The upcoming UFC 302 co-main event features a highly anticipated middleweight clash between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa. Former UFC champions Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo have weighed in on this intriguing matchup, sharing their predictions for the fight.
Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa UFC 302 Bout
Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) is no stranger to challenging opponents. His most recent fight saw him lose the UFC middleweight title in a razor-thin split decision against Dricus du Plessis in January 2024. Strickland’s resilience and technical prowess make him a formidable contender.
Paulo “Borrachinha” Costa (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) hails from Brazil and is known for his explosive striking. His spinning heel kick nearly finished Robert Whittaker in their recent bout, although he ultimately lost via unanimous decision in February 2024.
Kamaru Usman’s Prediction
Kamaru Usman, who previously defeated Strickland via unanimous decision in a welterweight bout back in April 2017, acknowledges the difficulty of facing “Tarzan.” Usman believes that Strickland’s ability to neutralize kicks will play a crucial role in this fight. He predicts that Strickland will emerge victorious:
“I have to go with Sean Strickland because of how difficult it is for someone to kick him. Even though I do think Paulo Costa could find some really, really good kicks on him, I’m gonna have to go with Sean Strickland. I know how difficult he is to fight because I fought the guy.”
Henry Cejudo’s Assessment
Henry “Triple C” Cejudo also analyzes the matchup, emphasizing Costa’s striking-heavy approach. Cejudo believes that if Costa chooses to strike with Strickland, it could be his downfall. Drawing parallels to Strickland’s performance against Israel Adesanya, Cejudo predicts Strickland’s victory:
“If Paulo Costa just decides to strike with him, which he is, I could see why. I could see why a guy like Sean Strickland just walk him down, check the kicks that he has just like he did against Israel [Adesanya].”
Fans eagerly await UFC 302 to witness whether Strickland or Costa will emerge victorious in this pivotal middleweight showdown. Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo’s insights add excitement to the Strickland vs. Costa matchup.
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