Middleweight contender Paulo Costa picked up his fourth victory under the UFC banner at UFC 226, defeating Uriah Hall by second round TKO.
UFC President Dana White has been impressed with Costa?s run in the UFC and he is ready to proclaim the fighter to be the next big UFC star from Brazil.
?Yeah,? said White at the UFC 226 post-fight press conference. ?I think that kid is the next big Brazilian star. He?s on his way; he?s good looking, an incredible physique and fights like an animal.?
Costa has also picked up victories over former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks, Oluwale Bamgbose and Garreth McClellan during his in the promotion.
One major reason that White is high on Costa is due to the beating Costa gave Hall this past weekend, as White is also impressed by the TUF alumni?s performance.
?I was also impressed with Uriah Hall. The guy I thought Uriah Hall was gonna be at the end of The Ultimate Fighter was the guy that I saw tonight. That was the guy that I expected him to be after The Ultimate Fighter. He fougth an incredible fight tonight. He was in his face, every time he got hit he would punch back with two or three punches. It was awesome, great fight,? says White.
There is no word on whom Costa may fight next, as the Brazilian sits at #8 in the UFC Middleweight Division rankings.