, thrill, and even some unintentional comedy.
The bizarre turn of events began when the former middleweight champ seemingly gassed out immediately after just a few exchanges.
However, Rockhold remained a constant threat throughout the match as he landed massive shots and occasionally dropped Costa.
The bout was also paused after Rockhold poked his opponent’s eye, and again when ‘Borrachinha’ blasted the former champ with a low blow.
Finally, the iconic battle was bookended with a graphic scene of Rockhold being on top of Costa, rubbing his own blood all over his opponent, who seemed to be having a blast as it was happening.
Full Fight
Body kick and a combo from Costa. Costa spins and misses and falls down. Rockhold jumps on him but Costa immediately dumps him off.
Costa lands to his nose and Rockhold spins right around. But he lands a big shot himself! This is such a strange fight. Costa with two more shots, and more. Rockhold with a huge left that staggers Costa! But he has his hands down with almost nothing left.
Costa puts his hands behind his back! Rockhold lands a body kick and a left. Rockhold shoots but Costa stuffs it and takes top position. The crowd is mad.
Costa is in half guard and they’re chirping at each other. Costa takes his back and sinks hooks. He looks for a choke. Rockhold can barely breathe and Rockhold sits up but Costa drags him back down.
Rockhold turns into his guard! WOW! 20 seconds to go! WOW Rockhold just wipes his blood all over Costa’s face!
That was totally messed up. Wow. I don’t even have the right words for that. 10-9 and 29-28 Costa.
Paulo Costa defeated Luke Rockhold via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
Highlights
Costa tested Rockhold’s chin early and the former UFC champion was able to absorb the damage and find a home for some of his own offense. “Eraser” was able to score a takedown as well and scored valuable top position. Rockhold came alive in the second with hard kicks to the body and solid punches, but his gas tank was nearly depleted.
An accidental low blow on Rockhold provided him with a few moments of rest, but he kept putting his hands on his hips and knees to catch his breath.
Rockhold hurt Costa early into the third and gained top control, but the Brazilian quickly broke free.
The two middleweights started to exchange heavy leather along the cage before Rockhold leaped in for a takedown and got reversed onto his back.
Rockhold was able to reverse it with moments left in the round and rubbed his bloody face into Costa’s to the roar of the crowd.
In the end, it was Costa who did enough over the course of 15 minutes to score the unanimous decision win.
The loss left Rockhold bloody inside of the Octagon and ready to hang up his MMA gloves for good in a memorable retirement performance.
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