Overview
- Paulo Costa posted on X on Monday that he has received “nothing from the UFC” and plans to “fight at an event at the end of the year,” signaling he may compete outside the promotion if talks fail.
- Costa rose to top 205-pound contender after a third-round head-kick knockout of Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 in April but has not been booked since that win.
- UFC CEO Dana White counters that Costa rejected multiple offers, a direct dispute that highlights conflicting accounts about who is blocking a deal.
- Reports say Costa has one fight left on his UFC contract and is prepared to fight out that final bout to free himself to sign elsewhere.
- With light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg sidelined by injury and rival promotions expanding, Costa’s public standoff could complicate UFC matchmaking and increase the chance he pursues options outside the organization.