Costa’s Heavy Kicks Revived His Winning Touch
Paulo Costa defeated Roman Kopylov by unanimous decision in the UFC 318 co-main event on July 19, 2025. The middleweight contest at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans ended with scores of 30–27, 30–27 and 29–28.
The Brazilian set an aggressive early rhythm
Costa attacked the legs and body with kicks before shifting upstairs with his punches. Kopylov tried to answer in combination, but the pressure repeatedly forced him to react rather than establish his own pace.
A heavy punch sent Kopylov’s mouthpiece flying during the opening round. Costa followed with hammerfists as the Russian reached for a leg, although the challenger to his pressure survived and continued.
Kopylov absorbed another difficult round
Costa maintained his kicking attack in the second and landed a hard right hand that drove Kopylov backward. His combinations kept the Russian under pressure through much of the contest.
Kopylov began finding more openings late in the second and connected with some solid punches in the third. Costa nevertheless continued producing offense and answered rather than allowing the late resistance to take over.
The decision ended a long wait for another victory
All three judges favored Costa after fifteen minutes. It was his first win since defeating Luke Rockhold at UFC 278 in August 2022, following losses to Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland.
Costa used his post-fight interview to call out Khamzat Chimaev. Before turning toward that rivalry, he had delivered the immediate result he needed: a full-distance victory built around assertive kicking, power punches and sustained activity.
Sources
- MMA Fighting: round-by-round action, decision and Costa’s reaction
- UFC: first win since Rockhold and late-round exchanges
- UFC: July 19 New Orleans event and official scorecards
