Costa blasts UFC matchmaking and reveals Eddie Hearn talks with one fight left on deal

Paulo Costa has publicly criticised the UFC’s matchmaking operation, telling Spanish outlet Sexto Round that the promotion is “lost” without Dana White playing a more hands-on role — and revealing he has held talks with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn about joining his management team.

Costa, who has one fight remaining on his current UFC contract, said he reached out to the promotion in June after his April victory, requesting a booking in July or August. He claims the UFC told him no decision had been made, a delay he attributes to poor timing and a lack of decisive leadership at the top.

“Dana White is greatly missed,” Costa said. “The UFC is lost. They’re making a lot of mistakes because of fear and a lack of timing. If I said, ‘OK, I don’t mind being tied down, being undervalued and getting paid less than I deserve,’ I’d probably be fighting for the interim title by now. But I think that would be a mistake. I know UFC champions who make half of what I make.”

The former middleweight title challenger, known as “Borrachinha”, has since shifted his focus to the light heavyweight division and weighed in on the rumoured interim title picture. Costa argued that he, former champion Magomed Ankalaev and unbeaten contender Navajo Stirling are more deserving candidates than Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree, pointing to recent form as his justification.

“I’m coming off a win, Ankalaev is coming off a win and this new guy Navajo is also coming off a win; Jiri and Khalil are coming off losses, so let’s see,” Costa said.

The revelation about Eddie Hearn adds a layer of intrigue to Costa’s future. The Matchroom Boxing chief sent the Brazilian a proposal to join his management team, a conversation Costa described as positive — though he stopped short of confirming any formal agreement. With his UFC tenure approaching its contractual end, the 33-year-old appears intent on leveraging his position rather than accepting whatever fight the promotion offers.