Paulo Costa says the UFC has refused to release him from the last fight on his contract, days after he was passed over for the UFC 332 main event.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show on Wednesday, Costa said he has asked for his release more than once, and the most recent request came only days ago.
“We already asked to be released but they refused,” Costa said. “They said, ‘No, we’re not going to release you. You need to do one more at least.'”
The 35-year-old has been out since finishing Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 in April. He recently offered to save UFC 332 with an interim light heavyweight title fight, and the UFC passed.
With light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg sidelined, the promotion instead booked Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong for the vacant women’s flyweight title to headline the October 3 card in Salt Lake City. That belt opened up when Valentina Shevchenko vacated the title due to injury.
Costa said the UFC did send him a five-round offer, but not for an interim belt. He won’t take championship-length fights without a bump in pay, and he only wants a three-round bout or a title shot.
Eddie Hearn Deal Close
Costa is also changing the team around him. He said Eddie Hearn sent over a contract a couple of days ago after the two met, covering both management and sponsorship, and all that’s left is for Costa to sign it and send it back.
That would put him alongside Tom Aspinall and Ian Machado Garry among the UFC fighters who have signed with Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency.
