Top UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has extended an olive branch to one of the most popular streamers on the internet as he prepares for his next fight.
The former world title contender is set to return to the octagon at UFC 301 in search of his first win in almost two years after a series of fight cancellations. He missed the entirety of 2023 and returned in February when he was narrowly beaten by Robert Whittaker.
But Costa is working to remain active and looks set to be back in the cage within four months of his last outing. Not since 2017 has Costa had such a purple patch in terms of action, with his schedule since amounting to at most a fight a year on average.
Paulo Costa to face Sean Strickland at UFC 302 in New Jersey
Promotional boss Dana White announced at the UFC 300 post-fight press conference that Costa would be taking on former world champion Strickland as they head back to Newark, New Jersey. The American lost his belt back in January to Dricus Du Plessis, and is keen to make a return to the top quickly.
Strickland is currently ranked No.1 in the division, while Costa is the No.7 contender despite his last win coming in August of 2022 against Luke Rockhold. Both men are massive fan favourites and will draw a big audience to the Prudential Center on June 1.
Strickland vs Costa will serve as the co-main event for UFC 302 with the main pitting Islam Makhachev against Dustin Poirier. Also featured on the card will be middleweights Roman Dolidze and Anthony Hernandez in another key 185lb bout.
Sean Strickland slammed by UFC legend over brutal spar with streamer Sneako
Strickland is never far from the headlines with his controversial antics outside of the cage. And he made international news when he bloodied and battered content creator Sneako during a sparring session earlier this year.
After being challenged to a boxing session by the divisive personality, whose real name is Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, Strickland allowed for a bit of light work before unloading on the 25-year-old. He left Sneako bleeding and continued piling pressure on after multiple towels had been thrown into the cage, but was unable to floor him much to his frustration.
Strickland’s behaviour delighted many who dislike Sneako’s behaviour online, but was unpopular with fighters who felt that he shouldn’t use his elite skills to bully untrained people. And one outspoken critic of the middleweight was former light-heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.
Speaking with Costa on his Jaxxon podcast, Rampage said: “The thing is he is not a fighter and I felt like what Strickland did was, like, people who aren’t fighters like us there’s a civilian thing. It’d be like me and him [co-host Bear Degidio] sparring and I kick the s*** out of him.
“People who are coming in and love the sport but are new to sport, you’re supposed to uplift them and work with them and show them some stuff. He just went in there and beat this guy’s a**.”
Rampage Jackson recommends that Sneako rematch Strickland as he continues training
Jackson noted that he has spent time with the streamer since the incident, and offered him help to defensively take care of himself if put in a similar situation. And he believes that Strickland should allow him back into the cage for another go after a few more months of training.
“Sneako came here and I showed him some stuff, I showed him my defence and stuff and I check in on him now and then,” ‘Rampage continued. “He sends me some videos showing that, look, he’s getting better.
“So I think he should maybe in a couple more months go back and spar Strickland.”
Paulo Costa offers to get revenge for Sneako… Under one condition
Costa is now offering to avenge the social media star’s defeat with his own performance in the octagon on June 1. But he wants to be paid, noting that Sneako is a millionaire with a number of successful platforms.
“So maybe if he can owe me some money I can try to bring revenge,” Costa joked with Jackson. “I don’t have this bad, bad blood yet but maybe if he shows me some money. Sneako has some money right? Sneako, if you want some revenge, talk to me. It’s your best chance right now!”