Alex Pereira Believes Paulo Costa Will 'Do Better' With One Major Adjustment to Shock Magomed Ankalaev
Alex Pereira broke down the unbooked contender clash between Paulo Costa and Magomed Ankalaev, throwing a massive curveball by picking his fellow Brazilian to win.
While the UFC has not yet officially booked the matchup, Paulo Costa and Magomed Ankalaev are actively campaigning to face each other in a high-stakes contender bout. A potential matchup between the two top contenders could decide an interim title while champion Carlos Ulberg recovers from a torn ACL.
Former two-division champion Alex Pereira recently analyzed the potential pairing, but he did not praise his fellow Brazilian's usual fighting style. Instead, he highlighted a major adjustment Costa needs to make to beat Ankalaev.
Alex Pereira says Paulo Costa Must Impose Pace on Ankalaev
Pereira knows Ankalaev's game better than many in the promotion. He stopped the Russian in 80 seconds at UFC 320 in October 2025 to regain the 205-lb belt, one fight after Ankalaev beat him by unanimous decision at UFC 313. Pereira expects a close fight if Costa hesitates and a Costa win if he sets the tempo.
"I think 'Borrachinha' ," Pereira told Laerte Viana. "He's more aggressive. I think 'Borrachinha' would do better. If he stays there like will he or won't he , then it will be a fairly even fight. You don't know who takes it. But if he imposes his game, his rhythm, I think he takes it."
Looking Back at Carlos Ulberg's Championship Victory
Ulberg won the vacant title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327 in April, but tore his ACL during the first round. Following surgery, Ulberg confirmed he will sit out the rest of 2026 to rehab and avoid rushing his recovery.
On that same card, Costa made his light heavyweight debut by knocking out Azamat Murzakanov in the third round. The No. 4-ranked light heavyweight has been pushing for a top opportunity ever since.
However, the two contenders ignited a feud in July. Costa started it after turning down a short-notice replacement fight against Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi, explaining on The Ariel Helwani Show: "It's less than 14 days to get a flight to Abu Dhabi. It's a 16-hour flight, five rounds, for the same money, and not for an interim belt. I don't think this makes sense right now."
After Ankalaev won his subsequent bout, Costa, who has one fight left on his contract, mocked the performance online, to save the division from "monotony and boredom."
Ankalaev fired back at the post-fight press conference, stating he would happily take the fight next, "unless he's going to be running away."
Dissecting Magomed Ankalaev
Ankalaev holds a three-inch reach advantage (75 to 72 inches) and fights best when controlling distance. His last two wins -- a decision over Pereira and a stoppage against Bogdan Guskov -- came through patience and pace control rather than heavy exchanges.
Costa must disrupt that style to win. Pereira thinks the 35-year-old Brazilian will do it better if he actively forces the pace.
Meanwhile, Pereira is preparing for his own five-round co-main event bout against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 on Dec. 12. "Poatan" originally wanted an immediate rematch with heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane to avenge his summer TKO loss.
However, the UFC booked Gane to defend the title against Josh Hokit after Tom Aspinall vacated the belt. As a result, the promotion matched Pereira against Pavlovich in a heavyweight contender fight where the winner will likely face the division champion next.
