Paulo Costa has gone public with his frustration over the UFC's failure to book his next fight. The former middleweight title challenger says that since his win over Azamat he has been seeking bouts at light heavyweight, middleweight, and even heavyweight, but UFC executive Hunter Campbell has repeatedly told him to wait. Costa has one fight remaining on his contract and wants it booked soon.
Paulo Costa has gone public with his frustration over the UFC's handling of his career, revealing that the promotion has left him idle despite his efforts to secure a booking across multiple weight classes.
The 35-year-old Brazilian, ranked 13th in the middleweight division, carries a professional record of 16 wins and 4 losses. Known as "The Eraser," Costa stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach and trains out of Team Borracha. He is among the most aggressive strikers in the division, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. Following his victory over Azamat, Costa says he reached out about potential fights at light heavyweight, middleweight, and even heavyweight, only to be told repeatedly by UFC executive Hunter Campbell to wait. With one fight left on his contract, Costa is pushing for that bout to be scheduled without further delay.
Why it matters
- Costa's contract situation adds urgency — one fight remaining means his UFC future becomes a genuine open question if the bout is not booked soon.
- His willingness to move up to light heavyweight or even heavyweight signals flexibility, potentially opening matchups in multiple divisions.
- At 35 and ranked 13th at middleweight, Costa will want competitive, high-profile fights to maintain his divisional standing and marketability.
