Magomed Ankalaev

Paulo Costa has publicly declared he has one fight remaining on his UFC contract, with his pay structured for a three-round bout rather than five rounds. Costa has presented the promotion with three options: honour the agreed three-round fight against any light heavyweight on the roster, book a five-round fight within six weeks with a corresponding pay increase, or release him from his contract immediately. Costa made clear he prefers either of the first two options over a release.

Costa

Paulo Costa and Magomed Ankalaev have mutually agreed to fight each other, with both expressing willingness to meet before the end of the year, potentially in November or December. Ankalaev confirmed through his manager Ali Abdelaziz that UFC matchmakers Hunter and Mick have offered him the bout three or four times and he accepted every time. The holdup is a pay dispute: Costa refuses to fight five rounds at three-round pay, while Ankalaev challenged him to accept a five-round main event slot, noting Costa is 0-3 in five-round fights.

Costa