Paulo Costa has stated he desires to maintain his choices open as his contract with the UFC ends, together with a doable matchup with Mike Perry if MVP is keen to make it occur. In a latest interview, Costa stated Perry would transfer up his catchweight to round 84kg, saying “it will be an ideal battle,” however that he was in no rush to resume except the supply was proper.
UFC future stays unsure, however Paulo Costa opens door to battle towards Mike Perry
Costa’s feedback arrive at a second when he is already speaking about what’s subsequent, with eyes on Netflix’s MVP towards Mike Perry. In an unique interview with Lowkick MMA in collaboration with Evaluate.guess, Paulo Costa defined:
“There is a weight distinction, however I feel I may battle (Mike Perry) at about 84 kilograms. Mike Perry has KO’d lots of people, each in BKFC and blended martial arts. He is reinvented himself. I might like to have that battle. I do not know if the UFC will let me try this proper now. I am speaking to the UFC to determine what the following battle can be, however I wish to preserve my choices open.”
“He nonetheless has one recreation left on his contract, however he hasn’t renewed it but. It is not in my curiosity to resume proper now except an ideal supply comes alongside. It is unnecessary to replace only for the sake of updating. There’s additionally the problem of contract size. Contracts expire not solely by variety of video games, but additionally by time. If I bear in mind appropriately, my contract interval resulted in March. It is perhaps empty by the point of the following recreation, so I have to examine fastidiously.“
“I’ve yet one more battle left on this contract,” he stated, including that he want to see how the negotiations go earlier than signing a brand new contract. He additionally stated, “The UFC was already considering renewing my contract, and I am wanting into whether or not or to not signal one other contract after which sit down and negotiate,” suggesting that his subsequent reserving may form each his future and his negotiating place.
On Twitter he added:
“The UFC has three choices proper now: 1. Struggle for the 185 belt – Strickland rematch.
2. Struggle as a heavyweight hokit
3. Ask the UFC to launch his final battle contract and let him face Mike “The Platinum” Perry on Netflix…
Mike Perry is my favourite match to this point.”
That is the place Mike Perry’s concept will get loads of consideration. Costa known as Perry “an ideal battle,” saying Perry “has knocked out lots of people” in BKFC and blended martial arts, including that Perry “reinvented himself.”
Costa additionally made it clear that he has no intention of giving up leverage simply to remain busy. “It is not in my curiosity to resume proper now except I get an ideal supply,” he stated, including, “There is not any level in renewing only for renewal’s sake.” He additional acknowledged that contract size was a part of the issue, explaining that contracts may expire primarily based on time in addition to variety of matches, claiming: “If I bear in mind appropriately, my contract expired in March,” however stated he wanted to ensure of that.
UFC contracts are sometimes tied to each the quantity and timing of fights, and if the calendar expires earlier than a battle begins, a fighter may grow to be a free agent before followers anticipated. Costa’s feedback are consistent with his longstanding stance on the promotion. He has beforehand stated he desires higher phrases and has beforehand talked about exploring life after the UFC as soon as his contract ends. However for now, his newest feedback recommend a easy place: One other battle within the UFC is a risk, however he is already contemplating a wider vary of choices.
Costa entered the dialog after a powerful run within the UFC, defeating Roman Kopylov in July 2025 and stopping Azamat Murzakhanov with a third-round knockout at UFC 327 in April 2026, which improved his standing in two weight divisions. In the meantime, Perry continued to work exterior of the UFC, constructing a reputation for himself with BKFC. He gained recognition because of his knockout wins and his victory over Jeremy Stevens at BKFC 82 in October 2025. Most not too long ago, Perry defeated Nate Diaz for MVP dwell on Netflix.
On the middle of all it is a fighter making an attempt to place his final powers to good use. Costa’s stance has been easy, and his record of targets is broader than the usual UFC path would recommend, with Mike Perry additionally a part of the dialog. His subsequent transfer will inform the story, whether or not it is a UFC battle, a brand new contract, or a shot exterior the cage like MVP on Netflix.
