Former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa, who is now ranked in the Top 10 at 205 pounds, is looking to satisfy the remaining fight on his UFC contract, which he recently made public — presumably to help expedite the somewhat protracted process.
We already know an early release is out of the question.
“Okay, I’m making this public and clear, I have one fight left on my contract,” Costa wrote on social media. “The purse is set for three rounds, not five. I’m asking for the three-round fight that
was already agreed on contract. It can be anyone on the UFC light heavyweight roster.”
The 35-year-old Costa (16-4) is coming off a knockout win over Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327.
“I think [UFC CBO] Hunter (Campbell) has three options now,” Costa continued. “A) Give me that last three-round fight (I’ll take any opponent). B) Give me a five-round fight at light heavyweight against anyone in six weeks. I’ll take it, BUT raise my purse accordingly. That’s the minimum that’s fair, right? C) Release me from my contract now. Simple and clean. I hope everyone understands.”
One person that understands is former 205-pound titleholder Magomed Ankalaev.
“You beat me, you become a free agent and make millions,” the 34-year-old Ankalaev (21-2-1, 1 NC) responded. “I beat you, everybody expected me to beat you anyway. You have nothing to lose. I’m your get-out-of-jail-free card. Let’s fight.”
I find it amusing that Ankalaev thinks a victory over him is worth “millions” while also wondering if “everybody” expects “Big Ank” to win, based on his snoozer against Bogdan Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi back in July. Either way, at least Costa has an opponent that’s interested.
But are you interested as a fan?
