Trash talk, psychological warfare, and pre fight antics are as much part of the game as actual fighting skills. From Conor McGregor’s legendary press conference performances to Chael Sonnen’s masterful verbal assaults, fighters have long understood that battles can be won or lost before they even step into the octagon. However, there’s usually an unwritten line that separates clever banter from crossing into genuinely offensive territory. Paulo Costa recently found himself walking that thin line when he made comments about his upcoming opponent Shara Magomedov. <\/p>
The Brazilian middleweight, known for his powerful striking and colorful personality, suggested he might poke Magomedov in his good eye during their scheduled fight at UFC<\/a> Qatar on November 22. This was a direct reference to Magomedov’s unique situation as a fighter who competes with one eye after losing vision in his left eye during a training accident in Thailand. Costa’s comment didn’t sit well, especially Magomedov’s coach Gor Azizyan, who fired back with his own pointed response.<\/p>Shara Magomedov’s Coach Torches Paulo Costa<\/h2>