UFC 318 'Animal' has only won twice in seven years since Dana White tipped him to the next big star

The Octagon is in New Orleans for local and global favorites Dustin Poirier's farewell. After 18 years as an active MMA fighter, the gloves are hung up after Poirier fought for the symbolic BMF title against Max Holloway at UFC 318.

As always, the main event is not the only action that Come Fight Night will issue. And one of the most fascinating is the return of a once defeated phenoma, the title hopes of which have fallen flat.

Paulo Costa has not fulfilled Dana White's high expectations

Not least Dana White would have predicted the Paulo Costa fall that has taken place in recent years.

The UFC CEO belonged to those who denounced 'Borrachinha' for great things a few years ago when he was a quick and unbeaten up-and-coming stand-up. He mainly had shining praise for Costa after the experienced candidate and winner of the The ultimate fighter Uriah Hall at UFC 226 in 2018.

“I think the child is the next big Brazilian star,” said White at the press conference after the fight. “He is on the way. Good looking, incredible physique and fights like an animal.”

In his next fight, the middleweight, which was widespread at the time, was still white, and Costa beat Yoel Romero in an unforgettable struggle for the night war at UFC 241 in 2019.

Remarkably, Costa has only increased his hand in the six years in the six years. He lost four of his last five fights, including his youngest two against Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland.

In the event of a lack of performance against 'Tarzan' last year, many Costa wrote. But the 34-year-old swore to return to his aggressive former himself-a promise a promise that he wants to deliver at UFC 318 this Saturday.

Israel Adesanya sends Paulo Costa a wake -up call for UFC 318

The man who was responsible for starting the downward spiral of Costa was Israel Adesanya, and the former two -time champion recently had a hard love for his former opponent.

Five years after Adesanya Costa switched off at UFC 253, 'The Last Styebender' asked the Brazilian to become “serious” and to perform after a long inconsistency.

“Costa! Show, man! Simply show them – show them,” said Adesanya on his YouTube channel. “Costa has the goods, but I don't know. Who is he training with now?

“Costa just has to get serious again. Costa is fun, he is entertaining to see … (but) only a few balls show, man.

“Take it seriously. Only F – everything else,” continued Adesanya. “I like Costa. I don't think he's a villain.

Costa has the task of defending his No. 13 in the middle weight against Roman Kopylov in the CO-Main event of UFC 318 on July 19.