Paulo Costa makes major accusations against UFC's Hunter Campbell, trades barbs with Magomed Ankalaev

Paulo Costa has seemingly been at loggerheads with the UFC brass for the past several months.

The fan-favorite striking savant has now added yet another layer to his apparent standoff with the UFC, lobbing a few rather major accusations against the UFC's CBO (Chief Business Officer) Hunter Campbell. 

Paulo Costa's signing with UFC boss Dana White's critic Eddie Hearn

Paulo Costa has, for the better part of this year, consistently suggested that the UFC is delaying the booking of his next fight. He last fought in April, knocking out Azamat Murzakanov in a high-stakes light heavyweight showdown. 

Costa currently has just one fight left on his deal with the UFC MMA organization. Additionally, he recently signed with UFC opposer and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Talent Agency. 

England's Hearn has been at odds with UFC CEO and president Dana White over the latter's UFC-affiliated Zuffa Boxing foray into the world of professional boxing promotion. While Hearn is believed to be guiding Costa merely on an advisory level, with no control over his UFC contract, some believe the signing is still a significant factor that's worsened "The Eraser's" relationship with the UFC. 

Paulo Costa lobs accusations at the UFC's Hunter Campbell; exchanges jibes with Magomed Ankalaev

Coming to the here and now, Costa has put forth a few X posts, accusing UFC CBO Hunter Campbell of stalling his next, and final, UFC fight. He appears to have accused Campbell of unnecessarily delaying his imminent fight till 2027, as well as allegedly trying to underpay him with a three-round fight's pay despite offering him a five-round fight. 

In an X post, Costa wrote, "Its incredible CRAZY how Hunter won't give me a regular, standard three-round fight; he insists on keeping it with me. He saying nobody is available till, maybe next year. Can you believe on this bull**it? lol. If you're a LHW in @ufc roaster and want to fight, let's bring it to him." 

Its incredible CRAZY how Hunter won’t give me a regular, standard three -round fight; he insists on keeping it with me. He saying nobody is available till , maybe next year. Can you believe on this bullshit? lol. if you’re an LHW in @ufc roaster and want to fight, let’s bring it to him . 🤷🏻‍♂️🧃

— Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) September 18, 2026

Another post saw him note, "I'm not going to take 5 rounds for the price of 3. That would be stupid--it's definitely stupid; anyone who does that is an idiot." 

Costa's rival and former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev chimed in by indicating that Hunter Campbell and UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard offered him a five-round main event matchup against Costa, but the latter turned it down multiple times. 

Ankalaev stated, "Hunter and Mick offered me this fight 3-4 times. I said yes every time. Three rounds, five rounds--I don't care. You're a top contender, I'm #1. It makes sens but we are main event fighter five round makes sense." 

Costa hit back, albeit with what looked to be a cordial acknowledgment of the Dagestani fighter's assertion. The Brazilian fighter implied that he had no qualms about facing Ankalaev, but wouldn't do so for the pay of a three-round fight. He demanded to be paid more for a potential fight in November or December. 

Ankalaev fired a barb in response, jibing that Costa is 0-3 in five-round main event fights and ought to accept the fight, a win in which would lead him to better pay and boost him in the light heavyweight food chain. 

Presently, reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg is recovering from his knee injury and eyeing a return next year. Top 205-pounders like former champions Magomed Ankalaev and Jiri Prochazka are lobbying for an interim title shot, with former middleweight and current light heavyweight Paulo Costa also rumored to be in the title mix. 

Check out the screenshots of Paulo Costa's allegations against Hunter Campbell -- his and Magomed Ankalaev's exchanges -- below: