Magomed Ankalaev tells Paulo Costa: ‘I’m your get-out-of-jail-free card’

Magomed Ankalaev has offered to be Paulo Costa's final fight on his current UFC contract, positioning the matchup as a no-lose scenario for the Brazilian striker amid his ongoing dispute with the promotion.

Costa is locked in a contract dispute with the UFC after being offered a short-notice five-round main event fight with no additional compensation. While he's willing to fight five rounds, Costa has insisted on proper notice and extra pay befitting a 25-minute bout. He has also publicly criticized UFC executive Hunter Campbell and repeatedly requested his release, frustrating the promotion over the last fight remaining on his deal.

Ankalaev, a former light heavyweight champion, sees the matchup as an opportunity to help Costa escape his contract mess while entering free agency on a winning note. "You beat me, you become a free agent and make millions," Ankalaev wrote on X. "I beat you, everybody expected me to beat you anyway. You have nothing to lose. I'm your get-out-of-jail-free card. Let's fight."

The former champ frames it as a win-win for Costa but acknowledges he stands to gain little; as the favorite, a victory would be expected and unlikely to elevate his status. Still, Ankalaev is willing to take the fight. Costa arrives off back-to-back finishes, while Ankalaev recently returned to winning ways against Bogdan Guskov following his title rematch loss to Alex Pereira.