Israel Adesanya believes Paulo Costa’s mindset is the deciding factor in how he performs at UFC 318. Costa is set to make his first appearance of 2025 when he takes part in the co-main event of UFC 318 in New Orleans on Saturday.

Costa's comeback arrives just one month before the division's title is contested between UFC champion Dricus du Plessis and undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. Although he has some work to do before he nears a second-career title shot, Costa isn't letting go of his old rivalry with Chimaev.

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Israel Adesanya broke down the upcoming UFC 318 fight. ‘The Last Stylebender’ will have a vested interest in the co-main event, which comes in his division and features the man he defeated to record his second successful title defense in 2020.

Paulo Costa hasn’t forgotten his would-be rivalry with Khamzat Chimaev. With the two in the same weight class, the path was clear for a grudge match and introduction to the top-tier of Middleweight talent.

UFC 318 fighter Paulo Costa spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his co-main event middleweight bout vs. Roman Kopylov.

“‘Mr. Inconsistent’, Paulo Costa, ‘Borrachinha’, who has kind of turned into a bit of a meme,” the British MMA legend said during his UFC 318 prediction video. “He’s a very funny guy to follow on social media. Some of the stuff that he posts is absolutely hilarious, but what’s not so funny are the performances inside of the Octagon.

Paulo Costa finally storms back into the octagon at UFC 318 this weekend (Sat., July 19, 2025) against No. 14-seeded Roman Kopylov, aiming to rediscover the ferocious "Borrachinha" that once electrified fans.

On the second episode of UFC 318 "Embedded," Paulo Costa finishes his camp feeling the utmost confident before his fight.