The former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland will clash with Paulo Costa, the former challenger in that division. This will be the co-main event at UFC 302, which takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark.
Before Betting on UFC 302 Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa
Strickland is the kind of guy who doesn’t run away from challenges, and he accepted this bout without too much thought. He lost the belt in the previous battle against Dricus Du Plessis via close decision and now wants to get back at the throne as soon as possible. Therefore, he isn’t picking his fights.
The Tarzan, as the fans call him, is arguably the best boxer in the division. His pressure and constant pushing forward are a huge problem for any fighter, and in recent times, he has somewhat improved his leg kicks. Prior to his loss to Du Plessis, he had three wins in a row over Nassourdine Imavov, Abusupiyan Magomedov, and Israel Adesanya. Strickland’s current record is 28 wins and six losses.
Paulo Costa was away from the ring for some time but never got out of the media spotlight. That’s why his appearance creates so much hype in the MMA community. Costa had four bouts in the previous four years, three losses (Adesanya, Vettori, and Whittaker), and just one win, against the veteran Luke Rockhold.
The Brazilian’s game plan includes using his massive physique and heavy punching. Borrachina knows to land tremendous punches and leg kicks, but he also overexposes frequently, which could be devastating against solid boxers. We saw him unable to crack Whittaker despite the difference in size.
Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa UFC 302 Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Strickland | Costa |
|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | 1.43 | 2.70 |
| MyBookie | 1.43 | 2.75 |
| BetUS | 1.43 | 2.75 |
| SportsBetting.ag | 1.67 | 2.70 |
| XBet | 1.65 | 2.75 |
The Tarzan is a solid favorite here, and in our opinion, he is closer to a win than his rival. There are two reasons for this—his better cardio and his discipline. Unlike Costa, whose tactical approach in the octagon is very questionable, Strickland isn’t like that. That’s why we gave him an edge in this case.
