UFC middleweight Costa is coming to the final fight of his contract with the promotion, where he will take on Robert Whittaker next year before targeting a potential switch to the boxing ring
UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has teased a switch to the boxing ring after the conclusion of his “miserable” contract with the promotion.
Costa is currently ranked as the sixth leading contender in the UFC’s middleweight division, and has yet to become champion after falling short in his maiden title challenge against Israel Adesanya in 2020. The Brazilian will return to action next February at UFC 284 where he will challenge Robert Whittaker as he looks to start a new surge up the rankings after defeating Luke Rockhold back in August.
The Brazilian star has just one fight remaining on his current UFC deal and it remains unclear if he intends to fight with the organisation again when he becomes a free agent next year. And the 31-year-old made a public declaration of his frustration, tweeting: “My miserable contract with the UFC was up in a few short months. will expire in time. A new #boxer is coming to town!”
Costa late expanded on his plans during an interview with the MMA Hour where he revealed he is open to holding further talks with the UFC before making the decision to turn his back entirely. He said: “I have one more, I didn’t know, I thought this was the last one but I have one more. I’m looking forward to being a free agent for sure, I will not lie to you. I’d (thought) this was the last one of this contract.