Prochazka Calls Out Costa Over Stalled Fight

Jiri Prochazka says the UFC has offered him a fight with Paulo Costa for October or November, but the Brazilian is refusing to sign.

The former heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion posted a video over the weekend telling Costa to stop mentioning him on social media unless he plans to take the fight, per MMA Fighting. "Don't tag me, don't mention me in your posts, because you have an offer from UFC to fight me October or November, and if you don't want to fight me, don't mention me, don't speak about me," Prochazka said.

Costa Denies Fight Offer From UFC

Costa fired back on social media, claiming no such offer exists. The Brazilian said nobody has mentioned Prochazka's name to him and told the Czech fighter to "go back to doing that weird thing of yours." Costa moved up to heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight at UFC 327 in April, stopping previously undefeated Azamat Murzakanov in the third round on the same card where Prochazka lost his vacant title fight to Carlos Ulberg by knockout.

Since that night, Costa has been campaigning for a title shot, saying he wants to save the division from boring fighters like former champion Magomed Ankalaev. Prochazka has not competed since the Ulberg loss and is waiting for the contract he says UFC offered him.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Jiri Prochazka calls out Paulo Costa beef over possible fight: ‘I’m waiting for the contract’