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However, Rountree pulled out due to an injury and has been replaced
by Uzbek contender Bogdan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

Dustin
Poirier continues teasing a return to the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Poirier hung up his gloves following a loss to Max
Holloway last year. “The Diamond†has since repeatedly admitted
that he dearly misses fighting. He even says he would consider
returning to the Octagon for the right matchup.

Meanwhile, Poirier's former rival Conor
McGregor returned to the Octagon after five years against
Holloway at
UFC 329 in Las Vegas. The fight ended in a first-round stoppage
loss for McGregor after he blew out his knee throwing a jumping
head kick.

Dustin Poirier says a welterweight fight with Conor McGregor
could bring him back to the UFC

While McGregor claims he intends to complete the last fight
remaining on his UFC contract, Poirier is willing to end his
retirement for a fourth outing against the Dubliner. Furthermore,
Poirier is also open to moving up to welterweight to fight
McGregor, as their previous bouts were at featherweight and
lightweight.

“Whenever he is healed up, hit me up, Conor,†Poirier said on the
UFC's “Deep Waters†podcast. “I’ll come back and whip you again. I
would come back to whip him again. At 170.â€

Poirier (30-10) suffered a first-round stoppage loss against
McGregor (22-7) in their first outing, at featherweight, in 2014.
He exacted revenge by knocking out McGregor in their lightweight
rematch in 2021. The two met in a rubber match later that year,
where McGregor broke his leg, leading to a stoppage loss.

While McGregor was sidelined since then, Poirier went 2-4 against
elite opponents, also making two failed bids for the lightweight
title before retiring.

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

---

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€