Paulo Costa reaches out to Sean Strickland with a solution to his UFC dispute

Paulo Costa has just reached out to Sean Strickland amid the middleweight champion's money issues with the UFC. 'Borrachinha' wrote to him on social media, offering his former opponent a solution, while urging him to check his inbox. Though what that solution could be is anyone's guess.

The Sean Strickland vs. UFC drama draws Paulo Costa's attention

It wasn't that long ago that reports were abound about a Sean Strickland middleweight title defense against Nassourdine Imavov being targeted for UFC 335. However, that fight has since gone up in flames. At first, the root of the problem was a pay dispute, as Strickland felt that the UFC was not offering him what he believes he is worth. He demanded $1 million, while the promotion reportedly offered him $400k to show, and another $400k as a win bonus. Strickland found this unacceptable, and this opened the floodgates for other issues he has, namely a series of recent injuries which, along with how tough MMA training camps are, have caused him to fall out of love with the sport.

In fact, Strickland is so passionless about MMA that he is strongly considering vacating the middleweight title and moving up to light heavyweight to finish his UFC contract before pursuing a boxing match with Jake Paul. Now, Paulo Costa, who he defeated via split-decision at UFC 302, has turned up on social media with a potential solution to his woes.

"Strickland, I have a solution for us. I sent u a message. Inbox."

However, Costa offered no public details about what his solution is or entails, but it is likely a light heavyweight rematch of their past middleweight encounter. Like Strickland, he is also displeased with the UFC. Costa has accused the promotion of ignoring the terms of his contract, which is set only for three-round fights, by offering him five-round fights. While Costa expressed his willingness to accept five-round fights, he is also demanding a pay bump for taking them. Unfortunately for him, the UFC isn't budging, causing negotiations to stall. Since then, he has been directionless, even previously showing interest in a heavyweight fight with Sergei Pavlovic, who is now scheduled to face Alex Pereira at UFC 335.

Costa has just one fight left on his contract, and is eager to test free agency, but doesn't feel like the UFC is offering him fights on fair terms. He is currently on a two-fight win streak at light heavyweight, and has been challenged by former 205-pound champion Magomed Ankalaev, but there's been no movement on that front.