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Ultimate Fighting Championship
Martial ArtsMixed Martial Arts

UFC 241: Paulo Costa beats Yoel Romero by unanimous decision in explosive fight

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Paulo Costa throws a punch at Yoel Romero in the third round. Photos: AFP
Nicolas Atkin

UFC 241 may have had Daniel Cormier against Stipe Miocic in the main event, and Nate Diaz fighting Anthony Pettis, but it was another bout that many fans were looking forward to most. And Yoel Romero versus Paulo Costa did not disappoint.

One of the greatest fighters yet to win a UFC belt, No 2-ranked middleweight Romero (13-4) took on No 7 Costa (13-0) and the fight was as explosive as we expected. It went the distance with Costa taking a unanimous decision at the Honda Centre in Anaheim, California.

All three judges scored the fight 29-28 in favour of “The Eraser” – his first career decision – with Romero looking bemused, and the crowd erupted into boos.

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“I trained my best for the fight, to fight against this beast, Yoel Romero is a real beast,” Costa said in his post-fight interview inside the Octagon before embracing the Cuban.

Paulo Costa (right) taunts Yoel Romero in the third round. Photo: AFP
Paulo Costa (right) taunts Yoel Romero in the third round. Photo: AFP
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“I come here for one thing, to take my belt, I’ll be waiting for [Israel] Adesanya against [Robert] Whittaker. After this fight I want my chance to prove I’m the champion.”

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