Jiri Prochazka has publicly stated that the UFC offered him a bout against Paulo Costa for October or November, warning Costa to stop mentioning his name if he has no intention of fighting. Costa flatly denied that Prochazka's name has been brought to him, insisting no offer was ever made. The dispute follows both fighters competing at UFC 327, where Prochazka was knocked out by Carlos Ulberg in a vacant light heavyweight title fight and Costa finished Azamat Murzakanov.
A public disagreement has broken out between Jiri Prochazka and Paulo Costa over whether the UFC ever offered them a matchup for October or November, with neither fighter's account matching the other's.
Prochazka, the 33-year-old Czech contender ranked second at light heavyweight, made the claim publicly, stating that the promotion put the bout to him and warning Costa to stop using his name if he had no genuine interest in fighting. Prochazka carries a 32-6-1 record and is one of the more dangerous strikers in the division, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate, with a six-foot-three frame and an 80-inch reach that gives him significant physical advantages over most opponents. He most recently competed at UFC 327, where he was knocked out by Carlos Ulberg in a vacant light heavyweight title fight.
Costa pushed back firmly, insisting that Prochazka's name was never brought to him and that no offer was made on his end. The Brazilian, who fights out of Team Borracha, is ranked sixth at light heavyweight and holds a 16-4-0 record. At 35 years old, he remains one of the division's more aggressive volume strikers, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. He also appeared at UFC 327, finishing Azamat Murzakanov in his own bout that evening.
Why it matters
- Both fighters are coming off UFC 327 performances, keeping them in the divisional conversation despite neither holding the title
- A win for either man over a ranked opponent would push them closer to newly crowned champion Carlos Ulberg, who stopped Prochazka for the belt
- The contradicting accounts mean no fight is confirmed or even clearly in negotiation — this remains an unresolved public dispute
