Paulo Costa Reveals Why He Turned Down UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event vs Magomed Ankalaev

For a very brief moment, Paulo Costa appeared to be the frontrunner to rescue the UFC Abu Dhabi main event. After Khalil Rountree Jr. withdrew because of an untimely injury, the promotion needed a new opponent for former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev. 

Costa, fresh off an emphatic debut at 205 pounds, seemed like a logical replacement. But despite the opportunity to vault himself into title contention, "Borrachinha" declined the offer. Now, the Brazilian has explained why the fight never materialized in an absolute tear against the UFC, a stance that former champion Jan Blachowicz has echoed in his own way.

Paulo Costa says UFC’s Offer Simply Didn’t Add Up

For one, Costa has never been shy about voicing his frustrations with the UFC, particularly over the negotiations surrounding what is expected to be the final fight of his current contract.  When the promotion reached out about replacing Rountree against Ankalaev, he didn't view it as the golden opportunity many fans did. Instead, he saw a fight that came with significant risks and very little reward.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Costa (16-4-0) revealed that the offer arrived with fewer than two weeks to prepare for a five-round main event in Abu Dhabi. On top of the long-haul travel, he would have needed to make the light heavyweight limit on short notice without receiving any additional financial incentive.

"I think it's so short notice," he said. "Like less than 14 days to get a flight to Abu Dhabi. A 16-hour flight to Abu Dhabi, five rounds for the same money and not for the interim belt. I don't think this makes sense right now."

Time Not on Paulo Costa's Side for UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event

The timing also complicated matters physically. Although “The Eraser” no longer has to endure the brutal cut to middleweight, he admitted he was still well above the 205-lb limit and would have preferred more time for adequate preparation.

More than anything, however, the Brazilian suggested the offer reflected the UFC's approach to negotiations, something he has publicly criticized time and again.

That said, the 35-year-old agreed with Helwani's suggestion that the promotion may have extended the offer after hearing his repeated complaints about inactivity. Even so, he wasn't willing to accept a high-risk fight simply because it became available.

He argued that the UFC often damages its relationship with fighters during negotiations and pointed to former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou as an example of a star who ultimately walked away after prolonged contract disputes.

Jan Blachowicz Also Received Call, but Opportunity Disappeared

As it turns out, Costa wasn't the only top light heavyweight who had the chance to face Ankalaev. Former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz revealed that the promotion contacted him with the same offer after Rountree's withdrawal.

At the time, the Polish warrior was already scheduled to rematch Bogdan Guskov in August, making the decision far from straightforward. Unlike Costa, he didn't outright reject the fight. Instead, he needed time to determine whether he could safely make the light heavyweight limit on such short notice.

That hesitation ultimately proved costly. "UFC offered me to fight Ankalaev first," Blachowicz wrote on X. "I wasn't sure if I'm gonna make the weight. After a couple of hours I confirmed the fight without any catchweight but it was a done deal with Guskov. So now I'm waiting for a new opponent for the UFC Serbia Fight Night."

Jan Blachowicz Took Fight Too Late

By the time Blachowicz informed the UFC that he was willing to take the bout, Guskov had already accepted the opportunity and been moved from their scheduled rematch into the July 25 headliner.

In the end, Costa felt the risk simply outweighed the reward. A win over the No. 2-ranked light heavyweight Ankalaev would have upped his stock, putting him firmly in the light heavyweight title conversation. However, taking on a former champion in a five-round main event on less than two weeks' notice, without improved financial terms, wasn't a gamble he was prepared to take.