Paulo Costa gives UFC 3 options in contract standoff

Paulo Costa has issued an ultimatum to UFC management, laying out three options to resolve a contract standoff over his final fight on his current deal.

Costa (16–4) claims the UFC has been stalling his last matchup and insists his contract specifies a three-round bout, not a five-rounder. The light heavyweight, fresh off back-to-back finishes of Roman Kopylov and Azamat Murzakanov, posted a detailed message on social media directly addressing UFC executive Hunter Campbell.

According to Costa, the three options are: (A) book him a three-round fight against any opponent on the UFC light heavyweight roster as originally agreed; (B) offer him a five-round main card bout against any light heavyweight with six weeks' notice and a pay increase to match the additional round; or (C) release him from his contract outright. Costa emphasized that either option A or B would be acceptable if the terms are honored.

"OK, I'm making this public and clear: I have 1 fight left," Costa wrote. "On my contract, the purse is set for 3 rounds, not 5. I'm asking for the 3-round fight that was already agreed on contract."

This dispute follows Costa's campaign for an interim title shot at UFC 332, which the promotion declined. The public statement suggests Costa is willing to fight but demands either contractual clarity or financial compensation for any deviation from the original agreement. Such standoffs are relatively common in MMA when fighters and promotions disagree over bout terms, purse structure, or scheduling.