UFC Fighter Costa Philippou: Up Close and Personal

Costa Philippou makes his return to the UFC Octagon tonight at UFC 140 in Toronto, Canada.  A former boxer, Costa trains out of the Serra-Longo camp on Long Island and is known for his hard hitting hands.  Costa began his professional MMA career fighting at Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat promotion in New Jersey, and amassed a 7-1 record there before being called up to the UFC.

In his last UFC fight, at UFC 133 in Philadelphia, Costa beat Jorge Rivera by decision.  Tonight he faces Jared Hamman, who is 16-3 and coming off a TKO victory over C.B. Dollaway.  Like Costa, Jared likes to throw bombs, and this fight is guaranteed to be fireworks.  Despite a stellar card, there's a good chance that this bout will earn Fight of the Night honors, so be sure to catch it on ION TV.

Kristen Brown did an in depth interview with Costa recently, which I present for your view pleasure here.  Part 2 of the interview after the jump.