Kenny Florian makes a case for Paulo Costa title shot, citing worrisome state of UFC light heavyweight division

Paulo Costa is believed to be on the cusp of a potential title shot in the UFC light heavyweight division despite recently having secured just his first win at that weight. 

Well, UFC commentator Jon Anik, his brother Jason Anik, and former MMA fighter Kenny Florian seem to be in favor of Costa competing for the 205-pound title next. 

Paulo Costa's negotiation differences with the UFC; Magomed Ankalaev's lackluster win over Bogdan Guskov

Brazil's Paulo Costa bested the then-unbeaten Azamat Murzakanov via third-round TKO back in April. Meanwhile, Carlos Ulberg, in spite of sustaining a mid-fight knee injury, managed to knock out former divisional ruler Jiri Prochazka.

Ulberg thereby captured the vacant UFC light heavyweight title in the headlining match of UFC 327, the same card on which "The Eraser" beat Murzakanov. Nevertheless, Costa's next fight would mark the last of his current UFC deal. 

Costa has consistently maintained that the UFC is delaying his final fight, even pointing out that they offered him the opportunity to be a late replacement for the injured Khalil Rountree Jr. against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi. He claims to have turned it down due to various reasons, including low pay and inadequate time to prepare. 

On the other hand, former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev ended up fighting Bogdan Guskov in a rather uneventful clash at UFC Abu Dhabi last Saturday. The fight, despite Ankalaev winning via TKO, elicited severe backlash for the Dagestani fighter and Guskov. 

It's noteworthy that certain sections of the MMA community expected Ankalaev to earn a title shot against Ulberg with a win at UFC Abu Dhabi. But his controversial fight against Guskov has led many to call for the grappling savant to be relegated and someone else to be booked against Ulberg. 

Kenny Florian and the Anik brothers rally for Paulo Costa to receive a title shot in a seemingly tottering UFC light heavyweight division

In an edition of The Anik & Florian Podcast, retired MMA star Kenny Florian alongside Jon Anik and Jason Anik discussed various topics. They, prominently, alluded to the waves of criticism that have lately hit the UFC's light heavyweight division. 

Some critics have argued that Ulberg, who's currently recovering from knee injury issues, barely got by Jiri Prochazka, who had himself faced multiple setbacks as of late. Also, they've castigated Magomed Ankalaev for what they believe is his refusal to take risks, which produces fights that are likelier to go his way but are uneventful. 

Florian and the Anik brothers acknowledged the variables at play and clarified that they respect Ankalaev and his achievements. They concurred, however, that his fighting style and recent win might prevent him from getting a title shot right away, although he's the No. 1 contender. 

Jason Anik stated, "As I watched the event (Ankalaev vs. Guskov), I'm wondering at what point (UFC CEO and president) Dana White may have shut it off. You know, because it became very unwatchable very early on." 

Upon being asked whom he'd like to fight Carlos Ulberg for the belt when the champion returns from his injury hiatus, Florian said, "I would go with Paulo Costa." 

"KenFlo" indicated that the Anik brothers were spot on with their support for Costa possibly fighting Ulberg for the belt next. Florian added, "Because this is exactly what the division needs. They need a name. They need excitement. I don't care about this division. I really don't. I want to, but I don't." 

Florian continued, "And I need someone like a Paulo Costa, who looks the part, who plays the part, who's hilarious on social media. But when he fights, he goes out and looks for the knockout. And everything he throws looks, like, spectacular."

He explained, "So he's a tremendous athlete. He knows how to excite the crowd. And when he's on his game, boy, he's going be tough to beat. So I think he can steal that spot." 

The former UFC lightweight and featherweight championship challenger implied that Ankalaev is more deserving of a title shot against Ulberg, but the UFC is a business and would prefer someone like Costa to put on an entertaining performance in the title clash. 

Watch the Anik brothers and Kenny Florian discuss the UFC light heavyweight division and Paulo Costa's opportunity to ascend to its throne below (*comments at the 9:20-minute mark of the video):