Magomed Ankalaev is eager to return to title contention, but if a championship opportunity isn’t available anytime soon, he’s more than willing to settle a growing rivalry with Paulo Costa.
Fresh off a fifth-round stoppage victory over Bogdan Guskov in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event, Ankalaev bounced back in impressive fashion after losing the UFC light heavyweight title to Alex Pereira at UFC 320. While the defeat marked just the second loss of his professional MMA career, the Dagestani standout wasted no time getting back into the win column.
With UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg sidelined due to a torn ACL and targeting a return in early 2027, uncertainty continues to surround the division. As a result, discussions about an interim title fight have intensified, and Paulo Costa has been one of the loudest voices calling for an opportunity.
Speaking at the UFC Abu Dhabi post-fight press conference, Magomed Ankalaev admitted he would welcome a fight against Costa if Ulberg’s absence drags on longer than expected.
“I’m already the No. 1 contender, but as we know in this division right now our champion is hurt,” Ankalaev said. “We don’t know when he’s going to come back, so if he’s going to take a long time to come back, I would like to stay active.
“I believe I saw something or heard something that Costa wrote something in my direction. I’m not sure what he was trying to say, whether he was trying to bother me or get my attention. If the champion is going to be out for a little while, then potentially maybe we can have a good fight with Costa, unless he’s going to be running away.”
Costa recently stirred the pot after criticizing Ankalaev’s performance against Guskov. Despite securing a dominant win and late finish, the fight received a mixed reaction from fans inside the Etihad Arena. Costa took to social media afterward and didn’t hold back.
“By the power of the Almighty, I shall save this weight class from monotony and boredom.”
The Brazilian’s comments quickly caught Ankalaev’s attention, and the former champion appears more than willing to respond inside the Octagon.
“Obviously, if Paulo Costa wants to do it, and if the UFC says that’s a possibility, I would happily be the one to fight here in Abu Dhabi in October,” Ankalaev said.
“I always want to show exciting fights. I always want to put on entertaining performances for the fans. But it seems like when people see me standing in front of them, they start running away. Then I have to be the one chasing them.
“Sometimes fights don’t turn out the way I want them to. But if Paulo Costa wants to stand in front of me and trade, we can definitely stand and bang here in Abu Dhabi.”
Costa has revitalized his career since moving up to light heavyweight. The former middleweight title challenger scored a stunning third-round head-kick knockout over Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327, extending his winning streak to two and putting himself firmly in the 205-pound title conversation.
With the UFC officially announcing its return to Abu Dhabi for UFC 333 on October 24, a clash between Magomed Ankalaev and Costa could make perfect sense while the division waits for Ulberg’s return.
Ankalaev also made it clear that he hasn’t forgotten about unfinished business with Alex Pereira. Their championship rivalry is tied at one win apiece, and the Russian contender remains interested in a trilogy fight should Pereira return to light heavyweight.
“One more thing I’d like to say before I forget,” Ankalaev said. “There is somebody there who calls himself ‘Chama’ that put a picture of me up and said something like, ‘What? Are you still alive?’
“Well, if he wants to come down here and take this fight, I’m sure the UFC would be very happy to make it happen.”
For now, Magomed Ankalaev remains focused on staying active. Whether it’s a title fight, an interim championship bout, Paulo Costa, or a trilogy clash with Alex Pereira, the former UFC champion wants to keep moving forward while the light heavyweight division sorts itself out.
