Paulo Costa explains crazy fan brawl at UFC 294: 'I need to discipline this guy'

24/10/2023 14:00

Even while injured, Paulo Costa isn't one to take any crap.

For months, Costa has been preparing for Khamzat Chimaev, and this past Saturday, the two were supposed to finally settle their feud in the co-main event of UFC 294. Unfortunately, a serious case of staph infection forced Costa out of the card, and instead, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman stepped in on short notice. But since he was already in Abu Dhabi, Costa still showed up to watch his would-be rival compete, and given the support Chimaev has there, it's perhaps unsurprising that things got a little testy.

When Costa arrived at the Etihad Arena on Saturday, he was greeted by a loud chorus of boos, and before too long, that animosity boiled over into skirmish that had to be broken up by security. Speaking Monday on The MMA Hour, Costa explained exactly how he ended up nearly fighting multiple fans.

"I don't know exactly what these guys were doing over there, but when I get in the arena, I was in the hallway taking pictures with the fans, [people] asked for a photo and selfies," Costa said. "Almost, in the corner, to go to my seat, a guy called me, and when I came to him, he [shot the bird] in my face. So I looked to him and the security is pushing me, like, 'Come on, Paulo. The next fight is coming. We need to clear the hallway for the next match.' But I mocked his face. I mocked his face because I was pissed off. My will is to slap him in the face directly, but I couldn't, so I mocked his face.

"I used the same hallway to go to the restroom and come back to my seat. So I went to the restroom and then came back to look for him. I saw him but he wasn't in the first row anymore, he was in the third row, so it made me more furious because he came to the first row just to shove his finger in my face. So disrespectful. [Laughs.] So I was like, I need to discipline this guy before I go back to watch the fights, because my mind will stay on this guy. This guy is so audacious.

"So I come back and I saw him in the third row and I say, 'Brother, please, come here. I want to do something to you!' He looked at me [with wide eyes] and then he starts to come. But there are a couple of them, like a Chechen gang I think. Maybe three or four, I don't know. When he started to come down to me, somebody held him back, 'Don't go.' Then I grabbed him, and when I grabbed him, another guy tried punching me. The security pulled me out and then the same guy that I was trying to drag out, he jumped at me! Right in front of me. I don't know what he had in mind, but it was not a good idea for him, because once he jumped, he landed in security and his head was right in front of me. So even with my brand new arm, I could land. [Laughs.]

"That's it. More guys tried to jump me, but I don't know these guys and I don't care."

Ultimately, security separated everyone before things got too out of hand and Costa went on about his evening, watching Chimaev eke out a decision win over Usman.

And while he's not fully recovered from the staph infection in his right arm, he says the scuffle on Saturday was a step in the right direction for his recovery.

"It's getting better. Much better," Costa said. "I saw doctors today. The progress is good. I'm happy and proud of this because I've already tested my hand Saturday in the arena. They are so proud of the service because I punched [someone]. They said, 'Paulo, you did pretty well. You are not allowed to do any exercise except beat some Chechen heads if you see them in front of you.' But besides this, 100 percent good. I think we're going to remove [the bandage] Thursday, so then I'll be free."