Paulo Costa has stated he is prepared to compete for the light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev. According to Costa, Carlos Ulberg is sidelined for a year following surgery, as confirmed in a conversation between the two yesterday. With Ulberg out of action, Costa believes the UFC should arrange another title fight—either for an interim or vacant belt—and he intends to participate. Costa asserts he should be next in line to fight for the championship.
Paulo Costa has publicly declared his intention to fight Magomed Ankalaev for the light heavyweight title, positioning himself as the logical replacement after Carlos Ulberg was ruled out of action for approximately one year following surgery.
Costa, 35, is a Brazilian middleweight ranked thirteenth in that division with a professional record of 16-4-0. Known as "The Eraser," he fights out of an orthodox stance at six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach. His offensive output is notable — he lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the more prolific pressure strikers in the sport. Costa says he spoke directly with Ulberg, who confirmed the injury timeline, and has since called on the UFC to arrange a title bout at 205 pounds, whether for an interim or vacant belt.
Ulberg, also 35, fights out of New Zealand's City Kickboxing and held the number-three ranking in the light heavyweight division before his injury. Standing six-foot-four at 193 cm with a 77-inch reach, "Black Jag" carries a 15-1-0 record and lands 6.54 significant strikes per minute. His absence creates an immediate vacancy near the top of the division.
Ankalaev, the man Costa wants to face, is ranked first in the light heavyweight division and sits fifth in the pound-for-pound standings with a record of 21-2-1. The 34-year-old Russian from Gorets Fight Club stands six-foot-three and relies on a more measured striking approach, landing 3.65 significant strikes per minute while averaging 0.79 takedowns per fifteen minutes.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's year-long absence removes the division's number-three contender from the title picture
- Costa is lobbying for a vacant or interim belt fight, which could reshape the 205-pound landscape
- A striking-heavy matchup between Costa and Ankalaev would contrast markedly different output styles — 6.26 versus 3.65 significant strikes per minute
