Paulo Costa Says UFC Denied His Release Request

Paulo Costa asked the UFC for his release and got turned down, and now the surging light heavyweight says he's been trying to get a fight booked since May with no luck.

Costa said the promotion's answer was blunt when he raised the idea of walking. "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.'" He added this wasn't the first time he's pushed for an exit, saying he'd raised it before back in January, ahead of his fight with Azamat Murzakanov.

Costa was careful to frame this as business, not beef. "It's not about relationships. We are professionals. Just go, show up, fight, that's it," he said, and added he's "looking for big fights" and "big names."

Why Costa Wants the Interim Light Heavyweight Title

Costa's real target isn't just any fight, it's UFC gold. With champion Carlos Ulberg out for the foreseeable future, Costa has pushed hard for an interim light heavyweight title bout and says the promotion keeps saying no. "I asked to fight in Salt Lake City, I asked to fight everywhere. California, UFC Noche, but for some reason, UFC doesn't want to put the interim light heavyweight belt on the line. I think this is a disaster," Costa said.

He also revealed the UFC did come back with an offer, just not the one he wanted. "They sent an offer to fight for five rounds, not for an interim belt, and something that doesn't make sense to me. They didn't mention the name," Costa said. Turning down a five-round main event slot without title implications, and without even being told the opponent, tells you how firmly Costa believes he's earned a shot at gold rather than another measuring-stick fight.

Where Costa Stands in the 205-Pound Picture

Costa has a legitimate case. He's 16-4 as a pro and riding a two-fight run at light heavyweight, a knockout of Murzakanov followed by a decision win over Roman Kopylov, since moving up from middleweight. That resume against ranked competition explains why he feels shorted by an offer that doesn't include a belt.

The UFC's reluctance to book an interim title fight likely comes down to timeline uncertainty around Ulberg's return rather than any doubt in Costa's standing. Interim belts are a case-by-case call for the promotion, and with the champion's timeline unclear, matchmakers may simply be waiting rather than committing to a stopgap title fight. For bettors, this stalemate matters more than it looks. Every month Costa sits out is a month oddsmakers can't set a real number on his next fight, and if the UFC eventually books him in a non-title five-rounder against a ranked name instead, expect Costa to open as a live underdog or a short favorite depending on the opponent, given how well he's performed since the move to 205 pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the UFC release Paulo Costa?

No. Paulo Costa said the UFC refused his request for a release, telling him he needed to fight at least one more time on his contract.

Why does Paulo Costa want an interim light heavyweight title fight?

Paulo Costa wants an interim light heavyweight title fight because champion Carlos Ulberg is out for the foreseeable future, and Costa believes his two-fight win streak at 205 pounds has earned him a title opportunity.

What is Paulo Costa's current UFC record?

Paulo Costa is 16-4 as a pro and has won back-to-back fights at light heavyweight over Azamat Murzakanov and Roman Kopylov.