Paulo Costa has spoken out about his frustration with the UFC, saying that since his victory over Azamat he has been searching for his next fight without success. Costa revealed he is open to competing at light heavyweight, middleweight, or heavyweight, but UFC executive Hunter Campbell has told him to keep waiting. With one fight remaining on his contract, Costa says he wants to compete soon and cannot understand why the bout is not being made.
Paulo Costa is speaking out against the UFC, claiming the promotion is leaving him idle despite having one fight remaining on his contract.
The Brazilian middleweight, who competes out of Team Borracha, says that following his victory over Azamat he has actively sought his next opponent but has been met with silence. Costa says UFC executive Hunter Campbell has told him to keep waiting, a situation the 35-year-old says he cannot understand. In an effort to make himself as bookable as possible, Costa says he is willing to compete at middleweight, light heavyweight, or heavyweight.
Ranked 13th in the middleweight division, Costa carries a professional record of 16 wins and 4 losses. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, he is one of the more physically imposing fighters in the 185-pound weight class. His striking numbers reflect his aggressive style — he lands an eye-catching 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, figures that rank among the elite in the division.
Why it matters
- Costa has only one fight left on his deal, giving him leverage but also uncertainty about his future with the promotion.
- His willingness to move up to light heavyweight or even heavyweight could open matchmaking options that rarely present themselves for a middleweight.
- At 35 years old, Costa has limited time to remain in his athletic prime, making the inactivity more costly for him than for the UFC.
Costa's frustration adds to a broader conversation about how the UFC manages fighters in the final stretch of their contracts. With his striking output and name recognition, a willing opponent should not be difficult to source, yet the fight remains unmade.
