Magomed Ankalaev open to Paulo Costa fight next, ‘unless he’s going to be running away’
UFC fighter Magomed Ankalaev has expressed interest in a potential bout with Paulo Costa following a lackluster performance in his recent main event. The potential matchup is being discussed as a way to keep the light heavyweight division active while the champion recovers from injury.
Why it matters
This highlights the internal dynamics and matchmaking strategies within professional mixed martial arts organizations.
Magomed Ankalaev wants to fight for a UFC title again, but he’s willing to settle for a grudge match with Paulo Costa.
“Borrachinha” let his feelings be known about Saturday’s lackluster UFC Abu Dhabi main event, which saw Ankalaev dominate a monotonous fight against Bogdan Guskov before finishing in the fifth round. Much of the headlining bout—including the anticlimactic finish—was met with a chilly reception from the fans at Etihad Arena, and Costa echoed those sentiments on social media with a scathing comment:
[Media: https://twitter.com/BorrachinhaMMA/status/2081095311133639165]
“By the power of the Almighty, I shall save this weight class from monotony and boredom,” Costa wrote.
Ankalaev was asked about the comment at the UFC Abu Dhabi post-fight press conference and he welcomed the chance to silence Costa.
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