White Fires Back At Costa Over Contract Dispute

Dana White says Paulo Costa has declined multiple fight offers after the former middleweight title challenger went public with frustrations about his contract situation.

Costa recently called out UFC exec Hunter Campbell on social media, saying he was offered a short-notice five-round bout for the final fight on his current deal but wants more time to prepare and pay that reflects a 25-minute fight. The Brazilian has asked for his release from the promotion multiple times in recent weeks.

White Responds To Costa Contract Claims

Asked about Costa's comments after Week 7 of Dana White's Contender Series, the UFC president acknowledged the fighter's frustration but pushed back on the narrative. "He's been offered fights and turned them down," White said, per Championship Rounds. "We don't just say, 'f*ck Paulo Costa,' and, 'you're not going to get a fight.' Guys get offered three fights a year regularly, even guys who aren't fighting."

White pointed to heavyweight Tom Aspinall as an example of a sidelined fighter still receiving offers despite injury. Costa had lobbied for an interim light heavyweight title shot while champ Carlos Ulberg recovers from injury, but later claimed the UFC showed no interest. Former champion Magomed Ankalaev called him out most recently.

Costa wrote on social media last week that he has one fight remaining on his contract with a purse set for three rounds, not five, and wants the agreed-upon three-round bout. The middleweight has not fought since his decision win over Robert Whittaker in February.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Dana White fires back at Paulo Costa over UFC fight dispute