Costa Warns Ulberg On 2027 Return Plans

Paulo Costa believes Carlos Ulberg will not hold the UFC heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight title until his planned 2027 return.

Ulberg captured the vacant belt in April with a first-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka but tore his ACL in the bout. The New Zealand champion recently outlined potential matchups for the division while he recovers, pairing Magomed Ankalaev against Prochazka and Costa against Khalil Rountree, per Sherdog.

Costa Eyes heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">Light Heavyweight Gold

Costa dismissed Ulberg's matchmaking suggestions on social media. "Hahaha this is funny," the Brazilian wrote on X. "We will have another champion in 2026 and I coming to get it."

Ulberg had posted on Instagram Stories after Ankalaev's win over Bogdan Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi, writing that Ankalaev versus Prochazka is "a fight the division deserves" and calling Costa versus Rountree "the wildcard" with "high risk, high reward." He closed with: "By the time the dust settles... I'll be ready. Whoever earns it. See you in 2027."

UFC CEO Dana White previously indicated an interim belt could be contested during Ulberg's recovery. Costa holds a 16-4 record and appears ready to pursue his first light heavyweight title shot.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Paulo Costa warns Carlos Ulberg against 2027 return plans