Paulo Costa has publicly reacted to what he describes as an offer for a non-title fight in Abu Dhabi on 13 days' notice, for five rounds and the same pay. Costa responded with biting sarcasm, writing 'Me: I love u too.'
Paulo Costa took to social media on July 13 to publicly mock what he described as a late offer to fight in Abu Dhabi, expressing his frustration through sharp sarcasm rather than a formal rejection.
The Brazilian middleweight, known as "The Eraser," said the proposed bout would take place on just 13 days' notice, span five rounds, carry no title implications, and come with no additional pay. Costa's response was brief and pointed — he wrote "Me: I love u too," letting the irony speak for itself.
Costa enters this moment holding a 16-4 record and currently ranked 13th in the middleweight division at 35 years old. Standing six feet one inch tall with a 72-inch reach, he remains one of the most dangerous strikers in the 185-pound weight class. His 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute and 58 percent striking accuracy reflect a fighter built around relentless forward pressure and heavy hands. He has not attempted a submission in recorded bouts, and his takedown activity is minimal, underscoring how fully his game is built around stand-up combat.
Why it matters
- A non-title fight on 13 days' notice offers Costa little upside given his ranking and the lack of added compensation
- Costa sits at 13th in the middleweight division and needs high-profile, meaningful matchups to climb back toward contention
- His public reaction suggests negotiations between his side and the promotion are far from straightforward, and no fight has been agreed
