The Peninsula
Sean Strickland's tactical prowess took center stage at UFC 302, as he secured a unanimous decision win over Paulo Costa in a five-round battle at Prudential Center. Despite the audience's mixed reactions, Strickland's strategic approach proved overwhelming for Costa, who struggled to find his rhythm against Strickland's relentless pressure and defensive tactics.
Throughout the fight, Costa faced challenges in landing significant strikes, experiencing knockdowns in Round 1 and absorbing a staggering jab in Round 3. In a final flurry of aggression in Round 5, Strickland showcased his dominance with a series of dynamic kicks and punches, solidifying his victory.
While one judge scored the bout in favor of Costa, the majority sided with Strickland, who now sets his sights on a title shot following his commendable performance against Costa.
The win marks Strickland's return to the win column after a previous title loss, highlighting his resilience and determination in the octagon. On the other hand, Costa's defeat extends his recent struggles, reflecting a challenging period with a 1-4 record in his last five fights.
Despite the outcome, both fighters demonstrated their prowess and resilience, setting the stage for future matchups and opportunities in the competitive landscape of UFC.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 302 results include:
Islam Makhachev def. Dustin Poirier via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 5, 2:42
Sean Strickland def. Paulo Costa via split decision (46-49, 50-45, 49-46)
Kevin Holland def. Michal Oleksiejczuk via technical submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:34
Niko Price def. Alex Morono via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Randy Brown def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Roman Kopylov def. Cesar Almeida via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Jailton Almeida def. Alexandr Romanov via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:27
Grant Dawson def. Joe Solecki via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Jake Matthews def. Phil Rowe via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Bassil Hafez def. Mickey Gall via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Ailin Perez def. Joselyne Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Andre Lima def. Mitch Raposo via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)