Borrachinha downplays defeat to Adesanya, recalls wine episode and highlights change after victory at UFC 318

I. Adesanya (top) knocked out P. Borrachinha Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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In the co-main event of UFC 318, Paulo borrachinha overcame Roman Kopylov and put an end to a bad streak that had lasted for years. The Brazilian, who had won just one of his five fights, showed signs of renewal, but made a point of disregarding one of the negative results of this period.

In the press conference after the event, Borrachinha downplayed the defeat to Israel adesanya and stated that the conditions of the Abu Dhabi card completely hampered his preparation. According to him, the short interval between the weigh-in and the fight compromised his physical recovery and affected his performance.

"I don't even count that loss to Adesanya, because I don't want to give him credit. But man, I didn't sleep. It was Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi is crazy, because we make weight on Friday morning and the fight was on Saturday morning. Saturday, at 5 or 6 a.m. So I didn't have time to recover. It was horrible for me," said Borrachinha.

Borrachinha admits strategic failures in defeats

Sean Strickland (dir.) reaches Paulo borrachinha (left) in UFC 302. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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The Brazilian also recalled the controversial wine incident, admitting he was practically drunk on the night of the fight. Therefore, he doesn't consider that result representative. He then questioned the judging in the fight against Marvin vettori and acknowledged that he could have performed better in the defeats to Robert whittaker e Sean Strickland, but admitted that the problem was strategic.

"Everyone knows that wine story. I was practically drunk. So I don't talk about that fight. After that, against Vettori, I don't think the result was very fair. Then I beat Luke and had two losses. Those two hurt me. Because I was there. I could have done better, but my game plan, my strategy, wasn't good," continued the Brazilian.

A change in mentality makes Borrachinha reclaim his aggressive style

Paulo borrachinha knocked down Roman Kopylov with a punch. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufcindia

According to Borrachinha, the turnaround came after a change in mindset encouraged by his coaches. Abandoning his withdrawn style, the Minas Gerais native returned to his roots and adopted a more aggressive stance, relying on his strength and pressing as his differentiators.

"I was backing off and waiting to counterattack, instead of going forward. And the coaches changed my mindset, my game plan. They said, 'Paulo, no. You're the hunter, you know? You're the bully. You need to go forward, press, use your hands and your kicks. They're so strong, maybe the strongest in the division. And here I am." Paulo borrachinha.

Paulo Borrachinha x Khamzat Chimaev

After the victory at UFC 318, Paulo borrachinha raised the tone in the interview and challenged Khamzat ShimaevAccording to the Brazilian, the motive is personal: the Chechen had allegedly sent messages to his wife on social media. Chimaev, for his part, denies the accusation and claims that it was Borrachinha's wife who contacted him first.