Randy Costa Explained

Randy Costa
Other Names:The Zohan
Birth Name:Randy Costa[1]
Birth Date:6 July 1994
Birth Place:Taunton, Massachusetts, United States
Weight Lb:135
Reach:73.0 in[2]
Fighting Out Of:Taunton, Massachusetts
Team:Lauzon Mixed Martial Arts[3]
American Top Team (2020–present)[4]
Sanford MMA (2020–present)[5]
Years Active:2018–present
Mma Kowin:8
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Subloss:2
Sherdog:189731

Randy Costa (born July 6, 1994) is an American professional mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Bantamweight division. A professional since 2018, he most notably fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

Costa began to box in the sixth grade and then got into kickboxing in the eighth grade. He later wrestled for Taunton High School as a junior in the 160-pound weight class. Adding the element of jiu-jitsu, Costa began training for an MMA career during the summer between his junior and senior years at Taunton High. Costa was a student-athlete at Taunton High. He played football as a freshman, sophomore, and junior. Costa was selected as the Defensive Player of The Game following the Tigers' 35-7 Thanksgiving Day win over Coyle-Cassidy in 2010 at Aleixo Stadium.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Starting his professional career in 2018, Costa fought only for the Cage Titans organization, compiling a perfect 4–0 record with all the wins coming via stoppage in the first round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Costa made his UFC debut against Brandon Davis on April 13, 2019 at UFC 236.[7] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[8]

Costa faced Boston Salmon on October 18, 2019 at . He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[9]

Costa faced Journey Newson on September 19, 2020 at [10] He won the fight via knockout in round one.[11] This win earned him his first Performance of the Night award.[12]

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Costa was expected to face Trevin Jones on March 6, 2021 at UFC 259.[13] [14] However, Costa withdrew from the bout in mid-February citing injury and was replaced by Mario Bautista.[15] [16]

Costa faced Adrian Yañez at on July 24, 2021.[17] Despite a strong first round for Costa, he lost the fight by technical knockout in round two.[18]

Costa faced Tony Kelley on December 11, 2021 at UFC 269.[19] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[20]

Costa faced Guido Cannetti on October 1, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 211.[21] He was submitted by Cannetti via rear-naked choke in the first round.[22]

On October 20, 2022, it was announced that Costa was no longer on the UFC roster.[23]

Gamebred Fighting Championship

In his first fight since his release, Costa returned to the featherweight division to face Carlos Espinosa on June 16, 2023, at Combat FC 4. Costa won the bout via first minute TKO.[24]

Costa faced Jason Knight in a bare-knuckle bout on November 10, 2023, at Gamebred FC 6.[25] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[26]

Personal life

Costa graduated from Taunton High in the spring of 2012 and then headed to Massasoit Community College in Brockton. He transferred to Bridgewater State University where he majored in political science.[27]

Costa's longtime friend and former training partner, Devin Carrier, died in a car crash in 2016 when Carrier was 21 years old. Costa brings a picture of his friend to weigh-ins.[28]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center|8-4|Jason Knight|TKO (punches)||Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA: Nelson vs. Belcher||align=center|1|align=center|1:41|Biloxi, Mississippi, United States||-|Win| align=center|7–4|Carlos Espinosa|TKO (body punches)|Combat FC 4||align=center|1|align=center|0:58|Wilmington, Massachusetts, United States||-|Loss| align=center|6–4|Guido Cannetti|Submission (rear-naked choke)|||align=center|1|align=center|1:04|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Loss| align=center|6–3| Tony Kelley| TKO (elbows)|UFC 269|| align=center|2| align=center|4:15|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|6–2|Adrian Yañez|TKO (punches)| ||align=center|2|align=center|2:11|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Win| align=center| 6–1| Journey Newson| KO (head kick)| | | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:41| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Win| align=center| 5–1| Boston Salmon| TKO (punches)| ||align=Center|1|align=center|2:15|Boston, Massachusetts, United States| |-| Loss| align=center| 4–1| Brandon Davis|Submission (rear-naked choke) |UFC 236 ||align=center|2|align=center|1:12|Atlanta, Georgia, United States||-| Win| align=center| 4–0| Rob Fuller| TKO (punches)| Cage Titans 42| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:42| Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 3–0| Chris Thorne| KO (punches to the body)| Cage Titans 41| | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:11| Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States||-| Win| align=center| 2–0| Kenny Lewis| KO (head kick)| Cage Titans 40| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:11| Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States||-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Stacey Anderson| TKO| Cage Titans 39| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:46| Kingston, Massachusetts, United States|[29] |

Notes and References

  1. http://boxing.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/boxingnvgov/content/results/2020_Results/09-19-20MMA.pdf Mixed martial arts show results Date: September 19, 2020
  2. Web site: ufc.com. Randy Costa. 2020-09-18. ufc.
  3. Web site: UFC: Randy Costa Hints at Late Summer Return: "I love the fight, I'll just say it'll be an exciting one". Joe McDonagh. July 6, 2020. cagesidepress.com.
  4. Web site: UFC: Randy Costa Hints at Late Summer Return: "I love the fight, I'll just say it'll be an exciting one". Joe McDonagh. July 6, 2020. cagesidepress.com.
  5. Web site: UFC 259's Randy Costa hopes to continue gaining promotional push with fan-friendly style. December 5, 2020. MMAjunkie.com. Farah Hannoun.
  6. Web site: Taunton's Randy Costa fighting his way to the top. 2014-10-16. Wicked Local. en. 2020-09-17.
  7. Web site: Brandon Davis meets undefeated newcomer Randy Costa during UFC 236 in Atlanta. Marcel Dorff. mmadnanl.com. 2019-03-20. 2019-03-21. nl.
  8. Web site: UFC 236 results: Brandon Davis throws down with Randy Costa before scoring submission win. 2019-04-13. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-04-14.
  9. Web site: Randy Costa shares personal moment with Boston Salmon after TKO win at UFC on ESPN 6. 2019-10-18. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-09-16.
  10. Web site: UFC adds Randy Costa vs. Journey Newson to Sept. 26 event. 2020-08-13. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-09-16.
  11. Web site: Evanoff. Josh. 2020-09-19. UFC Vegas 11 Results: Randy Costa Lands Dazzling Head Kick KO on Journey Newson. 2020-09-20. Cageside Press. en-US.
  12. Web site: 2020-09-20. UFC on ESPN+ 36 Bonuses: Four Fighters Get Performance Checks. 2020-09-20. MMA News. en-US.
  13. Web site: 2020-11-28. Randy Costa vs. Trevin Jones on tap for UFC event on March 6. 2020-11-29. MMA.uno. en-US.
  14. 1331340177688715264. Randy Costa. November 24, 2020. RandyCosta135. New 4 fight contract: ✅ Bout Agreement: ✅ ….
  15. Web site: Randy Costa withdraws from UFC 259; Trevin Jones needs new opponent. Nolan King. February 16, 2021. MMAjunkie.com.
  16. Web site: With Randy Costa out, Trevin Jones meets Mario Bautista at UFC 259 on March 6. MMAjunkie.com. Farah Hannoun. 2021-02-18. 2021-02-18.
  17. Web site: 2021-04-27. Reese's vs. Dr. Pepper: Randy Costa, Adrian Yanez to settle friendly score at UFC event July 24. 2021-04-27. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  18. Web site: 2021-04-27. Reese's vs. Dr. Pepper: Randy Costa, Adrian Yanez to settle friendly score at UFC event July 24. 2021-04-27. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  19. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2021-09-04. Randy Costa vs. Tony Kelley toegevoegd aan UFC 269 op 11 december. 2021-09-04. MMA DNA. en-US.
  20. Web site: Behunin. Alex. 2021-12-11. UFC 269: Tony Kelley Smashes Randy Costa for Second Round TKO Win. 2021-12-13. Cageside Press. en-US.
  21. Web site: Randy Costa vs. Guido Cannetti Booked for UFC's October 1 Card. cagesidepress.com. Jay Anderson. 2022-06-17. 2022-06-17.
  22. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2022-10-01 . UFC Vegas 61: Oldest Bantamweight in UFC, Guido Cannetti Subs Randy Costa In Little Over a Minute . 2022-10-02 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  23. Web site: Martin . Damon . 2022-10-20 . Yamato Nishikawa removed from UFC 280 lineup, dropped from the roster; Randy Costa also released by UFC . 2022-10-20 . MMA Fighting . en.
  24. Web site: AlexBehunin . 2023-06-18 . Highlights! Former UFC fighter Crushes Opponent In 58 Seconds . 2023-09-21 . MMAmania.com . en.
  25. Web site: 2023-09-20 . UFC alums Jason Knight, Randy Costa take gloves off for Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA fight . 2023-09-21 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  26. Web site: Sherdog.com . Alan Belcher Notches Split-Decision Victory Against Roy Nelson at Gamebred FC 6 . 2023-11-12 . Sherdog . en.
  27. Web site: Taunton's Randy Costa fighting his way to the top. 2014-10-16. Wicked Local. en. 2020-09-17.
  28. Web site: '$50,000 fireworks show': UFC's Randy Costa letting fights do the talking as he looks to honor fallen friend's legacy. 2014-09-11. SOT Sports. en. 2020-09-17.
  29. Web site: Sherdog.com. Randy Costa. 2020-08-07. Sherdog.

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