In one of the most entertaining fights of 2019, Paulo Costa earned a unanimous decision victory over Yoel Romero at UFC 241.
All three judges scored the middleweight bout 29-28, though the fight appeared close through three rounds.
Both Costa and Romero landed numerous heavy blows in each round, with the Cuban taking a barrage of body shots and emerging seemingly unfazed.
The Brazilian contender pressured his opponent early but appeared to slow down as the fight continued. He took a total of 96 head strikes from Romero.
Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) and Yoel Romero combine for 243 significant strikes landed, the 3rd-largest combined tally in @UFC middleweight history. #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/ghApwV0fOJ
— UFC News (@UFCNews) August 18, 2019
Costa remains undefeated, moving to 13-0 after his impressive win. Following the bout, the 28-year-old said he's waiting for the winner of Israel Adesanya-Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 in October, according to ESPN's Ariel Helwani.
Meanwhile, Romero drops to 13-4. Despite impressive efforts in his recent battles, the 42-year-old has now dropped three of his last four fights.