Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa are scheduled to fight in the co-main event of UFC 302 on June 2. But, it seems like the fight may not go through as Strickland has claimed that Costa is yet to sign the contract for their slated middleweight bout. In a recent video, ‘Tarzan’ termed the Brazilian not having agreed to their fight on paper as cowardice, imploring ‘Borrachinha’ to sign the contract and not disappoint the fans, as he has done so many times in his MMA career.

Costa, of course, is famous for pulling out of fights, with him having five canceled fights and just three bouts that materialized since his 2020 loss to then-champion Israel Adesanya. And Strickland speculated that after this loss, something has gone wrong with Costa’s psyche, which has led him to be so inconsistent.

“Goddamn Costa, I’ve heard you’ve yet to sign that contract. And I’ll tell you what, man, I didn’t f***ing believe it. I did not think you’d react like a coward. I thought you would man up, sack up, and instead you’re acting like you’ve got ovaries,” Strickland said in his signature irreverent fashion in a video uploaded on his official Instagram handle.

“I did all the right things, gave you the benefit of the doubt. I’m not a Googler, but I noticed something man, after you fought Izzy, you went downhill. You sent deep my man. I don’t know what happened in that f***ing little pea brain you have. But let me tell you something, you’re being a weak f**ing man… Don’t disappoint me, don’t disappoint the fans, let me make you f**ing bleed,” the former middleweight champion added.

While the American seems to be concerned for Costa’s mental well-being and offered to help him get a therapist, it is important to note that it is not confirmed whether Costa has signed a contract to fight Strickland yet. While ‘Tarzan’ will undoubtedly have the inside scoop on the topic, ‘Borrachinha’ or the UFC are yet to comment on it.

Strickland-Costa winner may fight for title next

Sean Strickland, coming off of a tough split decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297, has been denied an immediate rematch by the UFC, despite both men (and the fans) being on board. ‘Tarzan’s coach, Eric Nicksick, revealed he recently met ‘DDP’ and the South African told him his team had asked for a rematch with Strickland.

Instead, ‘Stillknocks’ will face former champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 305 on August 18, 2024, to resolve the bad blood festering between them since last year. Similarly, Costa, too, is coming off of a valiant loss: to former champion Robert Whittaker at their UFC 298 bout in February. While the Brazilian lost by unanimous decision, his willingness to stand and go toe to toe with the Kiwi earned him praise from fans and analysts.

And the winner of the upcoming fight between Strickland and Costa may well find himself at the front of the line to fight for the title against the winner of Adesanya vs Du Plessis bout. If, that is, their fight actually goes through, and the UFC doesn’t parachute Khamzat Chimaev to a 185-pound title shot.

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