Overview
- Magomed Ankalaev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, publicly pushed the UFC to book Ankalaev against Paulo Costa and said the promotion offered the fight to Ankalaev three times.
- Ankalaev preserved his contender status with a fifth‑round TKO of Bogdan Guskov in Abu Dhabi in late July, a win that drew praise for the result and criticism for low action.
- Paulo Costa moved up to light heavyweight and earned a high‑profile TKO of Azamat Murzakanov in April, which fast‑tracked him into title conversations despite limited activity at 205 pounds.
- Reports that champion Carlos Ulberg is sidelined by ACL surgery into 2027 have left the division without a clear next step and increased calls for either an interim title or an interim‑level contender bout.
- Ongoing public lobbying by managers like Abdelaziz is shaping matchmaking pressure and could force the UFC to choose between a merit‑based order and a commercially driven fight that keeps top names active.