Andrew Ravens
Paulo Costa has significant decisions ahead of him following his third-round knockout of Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 in Miami. “Borrachinha” moved up to light heavyweight for the bout and handed the previously undefeated Murzakanov the first loss of his career, and has since revealed that his current deal with the UFC is nearly up.
Speaking to Ag. Fight following the victory, Costa was candid about where things stand contractually. “I have one fight left on this contract,” he said. “Let’s see what’s next. I think we’re in a good position to fight for the belt, maybe.”
The win over Murzakanov extended Costa’s winning streak to two fights, following a victory over middleweight Roman Kopylov. Costa believes the quality of his recent opponents and the manner of his victories have put him in a credible position to pursue a title shot at either 185 or 205 pounds. He pointed specifically to Murzakanov’s undefeated record and his ranking of sixth in the official UFC light heavyweight rankings as evidence that his latest win carries real weight in the title picture conversation.
With his contract winding down, the UFC has already approached Costa about an extension. His comments suggest he is not in a rush to sign and wants to assess his options carefully before committing. “The UFC already wanted to renew the contract,” Costa said. “We’re seeing if we do one more and then sit down to negotiate.” He was also clear that his intention is not simply to test the market or seek out a more lucrative deal elsewhere. “I’m very grateful to the UFC,” he said. “But it’s my life, right?”
The timing of Costa’s backstage interview added an interesting layer to the evening’s events. Moments after he spoke, Carlos Ulberg captured the light heavyweight championship by knocking out Jiri Prochazka in the opening round of the UFC 327 main event, doing so on one leg after suffering an apparent knee injury during the fight. Ulberg has not yet revealed a diagnosis or a timetable for his return to the octagon, which adds uncertainty to the 205-pound title picture that Costa is now eyeing.
