Paulo
Costa claims the
Ultimate Fighting Championship is “lost†without Dana
White being more actively involved.

With one fight remaining on his UFC contract, the Brazilian voiced
his frustration in an interview with Sexto Round, saying White is
“greatly missed†in the matchmaking process.

Costa criticizes UFC matchmaking with one fight remaining on
his current contract

Costa said he was ready to compete again shortly after his April
victory and reached out to the UFC in June about potential fights
in July or August. According to the former title challenger, the
promotion told him it had not yet made a decision. “Borrachinhaâ€
believes that the promotion is making mistakes and is failing to
capitalize on key matchups.

“Dana White is greatly missed,†Costa said. “The UFC is lost.
They're making a lot of mistakes because of fear and a lack of
timing. If I said, ‘OK, I don't mind being tied down, being
undervalued and getting paid less than I deserve,' I'd probably be
fighting for the interim title by now. But I think that would be a
mistake. I know UFC champions who make half of what I make.â€

When asked whether he had spoken with Eddie Hearn, Costa confirmed
that he had.

“It was a good conversation and he sent me a proposal to become
part of his management team,†Costa added.

The Brazilian is now seeking a meaningful matchup for the final
fight of his current contract. He broke down the light heavyweight
title mix, highlighting how he, former champ Magomed
Ankalaev and unbeaten contender Navajo
Stirling should be in the running for the rumored interim title
bout, rather than Jiri
Prochazka and Khalil
Rountree.

“I'm coming off a win, Ankalaev is coming off a win and this new
guy Navajo is also coming off a win; Jiri and Khalil are coming off
losses, so let’s see.â€

Some
UFC Sacramento fighters came in substantially heavier on fight
night after rehydrating.

The California State Athletic Commission has revealed the fight
night weights of fighters at UFC Sacramento. One fighter gained
over 25 pounds after weighing in, while the heavyweights on the
card weighed in heavier than their in-cage weight.

Marcio Barbosa jumped from 145.5 to 171 pounds at UFC
Sacramento

Marcio
Barbosa gained the most weight after successfully weighing in
at 145.5 pounds for his featherweight tilt against Ryan Kuse.
Barbosa gained a whopping 25.5 pounds, weighing 171 pounds on fight
night. Meanwhile, Kuse weighed 153.2 pounds, having gained only 8.7
pounds after weighing in at 144.5 pounds. Barbosa made quick work
of Kuse with a first-round knockout.

Elsewhere on the card, Kennedy
Nzechukwu lost 2.4 pounds after weighing in at 244 pounds for
his heavyweight clash against Shamil
Gaziev, who weighed 267.4 pounds on fight night after gaining
6.4 pounds. The Russian knocked Nzechukwu out in the first
round.

Here's a complete list of the fight night weights of UFC Sacramento
fighters:

Gregory
Rodrigues: 185 to 204.4 (19.4 pounds)
Anthony
Hernandez: 186 to 202.2 (16.2 pounds)
Vitor
Petrino: 246 to 252.2 (6.2 pounds)
Serghei
Spivak: 257 to 254.6 (-2.4 pounds)
Roman
Dolidze: 206 to 226.2 (20.2 pounds)
Reinier
de Ridder: 205 to 221.8 (16.8 pounds)
Mason
Jones: 156 to 177.2 (21.2 pounds)
MarQuel
Mederos: 156 to 177.4 (21.4 pounds)
Jeisla
Chaves: 124.5 to 137.4 (12.9 pounds)
Carli
Judice: 125.5 to 136.6 (11.1 pounds)
Terrance
Chatman: 266 to 269.2 (3.2 pounds)
Anthony
Wint: 231 to 232.8 (1.8 pounds)
Lerryan
Douglas: 145.5 to 162.8 (17.3 pounds)
Jamall
Emmers: 143.5 to 156.8 (13.3 pounds)
Shamil
Gaziev: 261 to 267.4 (6.4 pounds)
Kennedy
Nzechukwu: 244 to 241.6 (-2.4 pounds)
Nasrat
Haqparast: 155.5 to 173.4 (17.9 pounds)
Chris
Padilla: 156 to 170.2 (14.2 pounds)
Ryan
Kuse: 144.5 to 153.2 (8.7 pounds)
Marcio
Barbosa: 145.5 to 171 (25.5 pounds)
Stanley
Dorsainvil: 155.5 to 179 (23.5 pounds)
Gauge
Young: 155.5 to 180.2 (24.7 pounds)
Jackson
McVey: 185 to 207.8 (22.8 pounds)
Wesley
Schultz: 186 to 209 (23 pounds)
Elise
Reed: 115 to 125 (10 pounds)
Shanelle
Dyer: 116 to 125 (9 pounds)

Having shared the Octagon with Alexander
Volkanovski twice, Islam
Makhachev's take on the featherweight champ's upcoming title
defense holds considerable weight.

Volkanovski (28-4) is set to put his
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title on the line
against Movsar
Evloev (20-0) at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Makhachev believes it will be a highly competitive bout, which
Evloev is also aware of.

Makhachev backs Movsar Evloev to dethrone Volkanovski at UFC
333

Makhachev predicts that Evloev being five years younger will help
him dethrone the 37-year-old Volkanovski. The UFC welterweight
champ believes that while Volkanovski is still dangerous, he's past
his prime.

“[Movsar] knows himself that the fight won't be easy, that
Volkanovski is a tough opponent for anyone,†Makhachev said at a
recent presser in Russia. “But I think Movsar will manage with his
youth. Volkanovski, honestly speaking, is not at the same peak he
was a couple of years ago. Even though he is still one of the best
fighters. I think it'll be a very competitive fight but I hope
Movsar will do his job.â€

Volkanovski made two unsuccessful bids for the lightweight title
when Makhachev was the champion at 155 pounds. The Australian gave
Makhachev one of the toughest tests of his career in their first
outing in 2023, but suffered a decision loss. Makhachev then
knocked Volkanovski out with a head kick in their rematch later
that year.