Paulo Costa’s UFC Future Is More Uncertain Than Ever

Paulo Costa’s relationship with the UFC and their matchmakers has appeared to have reached a breaking point. Currently ranked No. 4 in the Meta AI light heavyweight rankings, the little details regarding Paulo’s demands for a fight have collided with an ongoing dispute over his contract and how much he wants to get paid. 

Costa has expressed to the UFC Matchmakers, more specifically Hunter Campbell, that he wants to compete for the interim light heavyweight championship. However, I and many others do not believe Costa has earned an interim title opportunity. He is only riding a two-fight winning streak, has recorded just one victory at light heavyweight, and recently lost to Robert Whittaker, who has now also moved into the same division. Costa may be highly ranked, but his résumé at 205 pounds does not justify placing him in an interim championship fight. Costa has also made it clear that he will not accept the additional demands of a five-round fight without receiving additional compensation.
“It’s very simple, you know. Three rounds. If it is five rounds, pay me more,” Costa said.

Costa explained that preparing for five rounds requires more time and money into his training  camps. He is unwilling to spend that extra money unless the UFC increases his pay. His position is reasonable. A five-round fight requires more preparation, more resources, and more physical risk. If the UFC wants Costa to accept that responsibility, it should pay him accordingly. 
The larger issue is that Costa claims the UFC does not want to release him but has also failed to offer him a new contract. During an interview with Ariel Helwani, Costa was asked whether he was frustrated with the current direction of his career and whether he would consider offers from organizations such as MVP or RIZIN. Costa responded that he would be happy to examine offers from other promotions.

That answer alone should concern the UFC’s top dogs, especially after Costa signed a new management and sponsorship agreement with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. Hearn is the arch nemesis of Dana White and will now serve as both Costa’s sponsor and fight manager.
Hearn’s increasingly hostile rivalry with Dana White makes his acquisition of Costa interesting. White has entered the boxing business through Zuffa Boxing, placing him in direct competition with boxing promoters like Hearn. Hearn aligning himself with yet another recognizable UFC  star is both a business move and an opportunity to strike back at Dana.

Costa is not the only prominent UFC fighter working with Hearn. Hearn also signed UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to a promotional agreement. Aspinall has appeared increasingly unhappy with the UFC following the prolonged Jon Jones situation and the company’s public criticism of him after his fight with Ciryl Gane ended because of an eye poke. With Aspinall now being forced to vacate the belt, Hearn is now positioning himself alongside two UFC stars who believe the promotion has treated them unfairly.

Costa has not done enough at light heavyweight to deserve an interim championship fight. That does not mean his complaints about compensation and inconsistent treatment are invalid. The UFC cannot reasonably keep him under contract, refuse to offer him a new agreement, and expect him to accept a five-round fight without additional pay.

Costa has taken to X once again to blast Hunter Campbell about hiCosta’s next three-round fight could determine much more than his position in the light heavyweight rankings. It may decide whether he remains with the UFC or takes his name, personality, and entertaining fighting style somewhere else.