{"id":681079,"date":"2026-05-19T15:56:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T15:56:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/681079\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T15:56:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T15:56:13","slug":"ufc-star-proposes-release-from-ufc-contract-to-pursue-netflix-mma-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/681079\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Star Proposes Release From UFC Contract to Pursue Netflix MMA Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5e\">UFC star and newly-ranked light heavyweight contender Paulo Costa has outlined some interesting options for his next fight. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5h\">A former middleweight title challenger, Costa moved up to 205 lbs. to meet Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-327-jiri-prochazka-vs-carlos-ulberg-free-live-stream-results-highlights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">handed the previously-undefeated Russian his first loss <\/a>by finishing him with strikes in the third round.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5k\">The upset-victory vaulted Costa into the light heavyweight Top 10, and he currently also still holds a #14 ranking in the UFC middleweight division as well. <\/p>\n<p>Paulo Costa Outlines &#8220;3 Options&#8221; For Next Fight<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5q\">Costa is always active on social media and recently outlined three potential options for his next fight, none of which include him competing in the light heavyweight division. <\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I have 3 options right now at ufc : <br \/>1. Fight for 185 belt &#8211; Strickland rematch <br \/>2 .fight at heavyweight weight Hokit<br \/>3 . Ask for ufc release me of my last fight contract and go face Mike \u201cThe Platinum\u201d Perry at Netflix .<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Paulo Costa (@BorrachinhaMMA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BorrachinhaMMA\/status\/2056543641082933579?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">May 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5w\">\u201cI have 3 options right now at ufc : 1. Fight for 185 belt &#8211; Strickland rematch 2 .fight at heavyweight weight Hokit 3 . Ask for ufc release me of my last fight contract and go face Mike \u201cThe Platinum\u201d Perry at Netflix .\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5z\">Following his win over Murzakanov, Costa <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-star-paulo-costa-replace-derrick-lewis-fight-josh-hokit-ufc-white-house\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">was quick to suggest that the UFC should have him replace Derrick Lewis <\/a>on the upcoming White House card and face Josh Hokit, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/polarizing-ufc-heavyweight-josh-hokit-cuts-cringeworthy-ufc-white-house-promo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">who was unexpectedly booked to meet Lewis at \u201cUFC Freedom 250\u201d<\/a> after he defeated Curtis Blaydes as part of the UFC 327 main card.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01ks0as4vg05g1apa10f.jpg\" alt=\"Josh Hokit (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Curtis Blaydes (red gloves) during UFC 327 at Kaseya Center.\" title=\"Josh Hokit (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Curtis Blaydes (red gloves) during UFC 327 at Kaseya Center.\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"69\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Josh Hokit (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Curtis Blaydes (red gloves) during UFC 327 at Kaseya Center. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Could &#8220;The Eraser&#8221; Jump the Line for Sean Strickland Rematch?<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6g\">A jump up to the heavyweight division seems like it might be a big step for Costa given that the Brazilian has spent almost his entire career competing at 185 lbs., and the suggestion that the UFC might release him to go and fight Mike Perry also seems unlikely at this stage. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01ks0atjqz6ptf5b9wjq.jpg\" alt=\"Paulo Costa (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Azamat Murzakanov (red gloves) during UFC 327 at Kaseya Center.\" title=\"Paulo Costa (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Azamat Murzakanov (red gloves) during UFC 327 at Kaseya Center.\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"6q\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Paulo Costa (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Azamat Murzakanov (red gloves) during UFC 327 at Kaseya Center. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6u\">Last weekend\u2019s MMA slate saw the UFC hold <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-fight-night-arnold-allen-vs-melquizael-costa-free-live-stream-results-highlights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">a relatively low-profile UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas<\/a> ahead of a rare off week, and that card went head-to-head with MVP MMA 1 on Saturday night. Airing live on Netflix, MVP MMA 1 was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ronda-rousey-vs-gina-carano-fight-night-weights-fighter-gained-nearly-30-pounds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">built around a main event between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano <\/a>that saw \u201cRowdy\u201d submit Carano in just 17 seconds. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01ks0aw45d37sp3zeqc1.jpg\" alt=\"Mike Perry (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Nate Diaz (blue gloves) in a welterweight bout at Intuit Dome.\" title=\"Mike Perry (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Nate Diaz (blue gloves) in a welterweight bout at Intuit Dome.\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"74\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mike Perry (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Nate Diaz (blue gloves) in a welterweight bout at Intuit Dome. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"78\">The card also featured a welterweight co-headliner between former UFC stars Mike Perry and Nate Diaz. That fight ended after the second round, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/mvp-mma-1-ronda-rousey-vs-gina-carano-free-live-stream-results-highlights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">with Perry getting his hand raised via doctor\u2019s stoppage<\/a> after \u201cPlatinum\u201d cut up Diaz\u2019s head and face with elbows. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01ks0ax35kzbgqaa8wf2.jpg\" alt=\"Sean Strickland (red gloves) fights Paulo Costa (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. \" title=\"Sean Strickland (red gloves) fights Paulo Costa (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. \" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7i\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sean Strickland (red gloves) fights Paulo Costa (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center.  | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7m\">Currently-retired UFC legend Jon Jones also suggested he\u2019d like to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-legend-jon-jones-says-quiet-part-out-loud-about-francis-ngannou-fight-interest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">released from his UFC contract in order to face Francis Ngannou<\/a> following the former UFC heavyweight champion\u2019s win at MVP MMA 1, but the most realistic of the three options Costa proposed looks like it may be a rematch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-328-khamzat-chimaev-vs-sean-strickland-free-live-stream-results-highlights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">with recently-crowned two-time UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/>Add us as a preferred source on Google<a aria-label=\"Follow si.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\">Follow<\/a><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"UFC star and newly-ranked light heavyweight contender Paulo Costa has outlined some interesting options for his next fight.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":681080,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[570],"tags":[64,63,786,785,85],"class_list":["post-681079","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mma","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-fighting","tag-mma","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681079","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=681079"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681079\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/681080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=681079"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=681079"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=681079"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}