Paulo Costa says the UFC has repeatedly told him to wait for his next fight since his victory over Azamat, with no bout materializing as of July. The former middleweight title challenger states he is open to competing at light heavyweight or heavyweight in addition to middleweight. Costa has one fight remaining on his contract and believes the promotion is deliberately delaying his booking, knowing that a win would make him a free agent with stronger negotiating leverage.
Paulo Costa is publicly voicing his frustration with the UFC, revealing he has been left waiting for a fight since his win over Azamat, with no booking in place as of July 2026.
Costa, 35, competes at middleweight and currently holds the thirteenth-ranked spot in that division. The Brazilian, who trains out of Team Borracha, carries a professional record of 16 wins and 4 losses and built his reputation as one of the sport's most aggressive strikers. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, he lands an imposing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate — numbers that reflect the relentless pressure style that once brought him to the doorstep of the middleweight title.
With one fight remaining on his current contract, Costa says the UFC has repeatedly instructed him to wait, and he believes the delay is intentional. His reasoning: a win in that final bout would make him a free agent, giving him considerably more leverage in any future contract negotiations. He has stated he is willing to move up to light heavyweight or even heavyweight if that is what it takes to get back inside the octagon.
Why it matters
- Costa's 13th-place middleweight ranking and high-volume striking make him a marketable opponent for several contenders in the division.
- A win in his contracted fight would free him to negotiate with other promotions, raising the stakes for the UFC to either book him or risk losing him.
- His willingness to fight at light heavyweight or heavyweight broadens the pool of potential opponents and adds urgency to the standoff.
