Paulo Costa: Biography, Record, Next Fight & Contract Updates

Born: 21 April 1991 ·
Height: 6′ 1″ (185 cm) ·
Weight class: Light Heavyweight ·
Record: 16-4-0 (W-L-D) ·
Reach: 72 inches ·
Stance: Orthodox

Eight key facts, one pattern: Paulo Costa’s physical stats and record are publicly solid, but his financial and contractual details remain opaque.

What happened with Paulo Costa?

Contract disputes and UFC pay negotiations

Costa has been outspoken about his dissatisfaction with how the UFC handles fighter pay. In a Yahoo Sports interview, he accused the promotion of trying to “manipulate vulnerable fighters” and said he wanted to fight rather than wait on the final fight of his contract. He claimed the UFC offered him a short-notice, five-round bout in Abu Dhabi against Magomed Ankalaev without a pay increase — a deal he reportedly declined.

That report noted that another fighter eventually took the short-notice slot. Costa later told Boxing News that he had asked for fights at middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight but was still being told to wait by UFC executive Hunter Campbell. The implication: the UFC may be using the final fight of his contract as leverage to control his next move.

Inactivity and injury history

Costa’s last fight came in 2023 — a loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, as reported by Sports Illustrated. That fight was booked after a previous bout with Robert Whittaker fell apart due to a contract dispute. Since then, Costa has been sidelined by what he says are UFC tactics to delay his final contracted fight. In June 2026, Bloody Elbow reported that Costa called out the UFC for delaying the end of his deal, stating he wanted to fight immediately.

The catch: Costa’s next move depends entirely on the UFC’s willingness to book his final fight.

How much does Paulo Costa make per fight?

Base salary and win bonuses

Exact figures for Costa’s pay are not publicly disclosed by the UFC. However, a 2021 Express report quoted Dana White pushing back on Costa’s pay complaints, suggesting the fighter’s earnings are in line with the promotion’s standard. For context, average UFC fighters earn between $80,000 and $150,000 per fight, including win bonuses, per industry estimates. Costa’s star power — he headlined a pay-per-view against Israel Adesanya in 2020 — likely puts him on a higher tier.

Pay-per-view payouts and sponsorship

PPV shares are not disclosed, but top fighters often receive a cut of the event revenue. Costa’s bout with Adesanya reportedly sold over 600,000 PPV buys, which would have generated significant bonus money. Sponsorship earnings are capped by the UFC’s uniform deal with Venum, limiting outside income. The catch: without a public disclosure, fans can only guess at Costa’s net worth, which is estimated at $1–3 million by various outlets.

Eight key facts, one pattern: the numbers are opaque, but the trend points to a fighter who has earned well below his market value.

Who is Paulo Costa fighting next?

Next opponent and date

As of January 2026, MMA Junkie reported that Costa was scheduled to face Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 in Miami on April 11, 2026. However, Costa later pulled out of a planned UFC 326 fight against Brunno Ferreira, and the Murzakanov bout was never officially confirmed by the UFC. By June 2026, Bloody Elbow reported that Costa’s next fight had not yet been booked despite his public availability.

Weight class for next fight

Costa has made himself available across three weight classes: middleweight (185 lbs), light heavyweight (205 lbs), and heavyweight (265 lbs). His move to light heavyweight was confirmed by his 2023 fight against Chimaev, and he has since expressed a willingness to go up or down depending on the opportunity. The trade-off: fighting at heavyweight would mean a significant size disadvantage, but could open up bigger paydays.

What this means: Costa’s next opponent is still a question mark, and the weight-class flexibility may be his best bargaining chip.

Does Paulo Costa have a wife?

Paulo Costa’s relationship status

There is no publicly confirmed spouse for Paulo Costa. The fighter has not disclosed a wife in any verified interview or official UFC profile. Social media posts sometimes show a woman referred to as his girlfriend, but no reliable source confirms a marriage. The absence of a confirmed spouse is notable given the frequent rumors.

Family and personal life

Costa was born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and trains at Team Borracha. He maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing on his career and social media presence. This lack of confirmed information is a gap in the reliable public record.

Eight key facts, one pattern: the personal side remains off the record.

Paulo Costa’s fighting record and statistics

Win-loss record breakdown

Costa’s professional MMA record stands at 16 wins and 4 losses. Of those 16 wins, 12 came by knockout or TKO, giving him a 75% finish rate. His four losses include a decision defeat to Israel Adesanya for the interim middleweight title (UFC official profile), a submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev, and two other decisions. Costa’s only loss by decision was a split decision to Yoel Romero — a fight many analysts thought he won.

Fight style and key victories

Known for his aggressive pressure and devastating leg kicks, Costa’s style is built around overwhelming opponents with volume. His most notable wins include a unanimous decision over Yoel Romero in August 2019 and a TKO win over Luke Rockhold in 2021. Both fights showcased his ability to outwork elite middleweights. The pattern: when Costa stays disciplined, he can beat top-tier opponents; when he gets reckless, he leaves openings for counter-strikers.

Eight physical stats, one pattern: Costa’s build is compact for light heavyweight, but his reach and power make him dangerous at any weight.

The pattern: Costa’s stats show a fighter built for power, but his recent inactivity undermines that edge.

Timeline: Paulo Costa’s career

• 21 April 1991 – Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
• 2012–2016 – Amateur MMA career before turning professional
• 2017 – UFC debut: wins by TKO over Garreth McLellan (UFC official profile)
• 2018 – Defeats Uriah Hall by TKO (UFC official profile)
• August 2019 – Wins by decision over Yoel Romero (UFC official profile)
• September 2020 – Loses to Israel Adesanya for interim middleweight title (UFC official profile)
• 2021 – Defeats Luke Rockhold by TKO (UFC official profile)
• 2022–2023 – Contract disputes with UFC lead to inactivity; moves to light heavyweight (MMA Junkie)
• January 2026 – Booked vs. Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 (later unresolved) (MMA Junkie)
• June 2026 – Calls out UFC for delaying final fight contract (Bloody Elbow)

The pattern: each milestone is followed by a longer pause, underscoring the contract battle.

What we know and what’s unclear

Quotes from the key players

“The UFC is clearly trying to manipulate vulnerable fighters. People are afraid to speak.”

— Paulo Costa, speaking to Yahoo Sports

“I don’t want to wait. I have one fight left on my contract. I want to fight now.”

— Paulo Costa, as reported by Bloody Elbow

“Contract disputes don’t exempt fighters from their obligations.”

— Dana White, quoted by Express

“Costa has asked for fights at middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. He’s being told to wait.”

— Boxing News, citing Costa’s team (Boxing News)

For Paulo Costa, the path forward is clear only in its uncertainty. The fighter wants to finish his current contract but feels the UFC is using scheduling delays to control his final bout. If the dispute isn’t resolved, he risks wasting his prime years on the sidelines — a costly outcome for a man who once competed for an interim title. For the UFC, letting a marketable fighter sit idle sends a message to the roster. For Costa, the choice is plain: fight out the contract under unfavorable terms, or find a way to force a release and test free agency elsewhere.

For those looking to dive into his background and latest developments, the Paulo Costa biography and record offers a thorough look.

Frequently asked questions

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