UFC middleweight championship challenger Paulo Costa has thrilled the MMA universe with his phenomenal striking abilities. He has won all five of his UFC fights, showcasing vicious aggression. This was the norm even before he joined the UFC and featured as an amateur on TUF.

Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva served as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3. This was where UFC fans got their first glimpse of ‘Borrachinha.’

Sonnen served as the coach of a team, but Costa was part of the opposing team under Wanderlei Silva. Nevertheless, ‘Borrachinha’ made a lasting impact on ‘The American Gangster.’

He said, “I remember he used to hit mitts, and when you’re in the locker room of the set, you are just behind a very thin door, just a door enough to separate you.“

Sonnen described the sound of the fists hitting the mitts as gun blasts and said, “It sounded like shotgun blasts going off.”

The coaches and personnel would initially be curious about who possessed such power. Sonnen revealed that as time passed, they knew who it was. This is because ‘Borrachinha‘ was desperate to hone his skills and remained training beyond the stipulated times. 

Chael Sonnen says Paulo Costa was always eager to learn

The former UFC fighter revealed Costa didn’t remain restricted to his team. Instead, he tried to pick tips from everyone around. He said, “He was a very curious guy. He would come and talk to my coaches…to the guys on my team.”

The desire to learn holds even today as Costa was seen taking advice from former UFC champion Henry Cejudo. 

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The Brazilian may have realized that as he rises in the rankings, he cannot punch through his opponents as he has done. His last fight against Yoel Romero was the first time he went the distance in the UFC.

However, given what Sonnen heard from Costa’s TUF coach, he is sure ‘Borrachinha’ will aim to be the hardest worker as he enters the prime of his career.

‘American Gangster,’ said, “When he broke into the UFC he was 10-0 and coach Albarracin who worked with him a lot. He would never say this guy is the best submission guy or best wrestler out there. He would say this is the hardest worker in the room.”

Read: “You’re Not a Real Champion Man”- Paulo Costa Taunts Israel Adesanya For Avoiding Yoel Romero

Given that UFC 253 is set to be held behind closed doors, should Costa strike Israel Adesanya, the shots will echo around either the UFC Apex or the Flash Forum. This will allow fans to put Sonnen’s word to the test.