Former
Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger Paulo Costa
didn't like the short-notice fight offer against Magomed
Ankalaev.

Ankalaev was originally scheduled to fight Khalil
Rountree in the main event at
UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
However, Rountree pulled out due to an injury and has been replaced
by Uzbek contender Bogdan
Guskov. Costa has now revealed he was in the running to take on
the former light heavyweight champion.

Paulo Costa discusses UFC negotiations and short-notice Abu
Dhabi offer

Costa (16-4) recently revealed that he, too, was approached by the
UFC to replace Rountree against Ankalaev. However, “Borrachinhaâ€
turned down the offer as it was too short notice to fly to Abu
Dhabi for a five-round fight. Costa also claims he was not offered
any extra incentive to accept a tough matchup against a former
champion.

“They called yesterday,†Costa told Ariel Helwani. “But I think
it's so short notice, like less than 14 days, to get a flight to
Abu Dhabi. 16-hour flight to Abu Dhabi, five rounds, for the same
money, and not even for an interim belt. I don’t think this makes
sense right now.â€

Costa has recently been calling out the UFC for not offering him a
fight despite him being ready. The Brazilian believes the
short-notice booking against Ankalaev was offhandedly offered to
him as a result of his recent demands. However, the former UFC
middleweight title challenger didn't like the way the negotiations
were handled. Costa notes that the UFC has often pushed away its
top talents, like former heavyweight champion Francis
Ngannou, due to failed negotiations.

“The way they handled these negotiations, I don't think it's the
best way,†Costa added. “I think they push good talents away from
them. They create a distance; they create beef between fighters and
the guy who negotiates. We have seen this in the past. Francis was
one of these guys. They pushed so hard; they pushed him away and
gave him to big events like MVP.â€

“Hey I have a great deal for you: NON TITLE Fight in 13 days short
notice, Abu Dhabi, 5 rounds , same money, nothing better,†he wrote
on X.

Costa is coming off back-to-back wins over Roman
Kopylov and Azamat
Murzakanov.

Hey I have a great deal for you: NON TITLE
Fight in 13 days short notice , Abu Dhabi, 5 rounds , same money ,
nothing better. 😅

Me: I love u too 🥰 https://t.co/Dn7uYJUuEE

— Paulo
Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA)
July 13, 2026

Conor McGregor is not yet ready to call it a career, it seems. |
📷: Getty/UFC

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Despite his latest injury setback, Conor
McGregor is eager to see out his contract with the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.

McGregor (22-7) returned to action for the first time since 2021 in
a rematch against Max
Holloway at
UFC 329 in Las Vegas. His much-awaited return ended in massive
disappointment as “Notorious†injured his knee with the first kick
he threw. McGregor was barely able to stay upright after the
injury, prompting the referee to call a stop to the contest in just
69 seconds.

Conor McGregor says surgery comes first before he attempts one
last fight under his current UFC deal

With his Octagon return ending in such anticlimactic and
devastating fashion, many believe McGregor won't return to the
Octagon again, especially considering his vast wealth. However, the
former two-division champion seemingly hasn't given up yet. He
recently reiterated his faith in God while revealing his plans.

“My faith is unconditional and I am thankful I get to prove it! My
lifestyle changes are permanent and not just until. I am thankful I
get to prove it,†McGregor wrote on Instagram. “I am in sin city
and remain completely devoid of all sin. I will not open that door
nor crack its seal! I am already back to collecting wins! In Jesus
name I pray! Church was intense today, my heart is heavy but
through Christ my mind is STRONG! I am so grateful to see my family
fall more in love with God each day! I am a child of God. I am a
friend of God. God makes a way for me where there seems to be no
way. I am not a victim of my circumstances, I overcome them. God is
at work in me to will and to work his good pleasure! My youth is
being renewed like the eagles! In Jesus I am thoroughly loved,
cherished, adored. I walk in divine health. I live under
supernatural protection. All things work out for my good! All
things are possible for me because I am a believer!”

The Dubliner claims he wants to undergo surgery before returning to
finish the last remaining fight on his current UFC contract.

“Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again. Final
fight of the contract. Please God! I trust in You Lord! Show me
Your way. Thank You God ðŸ™â€

Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight Cory
Sandhagen's hamstring is a mess after his loss against Mario
Bautista.

Sandhagen (18-7) took on Bautista (18-3) in a bantamweight bout at

UFC 329 in Las Vegas. While they were going toe-to-toe in the
first round, Bautista caught Sandhagen in a kneebar late in the
round, hyperextending his left leg. While “The Sandman†survived
the round, he immediately informed his corner that his leg was
compromised.

Despite Sandhagen's movement being evidently limited, he
surprisingly out-landed Bautista in the second round. The latter
then dropped Sandhagen in the third frame and accumulated control
time to earn a unanimous decision win.

Sandhagen details how a suspected hamstring tear altered his
game plan

Sandhagen has since revealed a gruesome injury to his hamstring
from Bautista's submission attempt. He believes he tore his
hamstring in the opening round, limiting his arsenal for the rest
of the fight. The 34-year-old notes that fighting at the top level
allows little margin of error.

“Frickin bummer man. Losing in fighting is the most embarrassing
thing ever. Sucks,†Sandhagen wrote on Instagram. “Pretty sure the
kneebar tore my hamstring in the first (getting MRI this week). It
kept locking out weird if I did certain things. So that kind of
messed up my game plan. Congrats to Mario. He was well prepared.
1st was close but he won it with that knee bar. 2nd, I won
(surprisingly cause leg was jacked). 3rd, I wanted to have the same
round as before but got dropped. Gotta fight near perfect to win at
the top. Something I need to get better at. Appreciate the love
from you guys. Enjoy your week. Love you. Peace.â€

This was Sandhagen's second loss on the trot, following a failed
title bid against Merab
Dvalishvili this past October. Meanwhile, Bautista has only
lost to Umar
Nurmagomedov in 11 outings since 2022 and has since rebounded
with back-to-back wins.