Magomed Ankalaev open to Paulo Costa fight with one condition

Magomed Ankalaev has one condition for a potential showdown with Paulo Costa: the Brazilian needs to stand and trade.

The former heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion addressed Costa's call-out following Saturday's UFC Abu Dhabi main event, where Ankalaev stopped Bogdan Guskov in the fifth round. Costa, who scored a knockout over Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 in his 205-pound debut, took to social media during the bout to criticize its pacing, writing that he would save the division from monotony, per MMA Fighting.

Ankalaev sets terms for Costa clash at UFC 333

Asked about the comment at the post-fight press conference, Ankalaev said he would welcome the fight if the champion remains sidelined and Costa brings the pressure. "If Paulo Costa wants to do it, if the UFC is saying that's a possibility, I would happily be the one to fight here in Abu Dhabi in October," he said through a translator. Ankalaev added that he wants to deliver exciting bouts but needs opponents who engage. "Unless he's going to be running away," he told reporters, according to Sherdog.

The Russian later told Red Corner MMA that Costa had done little at middleweight before moving up and winning one fight. "If he's ready to press forward, we'll be waiting for him," Ankalaev said. "But if he's going to run and shy away, I see no point in fighting him."

Current champion Carlos Ulberg is recovering from injury with no timeline set for his return. The UFC announced during Saturday's broadcast that the promotion will stage UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 24, a potential landing spot for Ankalaev and Costa.

Ankalaev also mentioned unfinished business with Alex Pereira, whose heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight series with the Russian stands tied at one apiece. Pereira recently failed to capture an interim heavyweight belt at UFC White House and could drop back down to 205 pounds for a trilogy.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Magomed Ankalaev open to Paulo Costa fight next, ‘unless he’s going to be running away’ | MMA Fighting
• sherdog.com — Magomed Ankalaev sets condition for Paulo Costa UFC fight