Paulo Costa disclosed details of his brief exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump following his fight at UFC 327. When asked about the conversation, Costa revealed he jokingly responded to Trump's comments by saying 'Then give me a better job, an easier job.' Costa clarified that they did not discuss the fight itself, explaining the conversation was personal in nature involving mutual friends and connections. He also mentioned discussing Brazil's current political situation with Trump, as Costa expressed concerns about conditions in his home country. The interaction occurred while Trump sat ringside at the event.
Paulo Costa went public with details of a ringside chat he had with U.S. President Donald Trump during UFC 327 on April 11, with the Brazilian middleweight describing a lighthearted yet candid exchange that touched on his career and the political climate back home.
Costa, who competes at middleweight with a professional record of 16 wins and 4 losses, told the story with characteristic humor. When Trump apparently made a comment that prompted Costa to fire back — in jest — "Then give me a better job, an easier job." The 35-year-old confirmed the conversation never turned to the fight itself, describing it instead as personal in nature, facilitated by mutual friends and shared connections. Costa also revealed he raised concerns about Brazil's current political situation directly with the sitting U.S. president.
Ranked 13th in the UFC middleweight division, Costa trains out of Team Borracha and remains one of the more recognizable figures in the 185-pound weight class. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, he is known for an aggressive, forward-pressing style that produces one of the higher striking outputs in the division. He lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, numbers that reflect his reputation as a pressure-heavy puncher.
Why it matters
- Trump sat ringside at UFC 327, continuing a visible presence at major combat sports events
- Costa's willingness to discuss Brazilian politics directly with a foreign head of state adds a layer beyond typical fighter-celebrity interaction
- At 35 and ranked 13th at middleweight, Costa's profile outside the cage continues to grow alongside questions about where he fits in the divisional picture
Saturday, April 11, 2026
