Costa On UFC Being Lost Without White

Paulo Costa says the UFC is making mistakes without Dana White being more involved in matchmaking.

The Brazilian middleweight, who has one fight remaining on his current contract, aired his frustrations in a Sexto Round interview carried by Sherdog. Costa says he contacted the promotion in June about fighting in July or August after his April win but was told no decision had been made.

Costa Says UFC Missing Key Matchups

Costa believes the promotion is failing to capitalize on meaningful fights. "Dana White is greatly missed," he said. "The UFC is lost. They're making a lot of mistakes because of fear and a lack of timing."

He added that if he accepted being undervalued, he would likely be fighting for an interim title by now. Costa also confirmed speaking with Eddie Hearn, who sent him a proposal to join Hearn's management roster.

The former title challenger wants his final contracted bout to be significant. He pointed to the light heavyweight division, where he believes he, former champion Magomed Ankalaev, and unbeaten Navajo Stirling should be in the interim title mix instead of Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree, both coming off losses.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Paulo Costa says UFC is ‘lost’ without Dana White more involved