Paulo Costa Looks for Fair Fight as UFC Contract Deadline Nears

Knockout Win Sparks New Frustration

Paulo Costa, 35, is eager to keep the momentum after his recent knockout of previously unbeaten Azamat Murzakanov in March. The victory restored his confidence but also left him uneasy about his pending UFC contract. In a recent social‑media tirade, “Borrachinha” voiced his dismay over being sidelined and looking for a meaningful fight.

Costa’s winning punch at UFC 327 turned the light‑heavyweight landscape upside down the same night. Carlos Ulberg stunned Jiri Prochazka to claim the belt, then suffered an ACL tear that opened the door for an interim title scenario. For Costa, that disruption adds urgency to his search for a proper fight.

After his knockout, Dana White and UFC CBO Hunter Campbell approached him, hailing the win as “the biggest victory of your career.” Yet, according to Costa, the promises haven’t translated into concrete fight offers. “They gave me a s*** offer,” he said, stressing the need for a fair deal or a solid fight.

Failed Swap at UFC Abu Dhabi

UFC officials contacted Costa about stepping in for Khalil Rountree Jr. in the July 25 UFC Abu Dhabi main event against Magomed Ankalaev. Costa declined what would have been his final contractual fight, prompting Bogdan Guskov to fill the spot. “I’m not looking for a short‑notice, five‑round fight in Abu Dhabi,” he explained.

The offer triggered a six‑month contract extension, but Costa sees it as a misstep in negotiations. He described the situation as “some misunderstandings and mistakes” and expressed frustration with the contract language. “I’m a fighter. I just fight,” he added.

The refusal also highlighted his desire for a fight with sufficient preparation time, ideally eight weeks, and opened discussions about fighting at middleweight or heavyweight if needed. His ultimate goal remains an interim title shot, which he believes he deserves after his recent win.

Interim Title Ambitions and Contract Talks

Costa’s UFC record sits at 16‑4 since joining in 2017, and he feels he is in his best shape ever. “I’m a chaos agent. I want the beef, I want the confrontation,” he told fans during a studio interview on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” He is pressing the UFC for a proper fight, warning that without a fair offer he may pursue other opportunities.

He has spoken with Hunter and manager Tiki Ghosn, warning that the current approach “looks bad on the company and yourself.” Costa criticized the power dynamics, noting that fighters often feel pressured into extensions. He added that he is grateful for the UFC’s platform but refuses to be indebted.

The fighter also reached out to Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, planning a California meeting that could open new promotional avenues. While he remains optimistic, Costa concedes that a long‑term UFC deal may be required for the UFC to grant him the interim title fight he seeks.

Media Highlights

Below is the official image from Costa’s victory in Miami, where he turned a dominant performance into a knockout triumph.

The following video captures his recent comments on the current situation.