Paulo Costa has revealed he was informed he is the No. 1 contender for the interim light heavyweight title. The Brazilian made the disclosure on social media, adding with characteristic bluntness that he is simply waiting to find out which Russian fighter he will have to beat next.
Paulo Costa claims he has been told he is the No. 1 contender for an interim light heavyweight title, a disclosure the Brazilian made publicly on social media on July 22, 2026.
Costa, known as "The Eraser," is making a push for the division one step above his current home. The 35-year-old from Brazil carries a 16-4-0 professional record and is currently ranked No. 13 at middleweight, meaning the reported move to light heavyweight would represent a significant shift in his career trajectory. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, Costa has built his reputation on relentless forward pressure and elite striking output, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — numbers that place him among the sport's most aggressive finishers. He trains out of Team Borracha and competes from an orthodox stance.
In characteristically direct fashion, Costa indicated on social media that he is simply waiting to learn which Russian fighter he will face for the interim belt.
Why it matters
- Costa has not been officially confirmed as a contender by the UFC, and this story is based solely on his own social media disclosure
- A move from middleweight to light heavyweight would add a new dimension to his career, testing him against a larger athlete pool
- His striking volume and finishing instincts make him a dangerous stylistic threat at any weight class
- The reference to a "Russian fighter" narrows the likely field of opponents but no matchup has been formally announced
