Dana White responds to Paulo Costa contract ultimatum

UFC CEO Dana White has responded to an ultimatum issued by fighter Paulo Costa regarding his remaining contract. Costa, currently competing in the light heavyweight division, has one bout left on his deal and has publicly proposed three options to UFC matchmaker Hunter Campbell: receive a three-round fight with any opponent on the roster, accept a five-round fight if his purse is increased accordingly, or be released from his contract immediately.

White dismissed Costa’s claims of unfair treatment, stating that the fighter has actually turned down fight offers. White noted that fighters regularly receive multiple offers per year and cited injured fighters like Tom Aspinall as examples of athletes who continue to receive fight offers despite being unable to compete. Costa has used social media to argue that his current contract purse is set for three rounds rather than five, leading to the dispute over fight length and compensation.