Paulo Costa is the 2nd ranked UFC Middleweight fighter. The 28-year-old is undefeated in MMA and is on a 5 fight win streak in the UFC. However, he is aware of the effects fighting would have on him as he grows older. In a chat with AG Fight, ‘Borrachinha’ spoke about the pitfall of brain damage to fighters. He also revealed when he plans on calling time on his career. 

Paulo Costa Expects to Retire at 36

‘Borrachinha’ declared intentions to retire around 2028 when he will be 36 years old. 

He said, “We know that the brain is made of cells that don’t regenerate anymore, we can only lose them. As you age, that amount of cells decreases, so your reflexes become slower, your speech becomes worse, you forget things. I do some research some times.”

He also calls brain damage a serious issue

“That’s a pretty serious issue because we don’t have the data to find out how much that can affect each of us. Each one will have different symptoms and will react differently to that amount of strikes, What you can do is fight in a way that minimizes those blows to the head. During a training session, you can wear protective gear, like helmets.”

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The 28-year-old adds, “I want to make my career as soon as possible, conquer everything, then I don’t want to fight after I’m 36. I would gladly give them my brain.”

The Brazilian fighter reasons out that it will help tackle the problem in the future. 

MMA is a combat sport where strikes to the head are permitted. In the Octagon 4 ounce gloves are worn that don’t really offer a lot of protection. But training sessions are places where this can be minimized. ‘The Eraser’ says he never spars in MMA gloves. Instead, he opts for 16-ounce gloves to “avoid strikes to the head.”

He was present in the audience at Israel Adesanya’s defense over top-ranked contender Robert Whittaker at UFC 248. Here he was flipped by the champion. A clash between the two undefeated middleweights is enticing and does offer ‘Barrachinha’ the opportunity to conquer everything. 

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