Luke Rockhold versus Paulo Costa wasn’t simply a crazy fight. It was a throwback to when UFC was fun. A tribute to a time when fighters were less polished and just went for it. This matchup didn’t need technique or a focus on winning. Instead, the goal was to end the contest.
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From Rockhold wildly throwing kicks to wiping his bloody face on Costa, all three rounds were a sight to behold. If either fighter went into the contest with a game plan, that flew out the window almost immediately. Most of the bout was just two men going for broke.
But there was another element to Luke Rockhold versus Paulo Costa that made it a throwback fight. Both competitors were exhausted, gassed within the first round. This was a reminder of when MMA wasn’t the refined sport we see today. It was a return to the violent, brutal combat that helped build UFC once upon a time.
Rockhold and Costa also talked trashed throughout the fight to give it another element of unpredictability. Watching the former UFC Middleweight Champion lob F-bombs at his Brazilian opponent was awesome. Let’s be real, seeing two fighters touch gloves before each round is not entertaining. In fact, it takes away from proceedings.
Look, single-night tournaments and fighters wearing a gi will never comeback. That’s just the way it is. But the UFC could do with more bouts like this. There is nothing wrong with less polished combatants going for it, flaws be damned.
At the end of the day, the result was irrelevant. Most people don’t really care about who wins and loses in UFC. Fans want to be entertained. And Luke Rockhold versus Paulo Costa was a joy to watch. You can’t help but think the UFC would be better with more fights like this.
It is a shame Rockhold retired after the fight. The sport needs more competitors like him who will go out guns blazing instead of prancing around for a decision.
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