Paulo Costa has declined a short-notice five-round main event against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi, opting not to step in with less than two weeks to prepare.
Ankalaev required a new opponent after Khalil Rountree Jr. suffered an injury, and the UFC approached Costa about headlining the Abu Dhabi card on under 14 days’ notice. Instead, Ankalaev will face Bogdan Guskov, who was pulled from a planned rematch with Jan Blachowicz.
Costa cited the timing, travel and financial terms as key reasons for turning down the offer. “It’s so short-notice, less than 14 days to get a flight to Abu Dhabi,” Costa said, later adding, “16-hour flight to Abu Dhabi, five rounds, for the same money, and not for an interim belt — I don’t think that makes sense right now … My weight is not bad, I’m 234 [pounds] right now. I should start a strict diet. I need like seven or eight weeks to make weight properly. Different than when I fight Middleweight, when I need 12-14 weeks.”
Costa, who recently moved up to Light Heavyweight and stopped previously unbeaten Azamat Murzakanov by high kick, is now ranked inside the division’s Top 10 and on a win streak. He has also expressed frustration about not getting a fight booked as he heads into the final bout of his UFC contract, saying the promotion’s proposal was, “Hey I have a great deal for you: NON TITLE Fight in 13 days short notice, Abu Dhabi, 5 rounds, same money, nothing better. Me: I love u too.”
