Costa gives UFC three-option ultimatum over final contract fight as Ankalaev volunteers

Paulo Costa took his UFC contract dispute public on Wednesday, issuing a three-option ultimatum to the promotion’s chief business officer Hunter Campbell over the terms of his final contracted bout — and Magomed Ankalaev immediately put his hand up as a willing opponent.

Costa, riding a two-fight winning streak after knocking out Roman Kopylov at middleweight and then finishing previously undefeated Azamat Murzakanov at light heavyweight, says his current deal specifies a three-round fight with a purse set accordingly. He claims negotiations with the UFC have stalled, prompting him to go public.

“I have 1 fight left,” Costa wrote on social media. “On my contract the purse is set for 3 rounds, not 5. I’m asking for the 3-round fight that was already agreed on contract. It can be anyone on the UFC LHW roster.”

Costa laid out three paths for Campbell: honour the contracted three-round fight against any light heavyweight opponent; offer a five-round fight within six weeks but raise his purse to match the longer format; or release him from his contract immediately. “Simple and clean,” Costa concluded. “I hope everyone understands.”

The dispute arrives at a complicated moment for the light heavyweight division. Champion Carlos Ulberg suffered a knee injury during his title victory over Jiri Prochazka and is not expected to return until 2027. Costa has previously indicated he would be open to fighting for an interim belt, but only if the UFC offers enough money to persuade him to re-sign.

Ankalaev, who cemented his own title contention by finishing Bogdan Guskov in July, wasted little time responding to Costa’s post with a direct challenge.

“You beat me, you become a free agent and make millions,” Ankalaev wrote. “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.”

The UFC has not yet publicly responded to Costa’s ultimatum, and no fight has been announced. Whether the promotion agrees to the three-round terms, renegotiates for a five-round contest, or parts ways with Costa entirely will likely shape the near-term direction of the light heavyweight division.