Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori are in the main event of UFC Fight Night 196. The event is going to take place on October 23, 2021. However, just days before their fight, Costa admitted in a press conference that he is overweight and weighs around 211 pounds.
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However, during the presser, Costa didn’t seem to be regretful about missing weight. Instead, he put the spotlight on Vettori and pushed the idea of having the fight at catchweight.
Paulo Costa, currently 211 pounds, says he won't make 186 for Saturday's main event. "Maybe we can do a catchweight of 195." #UFCVegas41 | Full video: bit.ly/2Z9line
“I think this fight will happen. Just will not happen if he not want to fight me,” the Brazilian said. “Maybe we can do catchweight. 185 I don’t know.” According to Costa, the fans will be more excited if both fighters fought at a heavier weight, and the fight will be more explosive.
His opponent, Marvin Vettori, called him unprofessional but said he’s ready to fight at any weight and doesn’t want the bout to be scrapped. It’s still not sure what weight the fight will happen on, but the plan is to move ahead with it.
MMA community didn’t react kindly to ‘Borrachinha‘ not making weight. They ripped the UFC middleweight for being 25 pounds overweight three days before the fight.
UFC fans blast Paulo Costa
As soon as the news of Costa missing weight broke, MMA fans and journalists took to Twitter. Some fans trolled the Brazilian fighter, and some even asked for Vettori to get a significant amount from his fight purse.
Mike Bohn didn’t hold back while tweeting about the whole situation.
"I think this fight will happen. Just won't happen if he don't want to fight me." Paulo Costa trying to put the onus on Marvin Vettori to fight while he sits up there 25 pounds overweight is something. Respectfully, take that trash elsewhere. x.com/MMAjunkie/stat…
Paulo Costa, currently 211 pounds, says he won't make 186 for Saturday's main event. "Maybe we can do a catchweight of 195." #UFCVegas41 | Full video: bit.ly/2Z9line
Phil Murphy blasted Costa for addressing the situation just days before the fight.
Paulo Costa claiming he'll have more energy without a weight cut. Yup. And that absolutely should've been proposed and addressed weeks ago, even days ago. Not Wednesday of fight week. Costa's unapologetic posture here is garbage.
Here is a portion of my interview with Paulo Costa, who explains why he believes that it is unnecessary to cut so much weight for his bout against Marvin Vettori this weekend.
Ariel Helwani lauded the way Marvin Vettori was handling the whole situation and hoped that he’s getting compensated.
Respect to @MarvinVettori for how he’s handling this wacky situation. Impressive. Many wouldn’t be so kind. Hope he’s getting compensated for his leniency.
Marvin Vettori vs. Paulo Costa will move ahead as a catchweight bout, per UFC officials. Exact details still being hashed out but I was told "the fight is on" #UFCVegas41
The fans didn’t hold back either, and immediately started trolling Costa.
Paulo Costa this week
Paulo Costa showing up at the weigh ins
It’s safe to say that the mixed martial arts community is not happy with how things have transpired. What do you think will happen? Should ‘The Italian Dream’ be given a huge share of Costa’s purse? Let us know in the comments!
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