MMA StatBook
Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa

“The Eraser”

#6 Light HeavyweightBrazil2-fight win streak

16Wins
4Losses
0Draws

Professional record

Last 5: WWLLW

Compare with another fighter

Profile

Age
35 (born April 21, 1991)
Born in
Belo Horizonte
Height
6' 1"
Weight
185 lbs.
Reach
72"
Stance
Orthodox
UFC record
8-4
Title fights
1

How the fights ended

Wins in the UFC8

  • KO/TKO 5
  • Decision 3

Losses in the UFC4

  • KO/TKO 1
  • Decision 3

UFC career stats

Striking

Significant strikes landed per minute
6.15 top 3%
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
5.96
Striking accuracy59%Better than 95% of light heavyweights
Strike defense49%Better than 33% of light heavyweights

Grappling

Takedowns per 15 minutes
0.3 top 80%
Submission attempts per 15 minutes
0.0
Takedown accuracy43%Better than 65% of light heavyweights
Takedown defense78%Better than 78% of light heavyweights

Next fight

No confirmed fight yet. Costa last fought on April 11, 2026 (Win vs Azamat Murzakanov).

Booked fights appear here as soon as they are announced. See the full UFC schedule.

In the record book

About Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa "The Eraser" is a light heavyweight mixed martial artist, born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on April 21, 1991. Costa stands 6' 1", has a 72" reach and fights from an orthodox stance. Costa is ranked #6 in the official UFC light heavyweight rankings.

Costa turned professional in 2012, debuting with MMA Total Combat. An 8-0 record outside the UFC came first. Costa made a UFC debut at UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum in March 2017 and beat Garreth McLellan by KO/TKO. In the UFC, Costa is 8-4 across 12 fights.

A finisher on the feet, Costa has won 5 of 8 UFC fights by knockout. By the numbers, Costa lands more significant strikes per minute than 97% of light heavyweights and is more accurate with significant strikes than 95% of light heavyweights. Notable wins include Luke Rockhold and Johny Hendricks, both UFC title-fight winners. Costa ranks #4 in UFC history for most body strikes in a fight.

Most recently, Costa beat Azamat Murzakanov by KO/TKO at UFC 327: Prochazka vs. Ulberg in April 2026.

UFC fight history

  1. W

    Azamat Murzakanov

    KO/TKO · Kick to Head At Distance · R3 1:23

    UFC 327: Prochazka vs. Ulberg

    Apr 11, 2026

    55Str 0TD 1KD
  2. W

    Roman Kopylov

    Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00

    UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3

    Jul 19, 2025

    99Str 0TD 1KD
  3. L

    Sean Strickland

    Decision - Split · R5 5:00

    UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier

    Jun 1, 2024

    158Str 0TD 0KD
  4. L

    Robert Whittaker

    Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00

    UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria

    Feb 17, 2024

    67Str 0TD 0KD
  5. W

    Luke Rockhold

    Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00

    UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards

    Aug 20, 2022

    73Str 2TD 0KD
  6. L

    Marvin Vettori

    Decision - Unanimous · R5 5:00

    UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori

    Oct 23, 2021

    163Str 1TD 0KD
  7. L

    Israel Adesanya Title

    KO/TKO · Punch to Head At Distance · R2 3:59

    UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa

    Sep 26, 2020

    12Str 0TD 0KD
  8. W

    Yoel Romero

    Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00

    UFC 241: Cormier vs. Miocic 2

    Aug 17, 2019

    118Str 0TD 1KD
  9. W

    Uriah Hall

    KO/TKO · Punches to Body At Distance · R2 2:38

    UFC 226: Miocic vs. Cormier

    Jul 7, 2018

    75Str 0TD 1KD
  10. W

    Johny Hendricks

    KO/TKO · Punches to Head At Distance · R2 1:23

    UFC 217: Bisping vs. St-Pierre

    Nov 4, 2017

    49Str 0TD 1KD
  11. W

    Oluwale Bamgbose

    KO/TKO · Punches to Head On Ground · R2 1:06

    UFC 212: Aldo vs. Holloway

    Jun 3, 2017

    43Str 0TD 0KD
  12. W

    Garreth McLellan

    KO/TKO · Punch to Head In Clinch · R1 1:17

    UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum

    Mar 11, 2017

    22Str 0TD 1KD

Full MMA career

Paulo Costa is 16-4 across 20 professional fights in 6 promotions, since a pro debut on February 5, 2012 (MMA Total Combat). 8 of those fights were outside the UFC.

Pro wins16

  • KO/TKO 12
  • Submission 1
  • Decision 3

Pro losses4

  • KO/TKO 1
  • Decision 3
Finish rate
81% of wins
Longest win streak
13
Current streak
2 wins

Fights by promotion

PromotionRecordFirst fight
UFC8-42017
Jungle Fight3-02015
Face to Face2-02014
BH Fight1-02013
MMA Total Combat1-02012
Upper Fight1-02013

All professional fights

ResultOpponentMethodEventDate
W Azamat Murzakanov TKO (head kick), R3 UFC 327 Apr 11, 2026
W Roman Kopylov Decision (unanimous), R3 UFC 318 Jul 19, 2025
L Sean Strickland Decision (split), R5 UFC 302 Jun 1, 2024
L Robert Whittaker Decision (unanimous), R3 UFC 298 Feb 17, 2024
W Luke Rockhold Decision (unanimous), R3 UFC 278 Aug 20, 2022
L Marvin Vettori Decision (unanimous), R5 UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori Oct 23, 2021
L Israel Adesanya TKO (punches and elbows), R2 UFC 253 Sep 26, 2020
W Yoel Romero Decision (unanimous), R3 UFC 241 Aug 17, 2019
W Uriah Hall TKO (punches), R2 UFC 226 Jul 7, 2018
W Johny Hendricks TKO (punches), R2 UFC 217 Nov 4, 2017
W Oluwale Bamgbose TKO (punches), R2 UFC 212 Jun 3, 2017
W Garreth McLellan TKO (punches), R1 UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum Mar 11, 2017
W Adriano Balby de Araujo KO (punch), R1 Jungle Fight 90 Sep 3, 2016
W Eduardo Ramón Submission (rear-naked choke), R1 Jungle Fight 87 May 21, 2016
W Bruno Assis TKO (punches), R1 Jungle Fight 84 Dec 5, 2015
W Wagner Silva Gomes TKO (punches), R1 Face to Face 11 Apr 24, 2015
W Gérson da Conceição TKO (doctor stoppage), R1 Face to Face 9 Dec 19, 2014
W Fábio Moreira TKO (punches), R1 BH Fight: MMA Grand Prix Nov 1, 2013
W Ademilson Borges TKO (head kick and punches), R1 Upper Fight: MMA Championship 2 Jun 15, 2013
W Téo Esteves TKO (head kick and punches), R1 MMA Total Combat: Santa Luzia Feb 5, 2012

Full professional record from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Quick answers

What is Paulo Costa's record?

Paulo Costa's professional MMA record is 16 wins, 4 losses and 0 draws.

How old is Paulo Costa?

Paulo Costa is 35 years old, born on April 21, 1991.

How tall is Paulo Costa and what is their reach?

Paulo Costa stands 6' 1" with a 72" reach.

Who did Paulo Costa fight last?

Paulo Costa beat Azamat Murzakanov by KO/TKO at UFC 327: Prochazka vs. Ulberg on Apr 11, 2026.

Photo: Rafaelbruno13, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.