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Paulo Costa plans to compete in both middleweight and light heavyweight divisions

By Oscar Nascimento
Updated AgentMMA.com
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Paulo Costa has stated he plans to fight in both light heavyweight and middleweight divisions going forward. The Brazilian claims he intends to be a title contender in both weight classes. Costa emphasized that his move to light heavyweight is not because he struggles to make middleweight, but rather due to strategic planning and good opportunities at 205 pounds. He explained that he received a favorable opportunity to compete at light heavyweight, which is why he took it. Costa appears committed to maintaining his presence across two divisions simultaneously.

AgentMMA.com

Paulo Costa has revealed plans to compete across two weight classes simultaneously, stating he intends to be a title contender at both middleweight and light heavyweight going forward.

Costa, the 35-year-old Brazilian known as "The Eraser," carries a professional record of 16 wins and 4 losses and currently sits ranked thirteenth in the middleweight division. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, the Team Borracha product is one of the most aggressive strikers in the sport, averaging 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at a striking accuracy of 58 percent. He has made no submissions attempts in his career, underscoring just how heavily his game relies on forward pressure and volume punching.

Costa was direct in addressing why he has taken a fight at 205 pounds, pushing back against any suggestion that weight-cutting difficulties are behind the move. He framed the decision as strategic, pointing to a favorable opportunity at light heavyweight rather than any trouble making the middleweight limit.

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Why it matters

  • Costa's presence at light heavyweight opens a new front in his career while he maintains his middleweight ranking
  • A simultaneous two-division pursuit would put him in contention at 185 and 205 pounds if results go his way
  • His high-output striking style translates naturally to light heavyweight, where the added size could amplify his physicality
  • The middleweight division loses some clarity at the contender level if Costa shifts focus upward, even partially

The Brazilian's stated ambition to chase titles in both divisions places him in rare company, and his commitment to maintaining a foothold at middleweight while exploring 205 pounds suggests an aggressive scheduling approach in the months ahead.

Source: AgentMMA

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