TLDR
- Paulo Costa turned down a short-notice fight against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25
- Costa said the UFC offered no extra money despite 13 days notice and a five-round main event fight
- The Brazilian currently weighs 234 pounds and would need 7-8 weeks to properly cut to 205 pounds
- Costa compared the situation to Francis Ngannou’s departure, criticizing UFC’s negotiation tactics
- The fight would have been the last on Costa’s current UFC contract, putting him one win from a title shot
Sources: sports.yahoo.com | sherdog.com
Paulo Costa revealed he turned down a short-notice fight against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi because the promotion offered no extra money for the difficult assignment. The Brazilian fighter shared details of the declined offer during an interview with Ariel Helwani on Monday.
Ankalaev needed a new opponent after Khalil Rountree Jr. pulled out due to injury. The UFC contacted Costa to replace Rountree in the main event scheduled for July 25 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
Costa said the offer came with less than 14 days to prepare. He would have faced a 16-hour flight to Abu Dhabi and a five-round fight for the same pay he would receive for a regular bout.
“It’s so short notice, less than 14 days to get a flight to Abu Dhabi,” Costa explained. “16-hour flight to Abu Dhabi, five rounds, for the same money, and not for an interim belt—I don’t think that makes sense right now.”
🚨 Paulo Costa reveals he turned DOWN an offer to fight Magomed Ankalaev on short-notice
"They called me yesterday. It's too short notice, less than 14 days.16-hour flight,five rounds for the same money, no interim belt. It doesn't makes sense right now.#UFC #UFCabudhabi #MMA pic.twitter.com/0tlJfTT5Tn
— VICK D VILLAIN!!! (@Verere_V) July 14, 2026
Weight Cut Challenges Added to Decision
The weight cut presented another major obstacle for Costa. He currently weighs 234 pounds and estimated he would need seven to eight weeks to make the 205-pound light heavyweight limit properly.
Costa recently moved up to light heavyweight and knocked out previously unbeaten Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 in April. The victory earned him a spot in the division’s top 10 rankings.
The Brazilian is on a two-fight winning streak after also defeating Roman Kopylov. He is likely one win away from a title shot in the light heavyweight division.
Fighter Criticizes UFC Negotiation Tactics
Costa took to social media to express his frustration with the offer. “Hey I have a great deal for you: NON TITLE Fight in 13 days short notice, Abu Dhabi, 5 rounds, same money, nothing better,” he wrote on X.
The fighter criticized the UFC’s negotiation approach. He compared the situation to how the promotion handled talks with former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who left the UFC after failed contract negotiations.
“The way they handled these negotiations, I don’t think it’s the best way,” Costa said. “I think they push good talents away from them. They create a distance; they create beef between fighters and the guy who negotiates.”
Costa has been vocal about his frustrations with getting fights booked. The Ankalaev fight would have been the final bout on his current UFC contract.
Winning against Ankalaev could have put Costa in a strong negotiating position as a free agent. However, he felt the risk of fighting a decorated former champion on short notice without extra pay was not worth it.
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The UFC instead booked Bogdan Guskov to face Ankalaev. Guskov was pulled from his planned rematch with Jan Blachowicz to fill the main event slot.
Costa holds a professional record of 16-4. He previously challenged for the UFC middleweight title but has since found success at light heavyweight after moving up in weight.
