Paulo Costa disclosed what Donald Trump said to him following his fight at UFC 327. According to Costa, Trump made a comment to which Costa jokingly replied, asking for better or easier work. Costa clarified that they did not discuss the fight itself, explaining that their conversation was personal in nature as they have mutual friends and connections. As a Brazilian, Costa mentioned they talked about the current difficult situation in Brazil rather than MMA-related topics.
Paulo Costa revealed the details of a brief personal exchange he had with Donald Trump following his appearance at UFC 327 on April 11, 2026.
The Brazilian middleweight contender, known as "The Eraser," said Trump made a comment to him after the event, prompting Costa to joke back that he would prefer easier or better work. Costa was quick to clarify that the two did not discuss the fight itself. Instead, he described the conversation as personal in nature, noting they share mutual friends and connections. As a Brazilian living amid a difficult political climate back home, Costa said the talk turned to the current situation in Brazil rather than anything MMA-related.
Costa, 35, carries a 16-4-0 professional record and is currently ranked 13th in the UFC middleweight division. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, he remains one of the most physically imposing strikers in the 185-pound weight class. His numbers back that reputation, with 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute and a striking accuracy of 58 percent — both figures that rank among the division's elite. He competes out of Team Borracha.
Why it matters
- Costa's candid retelling adds a rare social footnote to a major UFC pay-per-view event
- The exchange highlights Costa's growing public profile beyond the octagon
- His rank of 13th in the middleweight division means every performance and moment of visibility carries weight in a crowded, competitive 185-pound landscape
Saturday, April 11, 2026
