Joe Rogan is calling for Paulo Costa to jump straight into an interim UFC light heavyweight title fight following his highlight-reel win at UFC 327.
Costa, who entered UFC 327 as a betting underdog, knocked out previously undefeated light heavyweight contender Azamat Murzakanov with a third-round head kick. The bout marked Costa’s first appearance at 205 pounds since 2021 and is described as the biggest win of his career outside of his 2019 Fight of the Night victory over Yoel Romero, which earned him a UFC middleweight title shot.
Rogan, who was cageside calling Costa’s victory and later discussed it on his podcast, was emphatic about the Brazilian’s future at 205. “He looked f—king phenomenal,” Rogan said, adding, “If I were in his corner, I would say ‘Dude, never go back to middleweight. You are a f—king light heavyweight champion!”
With Carlos Ulberg reported to be out for at least a year for ACL reconstruction, Rogan went a step further, saying, “While Carlos Ulberg is going to be out for at least a year, for ACL reconstruction, Paulo Costa could be the interim light heavyweight champion,” and, “No doubt! I really feel like he could pull that off. At light heavyweight, he’s f—king terrifying. He looks like the Paulo Costa of old!”
Donald Trump was also present cageside at UFC 327 and reacted positively to Costa’s performance.
