Salt Lake City, UT — In case you were wondering, Paulo Costa says it’s really him running his Twitter account.
“Just me. 100%. 100%, believe [it],” Costa (13-2) said during this week’s UFC 278 media day, ahead of his fight against former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champ Luke Rockhold. “I may be a fun guy, but it’s 100% me.”
Costa’s social media presence has been the stuff of legend, and he certainly had a smile on his face Wednesday while claiming it was all him. So maybe take that with a grain of salt. On a more serious note, Costa stated that he hadn’t seen much of the vitriol hurled at him after his fight with Marvin Vettori was bumped to light heavyweight — a result of Costa mismanaging his weight.
“I don’t see the bad part of this. I just focus on the good things,” Costa told media outlets including Cageside Press. “I think the haters will always be haters, but these are just a little part of the audience and fans. Most people are supportive the whole time, and I’m very happy for that.”
Costa says he’s been focused on himself and his work, and not on what fans and other fighters have been saying. And in terms of preparing for an opponent who hasn’t fought in several years, it hasn’t really changed anything.
“I prepare the same for everybody. I don’t prepare looking [at] how good or not my opponent will be,” Costa stated. “I prepare to bring my best performance.”
With that in mind, “I have no doubt I will win next Saturday because he’s not more prepared,” said Costa. And because of “my ability, my power, and my prime that I bring for this fight.”
Watch the full UFC 278 media day appearance from middleweight Paulo Costa above.
