Paulo Costa has stated he is ready to fight for the light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev. According to Costa, current champion Carlos Ulberg is out for a year due to surgery. Costa spoke to Ulberg yesterday and learned about the surgery plans. Costa believes the UFC should organize either a temporary or vacant title fight, and he intends to compete for the belt next. He stated that he should be next in line to fight for the championship.
Paulo Costa has publicly called for a light heavyweight title shot against Magomed Ankalaev, citing a reported year-long absence for champion Carlos Ulberg following surgery.
Costa, who competes at middleweight and holds a 16-4 record, said he spoke directly with Ulberg and learned the New Zealand champion is facing a significant recovery timeline. The 35-year-old Brazilian, ranked 13th in the middleweight division, is pushing the UFC to organize either a temporary or vacant title fight at 205 pounds and has declared himself next in line for the belt. A standout striker, Costa lands an impressive 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy across his career.
Ulberg, also 35, won the light heavyweight title carrying a 15-1 record and holds the number-three divisional ranking. The City Kickboxing product stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute. If Costa's account of the injury is accurate, Ulberg's absence would create a substantial vacancy at the top of the 205-pound division.
Ankalaev, ranked first in the light heavyweight division and fifth pound-for-pound, carries a 21-2-1 record and represents the most logical opponent for any interim title scenario. The 34-year-old Russian stands six-foot-three and averages 0.79 takedowns per 15 minutes, adding a grappling dimension to his composed striking game.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's reported surgery could open the door for an interim or vacant title bout at 205 pounds
- Ankalaev, ranked first in the division, is the natural opponent for any championship fight in Ulberg's absence
- Costa would be crossing divisions from middleweight, making his ranking implications at light heavyweight unclear
- The matchup would pit two high-volume orthodox strikers against Ankalaev's well-rounded, methodical game
