"Costa has the power advantage"

[JoeRowe]

So far this week I've heard this bandied about by everyone @ MMAFIGHTING, Morning Kombat, & 3PAC. ALL of them are picking Costa to win because of it. Let's take a look at Costa's power shall we?


He has 2 tko wins since 2018 against washed Hendricks & Uriah Hall, that's it. He couldn't even knock down washed Rockhold LOL. Even his spinning-wheelkick didnt have enough to power to drop Whittaker, as DDP rocked Rob just as badly if not worse with a JAB!

These people comparing Costa's power to Alex Pereira are fucking insane &/or ignorant. I mean Paulo is fun & I'm glad he's being active, even tho "the secret juice" gimmick is well beyond its expiration date, but the mass-formation wishful group-think is wildy perplexing.

Meanwhile Sean has finished Allen, Abus, & dropped Izzy since the last time Costa finished a foe, yet is considered pillow-fisted by these same "experts".

It just shows how they can't compartmentalize reason from emotion & be objective with fighters they hate, ala Strickland. Mind you these are the same people who bitched(rightfully) about Colby's undeserved title shot while campaigning for Chito & Poirier's. How is it so hard for these people to be honest & have actual standards?

No wonder youtubers like MMAGuru & Lucas Tracy are getting more views from mma fans these days. I suppose Honesty & authenticity go a long way.

Am I right or is Costa truly a devastating power striker that coincidentally doesn't finish or drop anyone?

 

[mkt]

I agree. No finishes for Costa since 2018 and most of his earlier UFC finishes were against washed guys.

 

[Dana's Conscience]

Costa doesn't have a W over someone on the current roster

 

[Arm Barbarian]

Both guys are more accumulation strikers.

 

[ArmenianAssasin]

on paper maybe

but costa throws wild big shots - hurt whittaker last fight out

stickland is a volume/jab/pressure fighter

 

[NoSmilez]

Use your eyes. One man obviously tries to throw hard while the other pokes at his opponent. Power doesn't mean you can land consistently on an opponent.

 

[JoeRowe]

I agree. No finishes for Costa since 2018 and most of his earlier UFC finishes were against washed guys.

2018* good call, will edit from 2017. My mistake

 

[Conan the K-9]

I don’t get why people are so upset about this.
Costa is obviously not a ko. artist, but he sure is one of the most explosive athletes in the roster and he throws every strike with power, not just to touch.
They both are finishing guys with volume and accumulation damage, but they still have very different styles to do that.

 

[JoeRowe]

on paper maybe

but costa throws wild big shots - hurt whittaker last fight out

stickland is a volume/jab/pressure fighter

I covered that in the post. He hurt Rob with a spinning wheelkick, less so than DDP's jab. He also lost 14:50 seconds of that fight.

 

[JoeRowe]

I don’t get why people are so upset about this.
Costa is obviously not a ko. artist, but he sure is one of the most explosive athletes in the roster and he throws every strike with power, not just to touch.
They both are finishing guys with volume and accumulation damage, but they still have very different styles to do that.

He looks explosive but there's no proof in his pudding.

 

[Conan the K-9]

He looks explosive but there's no proof in his pudding.

Yes there are. Just check how he just gets up or reverses takedowns.

 

[JoeRowe]

Yes there are. Just check how he just gets up or reverses takedowns.

That's a very fair point, sir. I stand corrected. I was actually super-impressed with his grappling vs Luke.

But for whatever reason it doesn't translate to his striking flavored pudding.

 

[Conan the K-9]

That's a very fair point, sir. I stand corrected. I was actually super-impressed with his grappling vs Luke.

But for whatever reason it doesn't translate to his striking flavored pudding.

All his sparring partners tell that he’s an extraordinary explosive individual, and how he throws his kicks makes him very dangerous. Even Nicksick has been saying this in his interviews.

 

[blaseblase]

Costa: 78% of his wins are by knockout
Strickland: 38% of his wins are by knockout

Costa hits harder.

 

[JoeRowe]

Costa: 78% of his wins are by knockout
Strickland: 38% of his wins are by knockout

Costa hits harder.

Then why couldn't he drop or even wobble Luke Rockhold?

 

[TempleoftheDog]

Hasn’t had a finish since 226.

You need to understand his fans.

It’s not about activity, ranking, winning, and losing, or that he will never fight for the title again. It’s about his muscles (physical appearance), to them.

He only fights, and loses once a year, anyway. So just the casual nature of the thing is good enough for them, I guess? They don’t even remember his last fight. But they’re dying to see his next one.

It’s the “secret juice” his fans want.

Edit.

I changed the word from sauce to juice. My error.

 

[Egészségére!]

He’s not heavy handed but he puts a lot into his punches

He did drop Yoel though not many can say that

 

[MAlexander22]

Bit unfair. Nobody knocks out Yoel or Vettori. Whittaker is generally a pretty durable guy, but he can be hurt easier than the latter two.

 

[KOPPE]

Costa obviously has raw power, but hes just a very bad striker with T-rex arms.

 

[KOPPE]

Bit unfair. Nobody knocks out Yoel or Vettori. Whittaker is generally a pretty durable guy, but he can be hurt easier than the latter two.

Getting outboxd by Vettori is crazy.