Paulo Costa has declared himself ready to fight for the title against Magomed Ankalaev. Costa revealed that he spoke with Carlos Ulberg yesterday, who informed him that he requires surgery and will be out for a year. With Ulberg sidelined, Costa believes the UFC should organize a title fight, either for an interim or vacant belt. Costa stated that he plans to participate in this opportunity and believes he should be next in line for a championship bout. The post suggests Costa is positioning himself to capitalize on Ulberg's unfortunate injury absence.
Paulo Costa has publicly called for a light heavyweight title shot against Magomed Ankalaev, positioning himself as the logical replacement after Carlos Ulberg disclosed he needs surgery and faces roughly a year on the sidelines.
Costa, nicknamed "The Eraser," carries a 16-4-0 record and currently sits at number 13 in the middleweight division, though his callout targets the light heavyweight championship picture. The 35-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Team Borracha, told Ulberg directly about his availability after the two spoke recently. Costa said he believes the UFC should organize a title fight around the vacancy created by Ulberg's absence, whether for an interim or a full belt, and that he intends to be part of that conversation.
Ulberg, the third-ranked light heavyweight contender, had been working toward a title opportunity before his injury intervened. The New Zealand-based City Kickboxing product holds a 15-1-0 record and has established himself as one of the division's most dangerous strikers, averaging 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, the 35-year-old had all the tools to challenge for gold before surgery derailed his timeline.
Ankalaev, the light heavyweight champion and number-five pound-for-pound fighter in the world, carries a 21-2-1 record into any potential defense. The 34-year-old Russian represents one of the sport's more complete fighters, blending 52 percent striking accuracy with 0.79 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's year-long absence removes the division's top contender and creates a genuine void at the top of the light heavyweight rankings.
- Costa's callout crosses divisional lines, adding an unconventional element to what could become a competitive field of replacements.
- Any interim or vacant belt scenario could accelerate the timeline for Ankalaev's next title defense significantly.
