UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer incorrectly announced a majority decision win for Padilla when the official result was a draw, with fighters only learning the true outcome backstage. Paulo Costa received renewed praise from fans for moving to light heavyweight, with observers noting he looks equally large but now has better stamina than during his years draining to middleweight. Jiri Prochazka issued a public apology for his performance, stating he lost concentration and was caught, denying that showing mercy was a factor. Gable Stevenson, a protege of Jon Jones, has signed with the UFC.
A chaotic night inside the octagon spilled beyond the cage on April 12 when longtime UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer mistakenly declared a majority decision victory for Padilla, only for the fighters to discover backstage that the official result was in fact a draw. The error added an uncomfortable layer of confusion to an already dramatic evening.
Among the night's broader storylines, Paulo Costa continued to draw attention for his move up to light heavyweight. The Brazilian, who carries a 16-4-0 record and is listed at six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, earned fresh praise from observers who noted he appears physically no different from his middleweight frame but is displaying noticeably better stamina now that the punishing weight cut is behind him. Costa, 35 and ranked thirteenth at middleweight with Team Borracha, has long been one of the division's most aggressive strikers, averaging 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy across his career.
Jiri Prochazka, the second-ranked light heavyweight contender out of Czech Republic, issued a public apology following his performance. The 33-year-old, who trains out of Jetsaam Gym Brno and carries a 32-6-1 record, stated he lost his concentration and was caught, explicitly denying that mercy played any role in how the fight unfolded. Standing six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, Prochazka is one of the division's most dynamic offensive threats, averaging 5.69 significant strikes landed per minute.
In a separate development, Gable Stevenson, a protege of heavyweight champion Jon Jones, has officially signed with the UFC.
Why it matters
- Buffer's announcement error raises questions about officiating and communication protocols inside the octagon
- Costa's stamina improvement at light heavyweight could make him a genuine factor in a wide-open division
- Prochazka's public accountability after a setback signals he remains motivated at the top of the 205-pound rankings
- Stevenson's signing, backed by Jones's mentorship, adds a high-profile name to the UFC's roster pipeline
