Paulo Costa Claims To Be 'Completely New Fighter' Than In Luke Rockhold Win Ahead Of UFC 298 Return: 'Smarter, Stronger...'

Middleweight contender Paulo Costa is vowing to show fans a new version of "Borrachinha" when he makes his long-awaited return at UFC 298 later today.

Having had a contractual despite and subsequent injury keep him out of action since a victory over Luke Rockhold back in August 2022, Costa will look to put his name back into the title mix at 185 pounds.

He'll have the chance to do so tonight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, where the Brazilian is tasked with sending former champion Robert Whittaker to the first losing skid of his middleweight career.

Costa will enter his comeback fight as the underdog, and many have pointed to his performance against an aging and inactive Rockhold 18 months ago to doubt his chances against "The Reaper."

But according to "Borrachinha," he'll enter the Octagon as a "completely new fighter."

Costa Claims To Have Made Night & Day Improvements Since Rockhold Win

During a fight week interview for UFC.com, Costa looked ahead to his return to the cage and assessed the man at the expense of whom he's looking to vault into title contention.

The Brazilian addressed concerns about his form last time out, insisting that the iteration of him that will make the walk tonight at UFC 298 will be a far cry from that witnessed by the Salt Lake City crowd in 2022.

"I'm happy because I am a different fighter from that fight when I fought Luke in 2022," Costa said. "It's great because I am a completely new fighter, I think. Smarter, stronger, jacked (laughs)... faster, more experienced. So, it's ultimate power, I think."

Costa will look to prove as much when he takes to the Octagon in Anaheim tonight, joining a championship contest and a host of other intriguing matchups on the stacked lineup set for the Honda Center.