{
  "id": 11494386,
  "title": "Paulo Costa Eyes Shocking Heavyweight Debut for Final Fight on UFC Contract",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/paulo-costa-eyes-shocking-heavyweight-debut-for-final-fight-on-ufc",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T17:54:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/paulo-costa-eyes-shocking-heavyweight-175426254.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Paulo Costa, the Brazilian mixed martial artist, has been struggling to secure another fight after his five-month hiatus. Despite his frustration, Costa has expressed his willingness to make his heavyweight debut to potentially escape his UFC contract. Recently, Costa called out Sergei Pavlovich, a heavyweight contender, on social media, suggesting a three-round fight if his demands are met. Costa believes the money should reflect a five-round bout if the UFC wants him to compete at that length. This move comes amid rumors that Alex Pereira and Pavlovich may face each other next, with both fighters hinting at fight news. Dana White has confirmed that the UFC will announce Costa's next fight during the UFC 332 KICK stream. If Pereira and Pavlovich do not fight, Costa believes he could be a viable option. However, Costa's request is ambitious, given the significant weight difference between him and Pavlovich. The Russian has spent his entire UFC career fighting at 265 pounds, while Costa spent most of his career at middleweight. Costa's attempt to make such a major weight jump on short notice could backfire, as seen with Alex Pereira when he was stopped in the second round by Stipe Miocic at UFC Freedom 250. Despite Dana White refuting Costa's claims, stating that every fighter, including Costa, has been offered three fights per year, Costa's pursuit to break free from his UFC contract could become more complicated in the days ahead.",
  "summary": "In an attempt to get out of his current UFC deal, Paulo Costa has offered to face Sergei Pavlovich at heavyweight in the next six weeks.",
  "key_points": [
    "Paulo Costa seeks heavyweight debut to break UFC contract.",
    "Costa challenges Sergei Pavlovich, a 265-pound heavyweight.",
    "Dana White confirms next fight announcement at UFC 332 KICK."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}