Donald Trump congratulates Paulo Costa, predicts UFC championship

U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media following UFC 327 in Miami to congratulate Paulo Costa on his victory at the April 11 event, declaring that the Brazilian middleweight contender will "definitely become a future champion" and noting that the two spoke outside the octagon after the fight.

Paulo Costa, known as "The Eraser," enters the post-fight spotlight carrying a 16-4-0 record in the middleweight division, where he currently sits ranked 13th. The 35-year-old Brazilian fights out of Team Borracha and brings an aggressive orthodox style to the cage, standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach. His striking numbers are among the most eye-catching in the division — Costa lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, a combination that reflects his reputation as one of the sport's most relentless pressure fighters.

Trump's congratulatory post marks his second public endorsement of Costa connected to UFC 327, continuing a pattern of the president's visible involvement with UFC events that has drawn considerable media attention beyond the sport itself.

Why it matters

• Trump's prediction of a future championship run amplifies Costa's name at a time when he sits outside the top ten at middleweight, potentially accelerating attention from matchmakers.
• A presidential endorsement adds mainstream visibility to Costa's push up the rankings, placing the 35-year-old Brazilian in broader public conversation.
• Costa's elite striking output — over six significant strikes landed per minute — makes him a compelling and dangerous contender if he can string together consistent wins from his current ranking position.