Paulo Costa Criticizes UFC Management Amid Contract Dispute

In a deleted social media post, Paulo Costa accused the UFC of being unfocused and alleged that president Dana White is distracted by boxing interests. Costa claimed that the promotion’s matchmakers are failing to deliver high-quality bouts and specifically argued that Alexander Volkov should be considered for a heavyweight title opportunity.

The public tension stems from a contract dispute regarding Costa's final scheduled bout. Costa maintains that his current deal compensates him for three-round fights, yet he has only been offered five-round contests. While Dana White stated the promotion has offered Costa multiple opportunities that he declined, Costa clarified that his objections involve the pay structure for longer fights.

Since his April knockout victory over Azamat Murzakanov, Costa has not been booked for a return to the Octagon. The fighter, who recently signed with Eddie Hearn's management team, also cited White's public mistakes regarding fighter records as evidence of the organization’s declining attention to detail.