Sean Strickland defeats Paulo Costa at UFC 302 with judges' scorecards revealed

Sean Strickland wins UFC 302 co-main event with split decision over Paulo Costa. Impressive performance sets him up for title shot.

In a thrilling showdown at UFC 302, Sean Strickland emerged victorious with a split decision win over Paulo Costa in the co-main event held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The judges' decision, particularly Dave Tirelli's surprising 49-46 score in favor of Costa, raised eyebrows among spectators.

Costa initially found success with his leg kicks, targeting Strickland's calf and affecting his movement. However, Strickland maintained his trademark pressure throughout the fight, gradually wearing down his opponent. By the second round, Costa struggled to find answers and spent much of the round on the defensive, retreating towards the cage.

Strickland's relentless pressure eventually paid off as he landed a decisive punch that sent Costa to the mat. Despite some effective body shots from Costa, Strickland's jab and unorthodox defense kept him ahead in the fight. In the final moments of the fifth round, Strickland unleashed a flurry of kicks and punches in a bid to finish the fight, showcasing the skills that have made him a force to be reckoned with in the octagon.

This victory marks Strickland's return to the octagon following his loss of the belt to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 292. Strickland's journey in the UFC has been marked by ups and downs, including setbacks against Santiago Ponzinibbio and Kamaru Usman before his move up to the middleweight division. His decision to move up in weight paid off with a surprising upset victory over Israel Adesanya, earning him a UFC championship.

Looking ahead, Strickland is eager for another shot at the title, expressing his desire for a championship fight. While talks of a potential matchup between Du Plessis and Adesanya have been circulating, nothing has been confirmed yet. This leaves Strickland in a position where he may have to wait for his chance at the belt, possibly competing in a title eliminator in the meantime given his active fighting schedule.