Islam Makhachev is a heavy betting favorite going into the fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. Makhachev, the pound-for-pound king, would be looking to tie the lightweight title defense record at three. On the other hand, Poirier would be looking to get the undisputed strap in his third attempt. Despite the odds stacked against him, Poirier has one thing in his favor – Paulo Costa.
Costa has fought on Seven PPV cards, one he headlined with Israel Adesanya. Costa failed to win the middleweight title from Adesanya at UFC 253. Moreover, in the other Six PPV events, the title changed hands in the main event. Will that happen at UFC 302? It remains to be seen. Nonetheless, let’s take a look at the so-called ‘Paulo Costa curse’.
UFC 212: Aldo vs. Holloway
UFC 212 was Paulo Costa’s first PPV event. The Brazilian got a spot on the main card of the PPV in Brazil after an impressive knockout of Garreth McLellan on his debut. Nonetheless, Costa defeated Oluwale Bamgbose via second-round TKO at UFC 212. What happened in the main event? Interim featherweight champion Max Holloway secured the undisputed title from Jose Aldo via third-round TKO.
UFC 217: Bisping vs. St.Pierre
Costa’s impressive performance over Bamgbose landed him a spot at UFC 217 in Madison Square Garden. The Brazilian opened the PPV card, knocking out former welterweight champion Johnny Hendricks in the middleweight bout. What happened in the main event? Welterweight GOAT Georges St-Pierre returned after a four-year layoff to claim the middleweight title from Michael Bisping.
UFC 226: Miocic vs. Cormier
After opening the fight card on debut, Paulo Costa fought for the first and to date the last time on the prelims at UFC 226. He dispatched Uriah Hill in two rounds in the featured bout of the prelims. What happened in the main event? Light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier knocked out Stipe Miocic to become the second simultaneous double champion in the UFC, after Conor McGregor.
UFC 241: Cormier vs Miocic II
Interestingly, Costa was again on the undercard of a heavyweight title bout between Cormier and Miocic. However, this time, he was on the main card. In an action-packed bout, Costa defeated Yoel Romero via unanimous decision. What happened in the main event? Miocic won back the title, knocking out Cormier in the fourth round.
UFC 253: Adesanya vs Costa
UFC 253 was the first main event of Paulo Costa, PPV or Fight Night. The curse is not applicable here as it has happened only when the Brazilian is on the undercard. Nonetheless, Adesanya defeated Costa via second-round TKO at the event, handing Costa his first defeat in MMA.
UFC 278: Usman vs Edwards II
After losing to Adesanya, Costa got his first fight night main event against Marvin Vettori, losing via unanimous decision. However, he rebounded with a victory over former champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 278. What happened in the main event? Leon Edwards scored a come-from-behind head kick knockout of pound-for-pound king Kamaru Usman.
UFC 298: Volkanovski vs Topuria
After pulling out of fights due to injury, Costa got a spot in the co-main event of UFC 298 and lost to Robert Whittaker via decision in a close fight where he almost knocked out Whittaker. What happened in the main event? Ilia Topuria became the featherweight champion with a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski.
Final Verdict
The Paulo Costa curse currently has a 100% accuracy. Will Islam Makhachev be the one to break the curse or will Dustin Poirier be the one to keep the curse at 100% accuracy? Stay tuned and watch UFC 302 to know.
