Costa reveals UFC refused him ticket to UFC 303 despite request
"They give me not. They give me a ticket. I asked. And nothing. No. What did they say? Uh, we we we we busy, Paul. We fool."
About this episode
Ariel Helwani sits down with UFC middleweight and light heavyweight contender Paulo Costa for an extensive and revealing conversation about his ongoing dispute with the UFC, contract negotiations, and future plans. Costa, who last fought in April with a knockout victory over Azamat Murza, alleges the UFC has systematically sidelined him despite being the only top-ranked light heavyweight coming off a victory. He reveals the promotion offered him a replacement fight against Magomed Ankalaev on 13 days notice for the same money with no title implications, which he views as a setup for refusal. Costa claims the UFC extended his contract by six months after he publicly criticized them on Twitter for making him wait since April without a fight offer. He discloses the promotion denied him tickets to UFC 303 and suggests they are avoiding promoting him until he signs a new long-term deal. In a significant development, Costa confirms he will meet with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn in California within days to explore opportunities outside the UFC, as he has only one fight remaining on his current contract. Costa also predicts the UFC will strip Jiri Prochazka of the light heavyweight title due to severe knee injuries and believes he deserves an interim title shot. The Brazilian fighter, who launched his Secret Juice energy drink brand, announces plans to relocate to Las Vegas and open his own gym while maintaining he wants to be treated fairly by the UFC but is prepared to test free agency.
Key takeaways
- Paulo Costa reveals UFC offered him Magomed Ankalaev fight on 13 days notice for same purse without title implications, which he declined as a deliberate setup
- Costa alleges UFC extended his contract by six months as retaliation after he publicly criticized the promotion on Twitter for refusing to book him fights
- Costa confirms meeting with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn in California within days to explore opportunities with only one UFC fight remaining on contract
- Costa predicts UFC will strip Jiri Prochazka of light heavyweight title due to severe bilateral knee injuries requiring extended recovery beyond 12 months
- Costa discloses UFC refused his request for tickets to attend UFC 303 in Las Vegas, which he believes was to avoid promoting him before contract renewal
- Costa announces plans to relocate permanently to Las Vegas and open his own MMA gym while launching Secret Juice energy drink brand in collaboration with Dio
- Costa argues he is only ranked light heavyweight coming off victory and deserves interim title fight against Jiri Prochazka or top contender opportunity